England - Switzerland: Waiting for the "Three Lions" to transform

England is the strangest team since the beginning of Euro 2024, when receiving a lot of criticism despite maintaining an unbeaten record and reaching the quarter-finals. The "Three Lions" won Group C after consecutively beating Serbia 1-0, drawing Denmark 1-1, Slovenia 0-0, but Southgate was still booed and criticized for his unconvincing play.

The Three Lions continued to be lackluster and were led 0-1 by Slovakia until the end of regulation time in the round of 16. It was not until the fifth minute of injury time that Jude Bellingham shone with a diving header to equalize, sending the match into extra time. With 94 minutes and 34 seconds, Bellingham's goal was England's latest goal in regulation time at the Euro and was also the Three Lions' first shot on target in the match.

Thirty seconds into the first period of extra time, Harry Kane headed home his second shot on target to seal a 2-1 win. Rare moments of brilliance from Bellingham and Kane kept England's title ambitions alive in Germany, and perhaps saved Southgate's job.

Despite criticism throughout his tenure - which began in September 2016 - Southgate remains the most successful manager in England's history. By overcoming Slovakia, the Three Lions reached the quarter-finals of four major tournaments in a row for the first time (World Cup and Euro).

A personal milestone awaits Southgate at the Dusseldorf Arena today, as he becomes the third England manager to reach 100 internationals. The previous two, Walter Winterbottom, drew 3-3 with Northern Ireland in 1958, and Alf Ramsey beat Wales 1-0 in 1972, reached the milestone.

As a team, England are also aiming for another milestone by becoming the sixth European team to win 50 victories at major tournaments, after Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Personnel selection continues to be Southgate's biggest problem. Left-back Luke Shaw is not yet in the best shape to start. Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka have both been disappointing since the start of the season. Meanwhile, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer have yet to have a chance to start at Euro 2024.

According to British media, Southgate is planning a "revolution", abandoning the familiar 4-2-3-1 system to play with three defenders for the first time at Euro 2024. Kyle Walker moves into central defence alongside John Stones and Ezri Konsa, who replaces the suspended Marc Guehi. Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka will play on the wings. Trippier is creating more chances (7) and passing through the opposition defence (6) than any other England player at Euro 2024.

In contrast to England, Switzerland have been one of the most impressive teams since Euro 2024 began. In the group stage, Yakin's team beat Hungary 3-1, then drew 1-1 with Scotland and hosts Germany.

In the round of 16, Switzerland made an even stronger impression when they defeated Euro 2020 champions Italy with a 2-0 result. This victory took Switzerland to the quarter-finals and repeated their best performance in the history of the Euros. Three years ago, under coach Vladimir Petković, they also beat highly rated opponents France in the round of 16 to reach the Euro quarter-finals. This year, under coach Murat Yakin, Switzerland aims to surpass the historical threshold.

Unlike England, Switzerland have no problem scoring goals and can do so from almost every position. Seven Swiss players have scored at Euro 2024 - their most at a major tournament. Xherdan Shaqiri, Dan Ndoye, Kwadwo Duah, Breel Embolo and Michel Aebischer scored in the group stage, before Remo Freluer and Ruben Vargas struck in the last 16 to make Italy the reigning champions.

This will be the fourth time England have met Switzerland at a major tournament and the third time at the European Championships. The Three Lions have a superior head-to-head record, winning 2-0 at the 1954 World Cup and 3-0 at Euro 2004, as well as a 1-1 draw at Wembley in the opening game of the 1996 tournament.

Head-to-head in all competitions, England also dominate Switzerland, winning 17, drawing six and losing just one of their last 24 encounters. The Three Lions are unbeaten in 13 matches, winning nine and drawing four, since losing 1-2 to Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier in May 1981.

Therefore, supercomputerOptaEngland are rated as favourites with a 44.6% chance of winning after 90 minutes - compared to Switzerland's 26.5%. Taking into account the possibility of extra time and penalties, England have a 65.1% chance of progressing - compared to Switzerland's 34.9%.

Also according toOpta, among the teams that have reached the quarter-finals, England is the second favorite to win the championship with 19.9%, behind Spain (20%). In contrast, Switzerland has only a 5% chance of making history at Euro 2024.

Expected lineup:

Older brother: Pickford, Trippier, Konsa, Stones, Walker, Rice, Mainoo, Foden, Bellingham, Saka, Kane

Switzerland: Sommer, Rodriguez, Schar, Akanji, Ndoye, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer, Rieder, Vargas, Embolo.