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Serbia vs Switzerland is one of the could-be group-stage knockout games of the FIFA World Cup 2022. With Brazil very much likely to beat Cameroon over at the other end, the game between Serbia and Switzerland is almost a winner-takes-it-all match although that is more true for the former.

With only one point in two games, Serbia desperately needs a win to progress over Switzerland whose qualification on the other hand depends on a tie against their continental rivals. However, that is unless Cameroon defeats Brazil in the other finale of their group.

Switzerland made it to the World Cup last 16 on four of their last five appearances at the competition. Serbia on the other hand while has a few or two reputations in the FIFA tournaments, it was back when they were part of Yugoslavia. In the past, it reached the competition’s last eight on two occasions,  the semifinals also on two instances, and the round of 16 once. As an independent nation, Serbia however is yet to make it past the group stage.

Serbia vs Switzerland Most Recent Team News And Expected Lineups

Serbia has no fresh injury concerns in addition to the team recently getting their frontrunner in the attack, Filip Kostic in the match against Cameroon. Fulham striker Aleksander Mitrovic who scored the first goal against Cameroon in round two looked fully fit in that duel. He therefore should definitely be among the first-choice attackers for the Serbs in the ensuing clash. A very much likely candidate to support him on the front is Sergej Milinkovic Savic, fresh off of a great season with Lazio. To make this partnership further lethal, the inclusion of Ajax midfielder, Dusan Tadic on the flank is a must. In terms of the likeliest, other men to certainly make the first presence are Strahinja Pavlovic, Milos Veljkovic, and Nikola Milenkovic, who all will form the back of the Serbian team.

Concerning Switzerland, one of the main men to have fallen into the spectrum of ambiguity is Salzburg midfielder Noah Okafor who could only serve his nation against Cameroon for mere 20 minutes. The 22-year-old has been mostly sidelined because of a muscle issue. If the Natis have decided that they at the very least will aim for a draw, then it’s likely that Arsenal’s midfielder Granit Xhaka and Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler is on the cards. One of the good news for the Nats is that Xherdan Shaqiri looks expected to serve in the front from the very first moment. Monaco forward Breel Embolo who has scored Switzerland’s only goal in the tournament should definitely be among the first eleven and so should Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow and Augsburg winger Ruben Vargas.

Serbia vs Switzerland Previous Meetings

Despite coming from the same continent, Serbia and Switzerland have met only once in history. It was at the World Cup 2018 at the very same phase where they are now. Switzerland emerged victorious in their last match with a scoreline of 2-1.

Serbia vs Switzerland Predictions; Switzerland Wins Narrowly

Serbia clearly isn’t in a better position than Switzerland heading into the match against them. In terms of fierceness, the two teams have almost similar levels of quality so it’s hard to predict who will be the most dominant between the two. They both topped their respective group in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers campaign. Furthermore, each of the teams had world-class opponents to compete against with Serbia going against Portugal and Switzerland against Italy.

Switzerland triumphed over Serbia four years ago at this very stage so we think history might repeat itself. They also had the best defensive record in the world cup qualifiers, the European area. The Schweizer Nati conceded only two goals in the eight games they played in the selection phase. History also favors Switzerland in terms of reaching the knockouts of major international tournaments. The European Reds have made it to the last 16 of every such competition since 2014. Their defense has always looked solid and has been harsh even for title contenders, eg Brazil in 2018 and in this competition as well. They even almost perfectly limited Cameroon’s attacking threats and chances. Furthermore, when their star shot-stopper, Yan Sommer is within the confines of Switzerland’s rigid backline, he is virtually impossible to beat. On the other hand, Serbia has rather volatile gameplay which could be very feasible for the Swiss to capitalize on. Between Switzerland and them, it’s the latter who has failed to meet the expectations in light of their run in the UEFA qualifiers for the World Cup.

We, therefore, see pragmatism winning out on this one and project the scoreline of Switzerland 1-0 Serbia.

Of the many other possible things to come, the match will definitely see compelling and intense ball movement from both sides.

Serbia vs Switzerland Most Recent Odds