The fans in France won't be overly thrilled with the difficulty the team has had in getting its first six points on Euro 2016, but it's tough to argue with the end results. Les Bleus have taken the maximum share of the spoils from each of their group stage matches, and they'll look to make it a perfect 3-for-3 against Switzerland to wrap up Group A play on Sunday night.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Switzerland +400
France +100
Draw +210
Over/Under 2.5 (under -135)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Even though France is expected to win this match, the +100 price on its head isn't all that convincing. It's tough to argue with the oddsmakers, though. Les Bleus haven't been as good as many suspected they'd be in spite of their six points, and they know they're going to win Group A with a win or a draw against a significantly lesser team. Motivation can't be that high.
The total also reflects a match which could end up being a little on the drab side. The number to beat is 2.5 with -135 vig on the under, and though that's a little higher than what we're used to seeing, it's still low for the last match of the group stage at this level.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
The fact of the matter is that it's not just France who has little to play for on Sunday. Switzerland is already into the last 16 as well, and even if it loses this match, there's still a good chance it'll end up finishing second in the group with Romania playing against Albania in a match running concurrently.
Though there's a big difference of who you play in the Round of 16 between finishing first (a third place team), second (likely Poland) or third (a first place team), neither of these managers are likely to be all that concerned.
France has wins against Albania and Romania to its credit, and it's sporting a +3 mark in goal difference. Switzerland held off Albania after scoring early on and managed to come from behind to pick up a point against Romania on Wednesday.
LIVE BETTING
Are the Swiss ever going to work their problems out at the back? Stepan Lichtsteiner has found himself flat-footed too many times in this tournament, and he was the guilty party which allowed Romania to get on the board via a PK early on in the second group stage match. Before that, he was one of the men caught napping when Albania had a ball slotted through the defense in what should've been the equalizing moment in a match that otherwise should've been put away quite a ways earlier.
Switzerland might not have been punished against Romania and Albania, but when you've got some combination of Olivier Giroud, Dimitri Payet, Paul Pogba, Thomas Griezmann and Anthony Martial on the pitch, you're not going to get away from errors.
QUICK PICK
As long as the French care to take the three points from this match, we suspect they're going to get it. Generating offensive chances hasn't been problematic for a team which has four goals to its credit and could have several more. Finishing has been an issue at times, and set pieces haven't always looked the most clinical, but the Swiss defense is just what the doctor ordered to see.
Keep an eye on the lineup selections for sure. Didier Deschamps surprised most by leaving Griezmann and Pogba on his bench against Albania, and it showed in the first half when the run of play was rather suspect. If this is a lesser lineup, we'd want a better price than +100 on our side, though it isn't going to change the fact that we think Les Bleus are headed for their seventh, eighth and ninth points of Euro 2016.
Euro 2016 Odds: France 2, Switzerland 0
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The fixture between Switzerland and France will take place on Sunday, June 19, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
