Euro 2016 has reached the last-16 stage with the first games taking place on Saturday, with Switzerland facing Poland, Wales going head-to-head with Northern Ireland and Croatia playing Portugal. Here are previews for those first three knockout stage games:

Switzerland v Poland

The first game of the knockout games sees Switzerland and Poland clash in Saint Etienne, with both teams fancying their chances of making it to the knockout stages.

Switzerland finished as runners-up to France in Group A, collecting five points from their three games in the group. A opening game win against Albania, was followed by draws against Romania and France.

The Swiss have made history in France, as this is the first time they have ever made the last-16 of the European Championships.

Vladimir Petkovic’s team enjoyed mixed fortunes in the games running-up to this vital clash and have beaten Poland just once in ten meetings, suffering four defeats in the process.

The Swiss have a fully-fit squad to choose from for this clash, but will be aware that they face a major hurdle in furthering their journey in France.

Poland qualified as runners-up to world champions Germany in the group stages by recording two wins and a draw. Their qualification was built on a solid defensive unite, rather than any spectacular attacking play.

Poland have lost just two of their last 23 international matches and came close to beating Germany in the group stages. Poland have doubts over the fitness of first choice ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny and midfielder Bartosz Kapustka is suspended.

Adam Nawalka’s side will kick-off the game as slight favourites to make it to the quarter-finals in a game that promises to be a very tight encounter.

Wales v Northern Ireland

Attention then moves to the all-British last-16 in Paris where European Championship debutants Wales and Northern Ireland go head-to-head.

Wales topped Group B ahead of more illustrious rivals England, having recorded two victories and suffering a lost against the aforementioned Three Lions. The wins against Slovakia and especially Russia showed that the Dragons are not just here to make up the numbers.

In Gareth Bale they have a real contender for the golden boot and the Real Madrid star scored in the group games in France. The former-Tottenham star will be confident of adding to that tally in this clash.

Wales have not suffered defeat against Northern Ireland in their last five meetings and are favourites to make it to the quarter-finals.

Northern Ireland continues to defy the odds and got through to the knockout stages by finishing third behind Germany and Poland in the group stages.

Michael O’Neill’s side qualified for the last-16 despite suffering defeats against Poland and Germany, with a 2-0 defeat of Ukraine enough to earn them a spot in the last-16 as one of the best four third-placed teams in France.

For much of the group stages they have played a rather cautious style of play, which is likely to continue against a dangerous Welsh side. O’Neill’s side were involved in relatively low-scoring games in the group stages and this could be another one.

Croatia v Portugal

Croatia were one of the most impressive performances of the group stages, defeating Turkey and Spain and also drawing with Czech Republic. The win against European champions Spain meant that Ante Cacic's side won the group and were handed a favourable draw.

Internazionale winger Ivan Perisic scored twice in the group stages and could once again be a key player for the Croats in this intriguing clash. If Croatia are to progress then they will have to make history, as they have faced Portugal on just three occasions and suffered defeat in all three without scoring a goal.

Ante Cacic’s side have doubts over the fitness of Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic and midfield star Luka Modric, as both missed the win over Spain.

Portugal were underwhelming in group stages and drawing all three of their games against Iceland, Austria and Hungary. The three draws meant that Fernando Santos’ team only made it through to the knockout stages of the competition as one of the four best third-place teams.

Portugal’s talisman Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo endured frustration in the first two group games, failing to find the net and missing a penalty kick against Austria.

The former-Manchester United star did score a brace in the enthralling 3-3 draw with Hungary in the last group game, which in the end was vital to Portugal’s progression to the knockout stages and stopped his country exiting the competition at the group stages for the first time ever.

Fenerbahce winger Nani has also scored twice at the competition. The Iberians will be looking for the pair to provide the attacking inspiration to take them into the last-8 of the competition.

The dust has now settled on the Euro 2016 groups and the outcomes have thrown-up some highly interesting football encounters. Here is a brief rundown of the games taking place in the last-16 of the competition:

Switzerland v Poland, Saturday June 25, 2pm in Saint-Etienne

Switzerland and Poland moved into the knockout stages in very different frames of mind. Switzerland were expected to finish second in Group A behind hosts France and did, but were far from convincing drawing twice against Romania and France.

Their only win came in the opening game against Albania, as Vladimir Petkovic’s side won just 1-0, despite Albania captain Lorik Cana being dismissed on 37 minutes. They will have to up their game against Poland if they want to avoid elimination.

Poland qualified for the last-16 by finishing second in their group behind world football champions Germany, with Joachim Low’s side only topping the section by virtue of just one more goal scored. Two wins and a draw against Germany showed that Adam Nawalka’s side are no pushovers.

Wales v Northern Ireland, Saturday June 25, 5pm in Paris

Wales stormed through to the knockout stages with a 3-0 hammering of Russia and in turn topping their group ahead of England. Chris Coleman’s side are very much fancied to win this clash and will be looking to star player Gareth Bale for inspiration, as he has already scored three times in France.

Northern Ireland made it through as one of the best third-place sides, having lost two of their games and recorded just one win. To get this far is a dream, but to get even further would be simply incredible for Michael O’Neill’s side.

Croatia v Portugal, Saturday June 25, 8pm in Lens

Croatia proved their dark horse credentials by winning two of their group games and drawing their other one to top their group ahead of Spain, having beaten the European champions 2-1 on game week three. Ante Cacic’s side are now heavily fancied to go to the latter stages of this competition.

Portugal made it through to the last-16 by collecting just three points, having drawn with Iceland, Austria and Hungary. However in the last game Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and finally announced his arrival at the tournament, which could mean danger for the Croatia backline.

France v Republic of Ireland, Sunday June 26, 2pm in Lyon

Host nation France topped Group A, winning two games and drawing against Switzerland when qualification was already assured. There would be major disappointment if Les Bleus did not dispatch Ireland in this clash.

The Republic of Ireland collected four points from the group of death, drawing against Sweden and recording a famous 1-0 win over Italy in game week three. Martin O’Neill’s side will be relieved to be in the knockout stages, but they have a massive task on their hands to knock out the hosts.

Germany v Slovakia, Sunday June 26, 5pm in Lille

World champions Germany rather stumbled to seven points in the group stages, beating Ukraine 2-0 and Northern Ireland 1-0, while producing an underwhelming performance in a goalless draw with Poland. Even in tepid form Joachim Low’s side will be expected to overcome Slovakia with ease in this clash.

Slovakia managed to sneak through to the knockout stages of the football by finishing third in Group. The Slovaks bounced back from a defeat against Wales to beat Russia and claim a creditable goalless draw with England in the final group game. They are very much underdogs heading into this daunting clash.

Hungary v Belgium, Sunday June 26, 8pm in Toulouse

Hungary were the surprise package of the group stages, beating Austria before drawing with Iceland and Portugal to top Group F. Bernd Storck’s side face a very different challenge in a talented young Belgian side that are considered to have some of the best individuals in France.

Belgium started their campaign with a disastrous defeat against Italy, but have since recorded wins over Republic of Ireland and Sweden. The Red Devils have looked a far better team in the last two group games and could be a threat to the big boys further down the line. Marc Wilmots boys are very much favourites in this clash.

Italy v Spain, Monday June 27, 5pm in Saint-Denis

Italy are a battled-hardened football team and once again the Azzurri were written-off only to prove their doubters wrong with wins in their opening two games against Belgium and Sweden. Antonio Conte’s team have no stars, but are one the best drilled teams in the competitions and Spain have a job on their hands to try to break down the Azzurri’s solid defence.

Spain won their first two group games against Czech Republic and Turkey, but a loss in their game against Croatia saw them lose top spot in the group to the Croats. The loss could well prove very costly for the European champions.

La Roja will not have wanted to face Italy so early and Vicente del Bosque’s side are now in the side of the draw with a lot of the other big European nations. If Spain retain the trophy if will have been done the hard way.

England v Iceland, Monday June 27, 8pm in Nice

England failed to live-up to expectations in Group B, drawing with both Russia and Slovakia, while also beating neighbours Wales. The Three Lions needed to win their last group game against Slovakia to win the group, but failed and have been sent to the difficult half of the draw.

However, Roy Hodgson’s team will be heavy favourites to beat the lowest ranked team still left in the competition.

Iceland came into the tournament as a surprise package and are still unbeaten in France, having drawn with Portugal and Hungary and beaten Austria with a last-gasp winning goal that saw them clinch second-place in group F.

The Nordic sides’ players are saying all the right things, but they face a major battle to get beyond an England football team with plenty still yet to prove in France this summer.

Euro 2016 marches on and now that the group stages are out of the way, it's time to take a look at the fixtures for the knockout stages - who's playing who and where will the football action unfold. 

Knockout Stages Fixtures

Switzerland v Poland, Saturday June 25, 2pm in Saint-Etienne

Wales v Northern Ireland, Saturday June 25, 5pm in Paris

Croatia v Portugal, Saturday June 25, 8pm in Lens

France v Republic of Ireland, Sunday June 26, 2pm in Lyon

Germany v Slovakia, Sunday June 26, 5pm in Lille

Hungary v Belgium, Sunday June 26, 8pm in Toulouse

Italy v Spain, Monday June 27, 5pm in Saint-Denis

England v Iceland, Monday June 27, 8pm in Nice

The teams are all playing for a place in the quarter-finals and make it a step closer to the final in the Stade de France on the 10th of July.