Euro 2016: Poland face Switzerland, Wales face Northern Ireland

Poland face Switzerland in the last 16 tie. File Pic
Poland face Switzerland in the last 16 tie. File Pic

Internet Desk: Robert Lewandowski will be looking to end his goal drought for Poland against Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2016 in St Etienne on Saturday.

The Bayern Munich striker made it six successive matches without scoring when he failed to find the net in Poland’s final group game against Ukraine.

Lewandowski says Switzerland are the favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, consequently giving his side underdog status.

There are no new injury concerns for Switzerland, for whom highly-rated youngster Breel Embolo is expected to start again.

Midfielder Bartosz Kapustka is suspended for Poland after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Ukraine.

Lukasz Fabianski is set to continue in goal as Wojciech Szczesny remains out with a thigh injury.

Poland finished second in Group C behind Germany while Switzerland were runners-up to France in Group A.

Both sides have struggled for goals, scoring only twice each in their three group matches.

Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri is yet to shine for Switzerland, although head coach Vladimir Petkovic is unconcerned.

The winner of the tie will face either Croatia or Portugal in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Wales and Northern face a battle of Britain at Euro 2016 after both impressing to qualify for the last 16 of the tournament.

Chris Coleman’s Dragons surprised everybody by finishing above England in Group B with six points from three games – and that’s despite losing 2-1 to the Three Lions in their second match of the competition.

Michael O’Neill’s side left it a little later than Wales to qualify, reaching the last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides having been pipped to an automatic spot by Group C rivals Germany and Poland.

The two British nations also happen to find themselves on the favourable side of the last-16 draw, with a run to the final entirely possible if they can beat their neighbours.