2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP – Serbia vs Switzerland PREVIEW

What a crucial game. A game that could decide the fate of one of these nations. With Brazil still being the favourite to win the group, Serbia and Switzerland will most likely battle for a spot in R16 here. A win for Serbia and they’re through, a win for Switzerland and they’re about 85% through as Serbia would have to face Brazil last while Swiss got Costa Rica. A massive game here, you could argue Serbia need a win more because a draw would favour Switzerland given the final fixtures for both sides.

SERBIA

Serbia started off their campaign with an impressive performance and a 1-0 win against Costa Rica. A game where Serbia had more chances, but just couldn’t convert them so a little bit of Kolarov magic from the free kick was the only goal. Serbia looked very solid in midfield especially with Milinkovic-Savic playing to his expectations and Matic being solid as usual. One problem that I could pick out from the Serbian play is that their striker Mitrovic player poorly, he did all the dirty work but when the opportunities came to him he either lost the ball or scuffed it. The finishing touch was lacking from Serbia and their striker Mitrovic has to sort it out especially coming up against a very solid defensive side in Switzerland. In the end it was an encouraging performance by Serbia, didn’t give up many chances to Costa Rica and then picked up a win. A win that put them top of the group and put them into a position where another win puts them in R16.

Coming into the game against Switzerland, the keys for Serbia is to play physical. Switzerland love to play to frustrate the opponents, they have physical players themselves and Serbia have to match that physicality which they’re capable of with players like Ivanovic, Savic, Matic, Mitrovic. Going forward it’s going to be insanely tough to break down Switzerland as Brazil saw first hand so having a striker that loves to fight and scrap for the ball in Mitrovic will be a good thing for Serbia, but the question is can he provide that finishing touch and score goals? We should expect Serbia to dominate the midfield battle with the trio of Milivojevic, Matic and Savic. If Serbia can dominate the midfield, out-match Switzerland’s physicality and Mitrovic takes his chances then they will have a really good chance oh and you wouldn’t bet against Kolarov scoring a free kick if given the opportunity would you? Serbia have a great chance to advance here.

SWITZERLAND

Switzerland had to face the tournament favourites Brazil in the opening game. Everyone expected them to lose, but the Swiss pulled off a surprise picking up a very impressive point with a 1-1 draw. Given the fact that Switzerland went down it makes it even more impressive because their heads didn’t drop, they used their experience and took control over the game and eventually pegged back the favourites from a corner goal by Zuber. From that point, Switzerland sat back and cancelled out Brazil, they had a few heart attack moments but Brazil failed to hit the net. It was a typical Swiss performance where they frustrated opposition and got what they wanted by defending well. They were tough, physical and it caused Brazil problems, especially Neymar as Behrami man marked him phenomenally. A result that should give Switzerland lots of confidence coming into the second game.

Coming into the game against Serbia, Switzerland pretty much have to do the same things that Serbia need to do. Switzerland need to get physical because their opponent are a physical side. Switzerland need to make sure to get Shaqiri on the ball more than in the last game because he was a ghost for the most part of it, except from that delivery for the goal. Shaqiri is too talented to be ghosting in games and that’s on him too, he needs to demand the ball and put in more effort. Switzerland also have a problem with their striker because Seferovic and Embolo have been ineffective to start but given the fact they sat back for the most part is quite understandable. In this game we should see Switzerland get forward more and that should hopefully keep Shaqiri involved. If Switzerland win the physical battle and take their chances then they’ll win. It’s going to be a very tough test, they must avoid a defeat at all costs.

Prediction

We should expect an evenly matched game. Two very organised sides who love to play physical football. We should not expect goals and many chances created, this will most likely either end as a 0-0 draw or the first goal wins. Both teams are very solid, have tough players and it will be a true mental test for both. Don’t anticipate an exciting game here, whoever wins the physical battle will have a better chance to win. So yeah to summarise we should expect a 0-0 or 1-0 for either side in this game.

Group Standings

1 Serbia 3 pts +1 GD

2-3 Brazil 1pt 0 GD

2-3 Switzerland 1pt 0 GD

4 Costa Rica 0 pts -1 GD

ODDS – Decimal (WilliamHill)

Serbia Win – 2.60

Draw – 2.87

Switzerland Win – 2.90

KICK OFF – 22nd June 2018 – 7pm UK Time