Serbia VS Switzerland Match Prediction
2018-06-22
18:00:00
Serbia
VS
Switzerland
Our Prediction Tip
Switzerland will win this match.
2018-06-2218:00:00 Switzerland will win this match.
While they have never faced Switzerland since the end of Yugoslavia, Serbia did boast a good record against the Swiss in their former guise. In 13 previous fixtures they have won six and lost just twice, including a 3-0 win at the 1950 World Cup – the last time they met on the biggest stage.
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Switzerland have lost just one of the 18 matches they have played since Euro 2016
Switzerland only won two of their 13 matches against Yugoslavia, but they have never faced Serbia in their current guise
Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored five goals in his last four matches for Serbia
The Swiss have kept five clean sheets in their last seven matches – Brazil’s opener last time out was just the second goal they have conceded in that time.
Serbia might top Group E after the opening set of fixtures, but Switzerland will be happy with their work after holding tournament favourites Brazil to a 1-1 draw.
They are marginal favourites to beat Serbia to the second qualifying spot, so a win on Friday is a must for the Swiss – but their recent form certainly makes it difficult to back against them. Portugal are the only team to have beaten them since Euro 2016.
Serbia, on the other hand, beat Costa Rica but could have scored more – particularly with the in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic up front.
Serbia only need one more win to progress to the last-16 stage, but Switzerland are not going to make it easy for them – the confidence they have taken from the Brazil draw should spur them on through the group stages now.
Mitrovic is the Serbs’ key man, while Aleksandar Kolarov and Branislav Ivanovic provide stacks of experience, but with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner, the Swiss are hardly short in that regard either.
Brazil are only the second team to score against Switzerland in their last six matches – Spain were the others – so Mitrovic will have his work cut out, however.
Tight at the back, and in need of all three points to stay on track for qualifying for the next round, Switzerland may only be marginal favourites but it is too hard to back against them given their recent form.
Switzerland are narrow favourites in the bookmakers – the Swiss are a best price of 17/10 to win with Betfair, while Serbia can be backed at 21/10 with Bet365.
Switzerland have a tight defence and there have not been many goals since World Cup qualification was completed – you can back them to win to nil at 7/2, while under 2.5 goals will return just 8/15 with Betfair. You can get 13/8 on under 1.5 goals, meanwhile. Betting against both teams to score will return 4/5 with Betfair.
Betfair are also offering the best price of 3/1 on there being just one goal in Friday’s match.
1) Switzerland to beat Serbia at 17/10 with Betfair
2) Total goals = under 1.5 at 13/8 with Betfair
3) Both teams to score = no at 4/5 with Betfair
Serbia top Group E, but Switzerland are in great form in the last two years and can get their first win of the 2018 World Cup in style.
Aleksandar Kolarov was a doubt for Serbia’s opening game after a slight injury in the warm-up, but after playing and scoring a brilliant free-kick in the 1-0 win there are unlikely to be any Serbian changes to face Switzerland. Luka Milivojevic got the nod to start alongside Nemanja Matic in the middle, with Sergei Milinkovic-Savic pushed further forward to accommodate that.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (striker) – While he was unable to continue his goalscoring form in the opening group game, Aleksandar Mitrovic arrived at the World Cup on the back of his hat-trick against Bolivia and March’s double against Nigeria
Aleksandar Kolarov (left-back) – The Serbian captain scored the winning goal against Costa Rica with a superb free-kick, continuing a season which has already seen him help Roma to the Champions League semi-finals
Sergei Milinkovic-Savic (attacking midfielder) – Played in a more advanced role than in recent friendlies, Lazio’s rising star is expected to achieve big things in the coming years
Costa Rica 0-1 Serbia (Kolarov)
Captain Aleks Kolarov curled in a brilliant second-half free-kick to give Serbia victory against Costa Rica in their opening game. It was a more comfortable win, certainly in the second-half, than the scoreline suggested but Serbia team failed to make more of their chances count.
Serbia have won three of their last five matches, with Aleksandar Mitrovic in top form in their recent friendlies before Aleks Kolarov’s brilliant free-kick earned them a win against Costa Rica in their opening World Cup match. Prior to the tournament, Mitrovic scored both goals in a 2-0 win against Nigeria and, after a 1-0 defeat to Chile in between, then scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 defeat of Bolivia.
There were no surprises in Switzerland’s starting line-up against Brazil, with Steven Zubar, Blerim Dzemaili and Haris Seferovic all returning after being rested for the Swiss’ final warm-up match. Yann Sommer also returned in goal. The Switzerland line-up is likely to be unchanged against to face Serbia in their crucial game for second-round qualification. Stephan Lichtsteiner was taken off with a late injury but he is expected to be fit to face Serbia.
Haris Seferovic (striker) – Leading the Swiss line having scored his 12th international goal in the friendly win against Japan ahead of the tournament
Xherdan Shaqiri (winger) – Scored a hat-trick at the last World Cup and, despite a disappointing domestic season with Stoke, he remains a vital player for Switzerland
Stephan Lichsteiner (right-back) – Won his 100th cap on the eve of the tournament and the Arsenal-bound captain is an integral leader in Switzerland’s mean defence
Brazil 1-1 Switzerland (Zuber)
After Philippe Coutinho gave Brazil a deserved half-time lead in Switzerland’s opening group game, things were looking ominous but Steven Zuber hit back in the second half. A physical approach nullified Brazil’s attacking threat, and where the Selecao had started so brightly the Swiss were able to frustrate them after the break to claim a valuable point.
Switzerland have lost just once Euro 2016 and, while that defeat to Portugal consigned the Swiss to a nervy play-off with Northern Ireland for a place at the World Cup, they have bounced back well. A 1-0 win against Greece, 6-0 thrashing of Panama and 2-0 win against Japan all set the tone, with only Spain scoring against them in a 1-1 draw. Brazil also scored, of course, in their opening World Cup game but Switzerland team hit back to claim a 1-1 draw.
After beating Costa Rica in their opening game, Group E leaders Serbia could book their place in the second round with a win against Switzerland in Kaliningrad Stadium on Friday June 22. Switzerland drew with Brazil in their opening game, and their second match of the 2018 World Cup will see them face Serbia for the first time since the end of the former Yugoslavia. Kick off is scheduled for 8pm local time.
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