England vs Switzerland: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
By Tom Gott
England will turn out for their first match of 2022 when they welcome Switzerland to Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Having wrapped up qualification for the World Cup at the end of last year, Gareth Southgate's men are in friendly action this time around, with the boss keen to take a look at some new players before he has to pick his squad for the winter spectacle in Qatar.
Saturday's opponents are Switzerland, who went unbeaten on their own qualification journey. Their success is the reason that European champions Italy are heading for a play-off to secure their own spot in the competition.
Here's all you need to know about the fixture.
How to watch England vs Switzerland on TV/live stream
When is kick off? Saturday 26 March, 17:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Wembley Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel
Referee? TBC
VAR? TBC
England team news
Southgate lost a handful of his preferred players to injuries soon after he named his squad, with Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Ramsdale and Tammy Abraham all dropping out.
In their place came Sam Johnstone and Ollie Watkins as well as uncapped duo Tyrick Mitchell and Kyle Walker-Peters, both of whom will be hoping to earn their first caps for the Three Lions in this one.
Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the squad having tested positive for Covid-19, while Emile Smith Rowe is doubtful for this first match of the break after picking up a knock in training.
Switzerland team news
Switzerland will be without star goalkeeper Yann Sommer after the Gladbach stopper tested positive for Covid-19 upon his arrival to camp. Expect Dortmund's Gregor Kobel to take his place.
Captain Granit Xhaka also reported late after complaining of a non-Covid illness, but the Arsenal man is expected to be fine for this one.
England vs Switzerland head-to-head record
Of the 27 meetings between these two nations, Switzerland have tasted victory just three times, the latest of which was in May 1981.
Since then, it has been a reign of dominance for England, who are on a 12-game unbeaten streak against Switzerland - a run that includes nine wins and three draws.
Their last meeting came back in the summer of 2019 when the two battled for third place in the Nations League. A dull affair ended goalless and went to penalties, where Jordan Pickford was the hero as he scored one and saved another to seal the victory.
England vs Switzerland score prediction
Given this is a friendly, it's hard to know what to expect. Neither team will go all-guns-blazing for the victory and don't expect either to play their strongest lineup.
Losing Sommer comes as a massive blow for Switzerland, and although Kobel is more than capable as his replacement, you have to think that could end up playing a part in deciding this one.
It's more about building fitness and cohesion than anything else, but expect England to come out with a narrow victory.
Prediction: England 1-0 Switzerland