Granit Xhaka averages 1.15 fouls per 90 minutes over the past few international seasons and hit four fouls and picked up a yellow card against Germany in the last group stage game. He has also committed at least one foul in nine of his last 11 appearances. Italy are also the 3rd-most fouled team in the competition, with 39 fouls drawn in their 3 games so far, an average of 13 per game. Barring injury, Xhaka will be expected to play the full 90 minutes and his performance will be key in the midfield battle against the Italians.

Bologna’s Dan Ndoye has been lively so far in this Euros. He hit two shots in his 65-minute run-out against Germany, four against Scotland and three against Hungary.

He is finding spaces for opportunities and this Italian backline does allow chances. Gianluigi Donnarumma has made the joint-fourth highest number of saves in the competition, with 12 so far.

Although it could work both ways, Ndoye plying his trade in Italy’s Serie A means he’ll be familiar with a lot of the opposition and could cause the Azzurri a lot of problems if he’s given the service, or able to cut in and create for himself.

Embolo has been sorely missed for Switzerland, having been out through a cruciate ligament injury since the beginning of last season until late March. His bad luck continued with muscular problems which meant he missed the run-up to the Euros. He looks like he’s close to full fitness now and has made an impact already.

In a 30-minute run out against the Scots, he was fouled three times and was also fouled three times in his 65 minutes against the Germans. It’s likely he will get at least a similar amount of time on the pitch against the Italians, and his lightning pace and intelligent runs will be a foul magnet to the Italian defenders, meaning this has a great chance of coming in.

Although not considered one of the Swiss side’s primary attacking weapons, Granit Xhaka has been consistent in registering a shot on target in recent games with licence to roam forward.

He has had one shot on target in every game so far and has done so in four of his last five overall. He has also hit at least one shot in his last seven games, showing he shoots with a high degree of accuracy.

In a game where Italy could contain Switzerland’s forwards, Xhaka could have opportunities to time his runs and get shots away. A very good price for someone whose form line follows a positive trend with this recently.

The striker situation for Italy is one of their biggest areas of concern, with first choice striker, Gianluca Scamacca still not able to add to his national team tally and the team relying on goals from other areas.

Italy’s forwards have had just one shot on target so far in the group stage. However, Mateo Retegui showed his threat in the last game against Croatia, with 3 shots.

He has four goals in his 11 caps for Italy and could be the difference-maker on the night if Luciano Spalletti opts to start with him.

Nicolo Barella isn’t one of Italy’s most prolific foulers. However, he picked up 2 fouls in the last match against Croatia and 1 in the first match v Albania.

Unlike the Spain encounter, the Italians and Swiss will share possession around more evenly and Barella is now a key figure in this Italian side. A potential matchup against Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park, and the pace of Embolo and Ndoye will mean he might be expected to cover more defensive duties if Italy face spells of extended pressure.