In a crucial UEFA World Cup Qualifying match, Switzerland faces Sweden at Stade de Geneve on Saturday. This Group B clash comes as Switzerland seeks to solidify its position at the top, while Sweden battles to revive a faltering qualification campaign.
Switzerland’s Strong Position
Switzerland has been dominant in this qualifying series, remaining unbeaten in four matches. With three wins and one draw, they have secured 10 points, scoring nine goals and conceding none. Their effective defense has kept them without a single goal against in the last eight matches across all competitions.
The Swiss team is currently ranked 17th worldwide and aims for its sixth consecutive World Cup appearance. They recently experienced a goalless draw against Slovenia, ending a six-game winning streak. Despite this, they remain confident heading into the match against Sweden, who they defeated 2-0 in their previous encounter.
Head-to-Head Record
- Switzerland wins: 4
- Sweden wins: 3
- Draws: 3
Sweden’s Struggles
On the other hand, Sweden finds itself at the bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches. They have managed to score only twice while conceding seven goals. This disappointing run has raised doubts about their qualification prospects.
Sweden’s recent defeat to Switzerland marked their first loss to the team since 1994. Following this setback, they made a significant coaching change, replacing Jon Dahl Tomasson with Graham Potter. Potter’s appointment brings new hope, but the task ahead remains daunting for the Swedish squad.
Current Team Form
| Team | Last 5 Matches (World Cup Qualifying) |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | WWWD |
| Sweden | DLLL |
Team News
Switzerland will be without midfielder Remo Freuler, who is recovering from collarbone surgery. However, Michel Aebischer will return to the squad after injury. Captain Granit Xhaka will likely lead the midfield with an attacking front comprising Dan Ndoye, Breel Embolo, and Ruben Vargas.
For Sweden, Graham Potter’s first selection saw striker Viktor Gyokeres drop out due to a hamstring injury. On a positive note, Alexander Isak has been included after recovering from a groin issue. Other notable inclusions are Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and forwards Anthony Elanga and Roony Bardghji.
Probable Lineups
- Switzerland: Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Aebischer, Xhaka, Rieder; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas
- Sweden: Johansson; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof; Elanga, Bergvall, Ayari, Svensson, Gudmundsson; Isak, Bardghji
The upcoming match promises to be exciting, with Switzerland looking to extend its winning form while Sweden hopes to find stability. A strong performance from Switzerland can solidify their lead in Group B, while Sweden aims for redemption in their campaign.
