Serbia vs Switzerland – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Serbia vs Switzerland on and what time does it start? Serbia vs Switzerland will take place on Friday 2nd December, 2022 – 19:00 (UK)
Where is Serbia vs Switzerland taking place? Serbia vs Switzerland will take place at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Serbia vs Switzerland? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for SERBIA vs SWITZERLAND
What channel is Serbia vs Switzerland on in the UK? Serbia vs Switzerland will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Serbia vs Switzerland in the UK? Serbia vs Switzerland can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
SERBIA
- Serbia played out a thriller with Cameroon last time out but they were left kicking themselves after letting a two-goal lead slip in a match that ultimately ended 3-3, and they have no choice but to win here if they are to have any chance of making it through to the round of 16.
- There are no injury problems concerning Dragan Stojkovic right now and the head coach could well go with an unchanged line-up, although Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic will be hoping for more involvement considering his limited minutes so far.
SWITZERLAND
- Switzerland – who in all likelihood just require a draw to progress – have been typically resolute in the group stage so far and it was only a late Casemiro goal that saw Brazil edge past them in their second group game.
- Noah Okafor is the only player in the treatment room ahead of this group decider with Murat Yakin likely to opt for his tried-and-tested line-up.
THE TEAM NEWS
SERBIA
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): V. Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Maksimovic, Lukic, Kostic; Tadic, S. Milinkovic-Savic; Mitrovic
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
SWITZERLAND
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Okafor (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- Serbia have lost only three of their last 18 international matches (W12 D3)
- Serbia* have won only two of their last 12 World Cup matches (D1 L9)
- Serbia* have kept only two clean sheets in their last 12 World Cup matches
- Serbia* have won only two of their last 14 World Cup matches against European teams (D3 L9)
- Serbia have only failed to score in three of their last 18 international matches
- Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored seven goals in his last six matches for Serbia
- Serbia and Switzerland also met in the group stage at Russia 2018, with the Swiss claiming a 2-1 victory
- Switzerland have lost only one of their last five World Cup group stage matches against European nations (W3 D1)
- Defeat for Switzerland would see them lose two successive World Cup group stage matches for the first time since 1966
- Switzerland have qualified from their group in each of the last two World Cup final competitions and have only missed out on the knockout phase in one of their most recent five participations prior to 2022
- Against Brazil, Ricardo Rodriguez and Granit Xhaka joined Xherdan Shaqiri, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Valon Behrami as the only players to make 10 appearances in the FIFA World Cup for Switzerland
*includes Yugoslavia
THE PREDICTION
Serbia could very well find Switzerland to be frustrating opponents here, especially as the latter know that a draw would likely send them through the round of 16. The Serbian attack – spearheaded by fit-again Aleksandar Mitrovic – will need to be at their most potent to trouble the Swiss rearguard, but Murat Yakin’s well-drilled and resolute side look capable of weathering the storm. They will have taken confidence from the fact they were close to keeping Brazil scoreless in their last encounter, and another low-scoring game looks likely.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
