Switzerland VS Latvia Match Prediction

These sides have met three times before, with the Swiss getting two wins and a draw. Here's a closer look at those meetings:

Sep 9, 2009: Latvia 2-2 Switzerland (World Cup Qualifiers)
Oct 11, 2008: Switzerland 2-1 Latvia (World Cup Qualifiers)
Apr 2, 1997: Switzerland 1-0 Latvia (Friendly)

%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%

Switzerland vs Latvia Prediction

Switzerland will remain perfect through five matches in the group with a relatively easy victory at home.

Correct Score Prediction: Switzerland 2-0 Latvia

Switzerland vs Latvia Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have Switzerland at 1/8 to win, a draw at 8/1, and a Latvia win at 14/1.

The double chance odds for a Latvian win or a draw is at 11/2.  The same for Switzerland is at just 1/25.

Both teams to score is at 5/2 for yes and 2/7 for no.

A 1-0 win for the Swiss could bring you 11/1 odds if correct at full time.

Reason: Switzerland are big favorites to the bookmakers here because they have started this group very well, and they don't look like slowing down to a weak Latvian side that have left out their most talented striker.  The bookmakers also are trying to convince you to take Latvia to score, as they don't believe that they will.  

Team News

Vladimir Petkovic will be without main striker Erin Derdiyok due to a calf injury.  

Key Man

Arsenal defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka is the man to watch in this match.  Xhaka can be one of the best players in the world when he is on his best behavior, but when he is not, he can spell disaster for his teammates.  Xhaka has been linked with Bayern Munich of late because of his great build up play from midfield.  He also has a cannon of a shot on him, so you can't leave him alone even when he's 30 yards or so away from goal.  

Team Form

Switzerland have won each of their four qualifiers so far.  They last played at home to Faroe Islands, and they won 2-0.  

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Team News

Marians Pahars has decided to leave out FC Cologne striker Artom Rudnevs for this match despite him being the most obvious choice to be the main striker.  Midfielder Arturs Zjuzkins, the man who scored against Portugal, has also been left out of the squad.

Key Man

Andris Vanins, now 36 years old, remains the first choice goalkeeper for this Latvian side.  After playing for years with FC Sion in Switzerland, Vanins has become the deputy goalkeeper at FC Zurich.  However, he's still preferred by Pahars for his national team.  This could be exploited by Switzerland as he could be rusty from not having played very much in recent times.  Latvia will need their goalkeeper to be strong and commanding if they are to somehow pull off a big upset in this one.  

Team Form

Latvia have started with three losses and one win in their four matches thus far.  They were beaten 4-1 in Portugal last time out.  

Expected Line-up: 4-5-1

Switzerland have started out the group on fire, and that fire shouldn\'t be put out by this Latvian side. Switzerland have a very well-rounded side, and they have recognizable players all over the park. They are talented and deep in terms of having players to come off the bench when things aren\'t quite going their way. Latvia just aren\'t very good, having only narrowly defeated minnows Andorra for their only win of the group so far, so don\'t look for them to upset the group leaders.

Switzerland have taken all 12 points available to them so far to give them a three point cushion over second place Portugal at the moment.