Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic declared on Sunday that his side will meet England as equals when the teams face off in their opening 2016 European Championship qualifier on Monday.

Switzerland were ranked 48th in the world six years ago, but having reached the last 16 at the World Cup, where they lost in extra time to eventual finalists Argentina, they embark upon the qualifying campaign in ninth place in the FIFA ranking.

England are ranked 20th after a disappointing group-phase exit at the World Cup and although Petkovic is reluctant to describe his side as the favourites, he believes they can now look their Group E rivals in the eye.

"I like to be the favourite in a game, but confirmation always comes on the pitch. There's still a lot of respect for England -- no fear, but lots of respect," Pektovic told a pre-game press conference in Basel.

"The Swiss FA during the past 10 years have been doing very well and improved on all levels. It's been a good quality improvement. Now we can say we're level with the English team."

While there are 11 players aged 23 or under in Petkovic's squad, overall they have more international experience than their English counterparts, with an average of 27.2 caps per player to England's 20.3.

But although Switzerland boast such talents as Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri and Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka, captain Gokhan Inler has vowed that they will not take England lightly.

"England is still England -- a big name in football," said the Napoli midfielder, who with 78 caps has more international experience than any current England player apart from captain Wayne Rooney.

"We will play them with all the respect we have tomorrow (Monday). We mustn't forget England have produced top performances on the pitch over many, many years."