Switzerland vs Spain – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Switzerland vs Spain on and what time does it start? Switzerland vs Spain will take place on Saturday 5th August, 2023 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is Switzerland vs Spain taking place? Switzerland vs Spain will take place at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Switzerland vs Spain? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Switzerland vs Spain
What channel is Switzerland vs Spain on in the UK? Switzerland vs Spain will be televised live on BBC One
Where can I stream Switzerland vs Spain in the UK? Switzerland vs Spain can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
SWITZERLAND
- Intriguingly, Group A table toppers Switzerland were one of just three nations who went through the entire group stage without conceding a goal, although despite those three shutouts, the Swiss could only accrue five points after consecutive goalless draws followed their win over Philippines, the lowest points total of all eight group winners.
- After starting in Switzerland’s opening game, defender Luana Buhler has missed her side’s last two group matches through injury and with the team having kept clean sheets in both those fixtures, the likelihood is that the back four won’t be altered for this one, even if Buhler is passed fit.
SPAIN
- Although their place in the Round of 16 was already assured, Spain come into the knockout stage smarting following a somewhat surprising 4-0 thumping at the hands of Japan and whilst Spain were always capable of losing to a strong Japanese team, the margin of defeat is cause for concern.
- No doubt the absence of captain Ivana Andres in the centre of the defence was a massive loss for Spain vs Japan, the 29-year-old has a calf problem and her availability for this clash is still in question.
THE TEAM NEWS
SWITZERLAND
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Thalmann; Aigbogun, Maritiz, Stierli, Riesen; Sow, Walti, Reuteler; Piubel, Crnogorcevic, Bachmann
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Buhler (Fitness)
SPAIN
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Misa; Batlle, Paredes, Andres, Carmona; Bonmati, Abelleira, Putellas; Paralluelo, Hermoso, Caldentey
UNAVAILABLE: Garcia (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Andres (Injured), Del Castillo (Fitness)
THE KEY STATS
- This is the first FIFA Women’s World Cup match between these two nations. Overall Spain boasts a slender lead in their head-to-head record with four wins to three, the pair having also drawn twice.
- Switzerland are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. Their only previous appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup came in 2015 when they progressed through to the knockout phase and lost 1-0 to the host nation Canada in the round of 16.
- Switzerland have not conceded a goal in the first half of their last six FIFA Women's World Cup matches.
- Switzerland’s only previous FIFA Women’s World Cup match against a European team was their 0-0 draw in the group stage against Norway in the current edition of the tournament
- Spain are looking to reach the quarter-finals in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time. They made it through to the knockout phase for the first time at the 2019 finals, where they were narrowly defeated 2-1 in the round of 16 by USA.
- The 4-0 loss against Japan represents Spain's biggest-ever margin of defeat in FIFA Women's World Cup, surpassing the previous margin of one goal (four times).
- Spain’s total of eight goals in this edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is double their previous best of four which they recorded in 2019.
THE PREDICTION
That heavy loss to Japan may well serve as a wake-up call for Spain going into the business end of the competition and they’ll need to be at their best from an attacking point of view against a Swiss backline yet to be breached across the tournament so far. However, with respect to Switzerland’s group stage opponents, they are yet to take on a team like Spain, who can call upon creative diamonds such as Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, not to mention the goal-scoring threat of Jenni Hermoso. Provided Spain can tighten up defensively and iron out any individual errors, their quality should shine through against Switzerland and see them earn victory in 90 minutes.
TIP: SPAIN TO WIN
