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Phillipe Senderos Gives his Predictions EURO 2024
In this interview, Phillipe Senderos shares his Euro 2024 tips, discussing favourites, key players, potential dark horses, and Serbia's prospects.
🏆 Phillipe Senderos' Euro 2024 Predictions! 🏆
🏆 Philippe Senderos believes France will win Euro 2024.
⚽ He predicts Kylian Mbappe to clinch the Golden Boot.
🇨🇭 Expects Switzerland to reach the last 16.
⭐ : Names Granit Xhaka as Switzerland's key player.
🎯 **Match Predictions**:
- Switzerland vs. Hungary: 🇨🇭 Switzerland 2-1 Hungary
- Switzerland vs. Germany: 🇩🇪 Germany 3-1
Philippe Senderos shares his insights on Euro 2024, predicting France as the winner with Kylian Mbappe as the top scorer. He sees England as the dark horses and Switzerland reaching the last 16 despite recent struggles under current management. He reminisces about his favourite Euro memories, including playing at home in 2008. Senderos highlights Granit Xhaka as Switzerland's star player and discusses the importance of strong defensive partnerships. He also reflects on the respect Gareth Southgate has earned and suggests Germany might surprise as hosts. Overall, he remains optimistic about Switzerland's potential performance.
Q: Who will win Euro 2024?
PS: “I think France will win the Euros this year.”
EURO2024 Betting Odds
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Q: Who will win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024?
PS: “I think the top scorer will be Kylian Mbappe.“
EURO2024 Golden Boot Betting Odds
All odds tables on this page are sourced live from the displayed bookmakers. Once the market is closed, no odds box will appear.
Q: Who are your dark horses to win Euro 2024
PS: “I think the dark horses could be England. I know everyone's waiting for them to win a title, but I think this year could be the one.”
Q: How far will Switzerland progress at Euro 2024
PS: “Even though they've had a very good start of the campaign, I think Switzerland might just get out of the group and go out in the last 16.”
Q: What are your best Euros memories? Playing at home in 2008?
PS: “The most special European Championship memory for me was to play at home in front of our home fans. The opening game, what I remember, was a fantastic party.
“We didn't win, so it was a big disappointment for everyone, but it was amazing to play at home. Beating Portugal was also a highlight.”
Q: How hard is it to be successful at the European Championships?
PS: “At the Euros, the competition is very, very high as well, to get out of the group but also just to qualify. It's an amazing thing to be part of as a player, as a professional.”
Q: What was the feeling like to represent Switzerland 57 times?
PS: “I was so proud to wear the Switzerland kit so many times and at three World Cups, at the European Championships. It's an amazing thing for me and for my family to represent my country.”
Q: Are you a fan of the new Puma design for the Switzerland kit?
PS: “The designs are pretty simple, pretty clear. The logo has changed since my debut but you can't change it too much like a club level, you have to keep it to the red and white.”
Q: What is the current status of the Switzerland National Team and their manager?
PS: “There has been big criticism about the current team and about the management of Murat Yakin in the last year. The previous manager, Vladimir Petkovic, was probably the most successful in all areas of Swiss football and had done a fantastic job in leaving the team in a good place.
“But the new management has had some struggles to deal with, especially with senior players, and it's been quite tough lately.
“I hope they will regroup and have a good tournament because that's what we need and build from what they've done in the last tournaments.”
Big criticism for Murat Yakin's management. Petkovic set a high bar, but it's been tough. Hoping the team regroups for a strong Euro 2024!
Q: Could the pressure being off help Switzerland find success?
PS: “I think the pressure being off could help Switzerland, but we always expect the team to do better than the time before, even though we're a very small country.
“So I think a successful tournament would be to get out of the group and then see what happens from there.”
Q: Which players could shine for Switzerland in Germany?
PS: “Breel Embolo could be a player to shine for Switzerland, he returned from injury to play his first game at the weekend. Zeki Amdounni who plays for Burnley has done really well with the national team.
“Most of them have played in England. Denis Zakaria is having a great season at Monaco after being loaned to Chelsea. We also have Manuel Akanji at the back with Fabian Schar, players who have plenty of experience with the national team and in big tournaments as well.
“Ruben Vargas is one to look out for too from Augsburg.”
Q: Who will be the star player for Switzerland?
Granit Xhaka is tipped, to once again be a star player for the Swiss in Euro 2024
PS: “I think the star player for Switzerland is Granit Xhaka. He's had a fantastic year with Bayer Leverkusen. They've won the title, they're still in the Europa League, so it's an amazing feat of what he's done in Germany.
“With the national team he's probably one of our greatest ever players. I still believe he's the leader, he's the captain, and he's the one who will lead this team to success.”
Q: Should Arsenal have kept Granit Xhaka at the club last summer?
PS: “You always want this type of player to stay in your team because he's such a leader and such a charismatic person. You want these types of people when things get tough.
“But it's been an amazing thing for him in his career to move, to have a new manager, to have a new team and to be so successful that they have been this year. So I'm very happy for him personally. But as an Arsenal fan, it's always good to keep those type of players.”
Q: Would he have helped Arsenal win a trophy this season?
PS: “You always want quality players in the team, he might not have been missed from the offensive point of view but he was great for Arsenal. I think everyone respected how he handled himself when he left.”
Q: Will Switzerland fans be out in force in Germany for Euro 2024?
With a shortish trip, we can expect the Swiss to be loud and proud in Germany.PS: “Switzerland will be travelling by train and car to our games in Cologne and Frankfurt. I remember playing in the World Cup in 2006 and the stadium being all red.
“It was amazing and I hope to see that again. Swiss fans are passionate in their ways and it’s going to be very exciting.”
Q: How do you see Switzerland vs Hungary going?
PS: “It's a game for Switzerland that they need to win, even though it's their opener, but Hungary are a very good team. I think it will be 2-1 to Switzerland.”
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Q: How do you see Scotland vs Switzerland going?
PS: “I think Scotland have done brilliantly to qualify, but if Switzerland want to progress in the tournament, they'll have to win that as well.
“Especially looking towards the last game of the group against Germany, and that's going to be a strong opponent. I think it will be. 2-0 to Switzerland.”
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Q: How do you see Germany vs Switzerland going?
PS: “We've done well against Germany in the last 10-15 years. So hopefully they can repeat that. But obviously in Germany being the host nation, it's going to be a very difficult game. I'd say Germany will win 3-1.”
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Q: The pressure will be on England but do you still see France as the favourites?
PS: ”I think England have amazing talent in the squad and the team is progressing under Southgate. So I hope to see them win something sometime because this generation of players are really working as a team and I feel that and I hope the fans feel that as well.
“But I think France has the experience of winning finals and they have amazing players in all positions. So I think France, for me, are the favourites again. But England are very strong contenders.”
Q: Who do you think has the best squad at the tournament?
PS: “Picking the best squad at the tournament, It's difficult to separate England and France. I would just talk about the experience at that level, international level and especially playing in finals and semi-finals.
“I think France have an edge, but England have a very strong squad, players who play at the highest level of European football. It would be exciting if they meet in the knockout stages.”
Q: Is Gareth Southgate respected around Europe or seen as a nearly man?
Image: Shutterstock/Dokshin Vlad
PS: “Gareth Southgate is very well respected. He's built something there with England. There is an atmosphere around the team and within the squad that you can feel as a spectator. And I think he's done a fantastic job.
“To be able to judge just on titles, it would be very harsh. I think he's brought the team close and will continue to do that because they have a fantastic group.”
Q: Should Harry Maguire still be a regular starter for England?
Image: shutterstock
PS: “To go one step further and win it has to be with trust, confidence and the form. Maguire has come back and started playing again but there are many contenders to play in those positions. Stones hasn’t been playing as much recently. So let's see.”
Q: Do Switzerland have a better defensive partnership than England?
PS: “Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schar have a very good partnership, they've played well together in the national team for a few years now. Defensively it's very important for Switzerland to have a strong foundation and they've definitely been at the core of it.
“Two great players, one more known for his defensive attributes with Akanji and another one who is very good with the ball and has done fantastic to adapt to English football in Schar.
“He continues to do very well in the Premier League and he’s very happy to be playing there.”
Q: Could Germany spring a surprise as hosts with fans having low expectations?
PS: “I think Germany could surprise some people. Playing at home the fans will help, the pressure isn’t there as much at the moment. They could be a dark horse.”
Philippe Senderos Profile
Philippe Sylvain Senderos (born February 14, 1985) is a Swiss retired professional footballer famed for his role as a defender. His footballing career took off at Servette before his transfer to English club, Arsenal, as a teenager.
Ludovic Péron, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Over seven seasons, Senderos made 116 appearances for Arsenal and was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 2005.
He went on to play for Fulham, Milan, Everton and various other clubs across Spain, England, Scotland, Switzerland and the United States.
On the international platform, Senderos represented Switzerland from 2005 to 2016, during which he earned 57 caps and scored five goals. He played in three FIFA World Cups and at UEFA Euro 2008 for the Swiss national team.
Interview April 2024
- Speaking exclusively to OLBG, former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos said Arsenal should look to sign Ollie Watkins this summer in their hunt for a 20-goal striker.
- The ex-Switzerland international tipped AC Milan’s Rafael Leao to be a Premier League success, but questioned whether he’d fit in at the Emirates.
- The former Rangers and Everton man explained why Arsenal still have hope in the title race thanks to their newfound mentality and called William Saliba and Gabriel the best defensive duo in the country.
- The former FA Cup winner also backed the scrapping of replays while agreeing with Pep Guardiola’s complaints over Manchester City’s tight schedule.
Q: Do you still have hope for Arsenal in the Premier League title race?
PS: “I still have hope for Arsenal, but Manchester City usually hit their form at this time of the year. Arsenal have done brilliantly to be in this position and fighting for the title at this stage of the season.
“City still have the FA Cup final to think about with Arsenal just focusing on their league games, I do think they’re in a better spot than last year and they just need to build on that.”
Q: Have you seen a change in Arsenal’s mentality this season
PS: “This year I think Arsenal have been much stronger mentally, they can take confidence from that and their head-to-head record against City.”
Q: Are Arsenal back to where they should be, fighting for major honours?
PS: “I think Arsenal are back to where they should be and the team has been improving year on year on, so I think this is massive. When you look at a football club it's very important that you feel that the club is progressing and the players are progressing and Mikel Arteta has done that.
“I think him and his staff have been brilliant and the stability that they've had as well at the club has helped and they've had the backing so hopefully it can continue.
“The titles will in the end define how good a job that Arteta has done, but we can all see that they are a much better team than they were a few years ago.”
Q: Do Arsenal have the best defensive partnership in Europe?
PS: “I think William Saliba and Gabriel have definitely been the best partnership in the Premier League and it helps that they have been fit most of the year.
“Continuity and stability helps to build on defensive ability. It helps to have both of them all the time there. So they've been brilliant, one left-footed, one right-footed. It’s very complimentary.
“One is very, very fast in Saliba and Gabriel reads the game very well. So I think they complement each other perfectly. Saliba’s speed is really a great asset. It would have been great to play with him.”
Saliba and Gabriel are the best PL partnership. Their fitness, continuity, and complementary skills—Saliba's speed and Gabriel's game-reading—are brilliant!
Q: Do Arsenal need to bring in a striker to reach major honours?
PS: “We talked for years about City not having a real number nine, but they were winning both before and after they brought in Erling Haaland.
“For Arsenal, they probably need a player that can guarantee you 20 goals, but those types of players who can score 20 goals in the first season in the Premier League are very rare.“
Q: Which strikers would you love to see at Arsenal?
PS: “I think Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins are the type of players that have proved it in the Premier League. They could be a good fit. But then again, they have to fit into the philosophy of what Arsenal are trying to do - and also financially.”
Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins have proven themselves in the PL and could fit well. But they must align with Arsenal's philosophy and financial plans. 💬⚽
Q: What about Ollie Watkins would make it a good fit?
PS: “Ollie Watkins is a great finisher. This year he has been really on form, he’s one of the key elements of Aston Villa’s success.”
Q: Is anyone really impressing you at AC Milan or in Italy?
PS: “At Milan, I like Christian Pulisic. I think he's done well since leaving Chelsea. I still want to see Rafael Leao. Probably in England, it would be a great place to see him.
“I feel, with his physicality and speed, he’s now at a point where he needs to take the next step and I think it should be in the Premier League.”
Q: Would you like to see Leao at Arsenal?
PS: “I'm not sure about Arsenal for Leao. A lot of teams now play a low block against Arsenal and he probably needs a little bit of space, so he'd be good for a counter-attacking team.”
Q: Do Rangers have what it takes to beat Celtic to the title this season?
PS: “Rangers definitely have the passion to beat Celtic to the title, but with the ability we still have to see. But it's a great club with great support and the title race being so close this year is credit to both teams.
“I'm very pleased to see that because you need that to create a competitive league and they have this season.“
Q: Are you surprised at how well Unai Emery has done at Aston Villa?
PS: “I'm not surprised. I think he's a fantastic coach. He's done a brilliant job wherever he's been. Even if he has been criticised at times.
“I think at Villa he's had the time to build the squad and build his team the way he wanted. And he really has a strong squad, a strong team and he's been playing brilliant football. I'm not surprised and I'm very happy for them to be fighting for a Champions League spot.”
Q: Could Aston Villa surprise a few people in the Champions League next season?
PS: “Let's hope they can qualify for the Champions League. England only get four spots, I think, and you're going to have to fight hard until the end of the season. But they could be a surprise next season, definitely.”
Q: Will huge European clubs be looking at Unai Emery this summer?
PS: “Unai Emery is the type of manager who will be looked at in other places. I think he's done a brilliant job at Villa, he's got his staff working with him, he's got the directors backing him. It's a great place to be and the club is progressing. For the moment I don't think there's any place for him to go, but in the future who knows.”
Q: Could Unai Emery even leave this summer?
PS: “There are a lot of factors that come into play in the off season and some clubs will be looking for managers this summer. A lot of big clubs, so you never know.”
Q: Could Marco Silva be looked at by big clubs this summer?
Silva has done a fantastic job at FulhamPS: ‘I think Marco Silva could be looked at by other clubs. He's done a fantastic job at Fulham. Fulham's expectations in the last few years were just to survive and he's just pushed on and the club is continuing to grow.
“So I'm very pleased to see the stability, that's the first thing, and how this team has progressed. He's a fantastic manager and has a very good staff with him and I wouldn't be surprised if he went on to manage a more prestigious team.”
Q: Could Tosin at Fulham join a top six club this summer?
PS: “Any English player playing regularly in the Premier League will get an opportunity somewhere else. He's definitely had a good season and his contract ends in the summer, so let's see. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to a top six club.”
Q: Could Unai Emery be a target of Manchester United?
PS: “It’s difficult to say if Manchester United will be looking at Unai Emery. The new ownership will have different ideas so there could be a big call, even though they have qualified for the FA Cup final.”
Q: Could some managers, like Unai Emery, even turn down Manchester United?
PS: “I think it's a very difficult job to take now, but if Manchester United come calling, it's something that you will consider as a manager wherever you are and you will listen because it's still Manchester United.
“They will have the resources in the future to continue to build a strong team and they're not too far away from getting in there. It's a very successful club. All managers would consider that job.”
Q: What have you made of another of your former clubs, Everton?
PS: “It's been a very difficult season for Everton, not only with the points deductions, but injuries have impacted their results and performances. But they’re still fighting and I think it’s a great credit to the football club.
“The fans are also behind the squad, behind the team. And it's great to see. It's a great club and I hope they do survive because their team should be playing in the Premier League.”
Q: You won the FA Cup with Arsenal, do you agree with replays being scrapped?
Protecting history is important, but we must be realistic. Players need proper rest to perform their best. Agree with Pep—playing Wednesday, then Saturday isn't fair. An extra day would help.
PS: “You have to protect the history, the decision on replays is tough but there aren't enough dates in the calendar. So I think we have to be realistic and put the players in the best position if we want to see the best spectacle.
“I do agree with what Pep Guardiola said after the semi-final where it's sometimes not fair on the players to put them in situations and expect the best performances.
“I think with them playing on Wednesday and having the game on Saturday is also not fair. They should have probably had a day extra, even if they played on Tuesday and had an extra day when Manchester United and Coventry were playing on Sunday.”
Q: You also played in Spain, how does it compare to the Premier League?
PS: “A lot of teams can compete with Premier League sides, but I would say the Premier League is very competitive and every game is a different challenge. Probably in other leagues there is a bit more inequality, with all due respect.
“It's still hard but might not be as challenging physically and mentally as the Premier League. But in knockout games, English teams don't have it easy and that's why they need to adapt.”
