Fabio Capello takes charge of his first game as coach of the English national football team, a first step that long suffering England fans will hope leads to glory at the World Cup in 2010. That goal is a long way over the horizon, with qualification not beginning until September, so this game serves as a chance for Capello get to grips with his players, while for opponents Switzerland it is an important warm-up for Euro 2008. As co-hosts the Swiss avoided the rigours of qualification, but will lack the sharpness that truly competitive games provide, and in this particular circumstance will encounter an intense atmosphere at a packed Wembley Stadium welcoming its new messiah.
One player the Swiss definitely won’t face is David Beckham, who has been denied his 100th cap due to a lack of match fitness. Becks was omitted from Capello’s 23 man squad, which included few other surprises. Capello is without Chelsea duo of Frank Lampard and John Terry, so will have to pass the captain’s armband on. Switzerland coach, coach Jakob Kuhn is without the services of experienced strikers, Marco Streller and Alexander Frei, blooding 19 year old Eren Derdiyok, who has only played at under-21 level. The Swiss are 21.89 outsiders with PinnacleSports.com for Euro 2008, and would be much longer were it not for home support and kind draw. The teams were drawn together in the group stages of Euro 2004 when England were easy 3-0 winners, and the last time Switzerland won this fixture was in 1947. PinnacleSports make England favourites 1.917 (-1) with Switzerland 2.010 (+1) – a market priced to less than 102%.
