Croatia v Switzerland: Even before a ball has been kicked, it is hard not to feel that this is already a play-off for third place in Group B.
Switzerland and Croatia are among the weakest teams in Portugal and it is difficult to see how either of them will come out of this France-England dominated group.
Croatia look to be light years behind the side that six years ago went close to eliminating France at the semi-final stage of the World Cup whilst Switzerland might have been a little flattered in winning a qualifying group in which they pulled off a double on Ireland.
It says much about Croatia that their 71-year-old coach Otto Baric, the object of much criticism throughout the qualifying campaign, recently, and unsuccessfully, tried to persuade 36-year-old Zvonimir Soldo to play in Portugal. It says much, too, that where Croatia once had the silky skills of Davor Suker up front now they have the workmanlike bustle of Monaco striker Dado Prso.
Nor will Croatia be helped tomorrow by the fact that their experienced Juventus defender Igor Tudor is ruled out through suspension, whilst first-choice goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa of Shakhtar Donetsk has been ruled out of both the Switzerland and France games because of a right thigh muscle problem. Tomislav Butina of Club Bruges looks set to replace Pletikosa.
As for Switzerland, recent form is hardly encouraging. Even if their last gasp 1-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein last Sunday probably means little, the side looked substandard in a 4-1 qualifier defeat to Russia last October.
The Swiss, as Ireland will recall, do have some useful players, with both Stuttgart's attacking midfielder Hakan Yakin and Rennes striker Alexander Frei sure to cause Croatia problems.
The latter comes to the tournament particularly motivated, recently complaining that the rest of Europe puts Swiss football on the same level as the Faroe Islands. Tomorrow is his chance to prove his point.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
CROATIA: Butina; Simic, Zivkovic, R Kovac, Simunic; Bjelica, N Kovac, Mornar, Rapaic; Prso, Sokota.
SWITZERLAND: Zuberbuhler; Haas, Muller, M Yakin, Henchoz; Vogel, H Yakin, Wicky, Huggel; Frei, Chapuisat.
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