Switzerland vs Norway – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Switzerland vs Norway on and what time does it start? Switzerland vs Norway will take place on Tuesday 25th July, 2023 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Switzerland vs Norway taking place? Switzerland vs Norway will take place at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Switzerland vs Norway? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Switzerland vs Norway
What channel is Switzerland vs Norway on in the UK? Switzerland vs Norway will be televised live on ITV1
Where can I stream Switzerland vs Norway in the UK? Switzerland vs Norway can be streamed on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
SWITZERLAND
- Switzerland will no doubt be delighted at the professional job they did in their opening group stage fixture, comfortably overcoming Philippines by two goals to nil although they needed a penalty to open the scoring right on half-time.
- It’s unlikely that Switzerland will look to change anything here from a personnel perspective, which would mean Alicia Lehmann starting from the bench once again with Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic up top flanked by Ramona Bachmann and Seraina Piubel, both of whom were on the scoresheet Friday.
NORWAY
- Norway were the victims of the first big surprise result of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and it came in the very first game, New Zealand beating Hege Riise’s side 1-0 in Auckland with the large home crowd no doubt playing a key part in the outcome.
- The toothlessness in-front of goal of a side containing players such as Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen is a huge concern for Riise and something that needs to be addressed heading into this one for the sake of Norway’s diminishing tournament hopes.
THE TEAM NEWS
SWITZERLAND
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Thalmann; Aigbogun, Buhler, Stierli, Maritiz; Sow, Walti, Reuteler; Piubel, Crnogorcevic, Bachmann
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
NORWAY
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Mikalsen; Bjelde, Mjelde, Harviken, Hansen; Engen, Maanum, Reiten; Graham Hansen, Hegerberg, Haavi
UNAVAILABLE: Leine (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Switzerland qualified from their group in their only previous FIFA Women’s World Cup participation in 2015.
- Switzerland are aiming to win two successive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches for the first time.
- With her goal against the Philippines, Ramona Bachman is now Switzerland's sole top scorer at the FIFA Women's World Cup with four goals, moving one ahead of Fabienne Humm (3).
- Norway have won nine of the previous 12 matches between these two nations (D1 L2).
- Only two of Norway’s previous 25 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ group stage matches have finished level (W17 L6).
- Norway have lost their last two Women’s World Cup matches. They have never lost three successive matches in the competition.
- Norway’s overall record against European nations at the Women’s World Cup is W9 D1 L4. They are without a win in the last five of those 14 fixtures having won the previous nine.
- Against New Zealand, Norway lost their opening match at a Women’s World Cup final competition for the first time since 1991. They have never started an edition of the tournament with two successive defeats.
THE PREDICTION
Surely Norway can’t be as poor going forward as they were at Eden Park last time out. Words will have no doubt been exchanged between teammates following that shock defeat and head coach Riise will demand a response from her side in this one. You’d expect her to get it with knockout qualification now hanging in the balance, but they have no choice but to take plenty of offensive risks with no points on the board. This may well see them caught out at the other by an efficient Swiss machine, especially on the counter-attack. Regardless of the final outcome, back both teams to score.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
