Euro 2016 Preview - Group A: Switzerland

Next up, it's the neutral, multilingual cousins over the border - Switzerland:

Nickname: "Schweizer Pati"

Absurd FIFA ranking: 14th

Coach: Croat supremo Vladimir Petkovic

Match Schedule: 

June 11 - Switzerland v. Albania (Lens, 9am EST, ESPN)
June 15 - Switzerland v. Romania (Paris, 12pm, ESPN)
June 19 - Switzerland v. France (Lille, 3pm, ESPN)

Prospects: The Swiss public's expectations are low going into this tournament, as Petkovic took over from the extremely popular Ottmar Hitzfeld, who led the Swiss in Brasil 2014. Petkovic has already ruffled feathers by excluding influential ex-captain Gokhan Inler for not playing for his club regularly. Yet, the Swiss could surprise a few, as the ultra defensive Hitzfeld has given way to some decent football in recent months. Switzerland will likely be well organized and tidy in the middle of the park, without a lot of punch up front. It should just be enough to get them into the Round of 16 given the low quality of the group, but they'll get knocked out by the first good side they meet.

Key Player: Classy playmaker Xheridan Shaqiri has done the impossible - made Mark Hughes' Stoke City side a team worth watching.

Youngster to Watch: Speedy 19 year old Basel winger Breel Embolo won't start in but could make an impact off the bench.

Who Will Get the Goals: Borussia Monchengladbach midfield Granit Xhaka chips in with some vital goals for the side.

Who Will Get the Cards: Watford chopper Valon Behrami is always looking for a booking.

Prediction: Just enough to fend off Romania for second place in the group. Out to Ukraine in the Round of 16. This might be seen as relative success in the land of clocks.