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Switzerland v Portugal

by Obi-Akpere | June 14, 2008 at 06:53 pm | 402 views | 1 comment

Switzerland and Portugal have met each other 19 times before, with Switzerland holding the upper hand with eight wins against six victories for Portugal. Five matches have finished in a draw.

In nine competitive matches (World Cup and European Championship qualifiers), Switzerland have won twice, Portugal have won three times and four matches have been drawn.

This will be their first encounter at a major tournament. Their last meeting came in a World Cup qualifier on 13 October 1993, when Portugal won 1-0 at home, courtesy of Joao Vieira Pinto's winning goal.

Switzerland will be playing for pride against Portugal in their final Group A game after the hosts failed to qualify.

Home striker Eren Derdiyok picked up a slight ankle injury in the defeat by Turkey - their second in the tournament - so Daniel Gygax stands by to start.

With Portugal having secured top place in the group, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to rotate the squad.

Seven changes are likely - two in the back four, four in midfield and Hugo Almeida partnering Nuno