Ace Football previews the UEFA Nations League match between Switzerland and Spain, and offers betting tips, odds, and team news.
Spain travel to Switzerland on Saturday night seeking a return to form in what can only be described as a must-win match.
Luis Enrique’s side may hold the top spot in Group A4 in the Nations League, but they’re only a point above Germany and Ukraine. Any slip-up at St. Jakob-Park could knock them off their perch. And with just a game left afterward, they’ll be hard pushed to qualify for the finals in October 2021.
Switzerland, meanwhile, have nothing left to lose and can cause problems in what should be a tight encounter in Basel.
Switzerland Form & Stats
Vladimir Petkovic’s side were always going to struggle to progress in a group comprising Spain, Germany, and Ukraine. They’ll be a tad disappointed, however, to be bottom on just two points from four games.
But Switzerland proved their mettle in their last Nations League game by holding Germany to a 3-3 draw in Cologne. They also fared well against Spain in Madrid last month, despite losing 1-0, and will aim for better this time.
The A-Team will certainly feel the pressure in this one. They’ll need at least four points to avoid relegation to League B in their last two games, meaning defeat on Saturday is unacceptable. But Petkovic is confident and promised his side will give ‘20% more than Spain in effort’ during his pre-match conference.
Although a 2-1 friendly loss to Belgium on Wednesday wasn’t an ideal start as it extended their winless run to six games.
Key Team Stats
- Winless in their last six games in all competitions (D2 L4).
- BTTS in six of their last seven games in all competitions.
- Under 2.5 goals in two of their last three Nations League games.
Spain Form & Stats
The three-time European champions, as previously mentioned, hold the all-important top spot in Group A4. Although they’re winless in their last two games and fell to a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine in their most recent Nations League game. A similar fate in Switzerland could severely dent their hopes of staying top.
Spain head to Basel on the back of a 1-1 friendly draw away to the Netherlands on Wednesday. Sergio Canales had put them ahead in the 18th-minute, only for Donny van de Beek to equalize in the second half.
Enrique, meanwhile, expects another challenge from Switzerland. The Spain boss labeled their foes as one of Europe’s most complete teams in his pre-match conference and hopes his side can pressure them from inside their own half.
The former Barcelona coach also faces a tricky decision in deciding his front three with Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and Adama Traore all in contention.
Key Team Stats
- Winless in their last six away games in all competitions (D5 L1).
- Under 1.5 goals in their last five away games in all competitions.
- Have won 16 of their 21 games against Switzerland in all competitions (D4 L1).
- Scored over one goal in just one of their last six games in all competitions.
Team News
Switzerland
Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer, Yvon Mvogo, David von Ballmoos.
Defenders: Ricardo Rodriguez, Silvan Widmer, Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Becir Omeragic, Loris Benito, Eray Comert.
Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Renato Steffen, Steven Zuber, Remo Freuler, Djibril Sow, Edimilson Fernandes.
Forwards: Haris Seferovic, Admir Mehmedi, Breel Embolo, Mario Gavranovic, Ruben Vargas.
Spain
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Unai Simon.
Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Hector Bellerin, Pau Torres, Sergio Reguilon, Jose Gaya, Sergi Roberto, Marc Cucurella, Inigo Martinez.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Koke, Rodri, Fabian, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Sergio Canales
Forwards: Alvaro Morata, Adama Traore, Marco Asensio, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Gerard, Dani Olmo.
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Head-To-Head Record
Switzerland and Spain have faced each other 21 times in the past. The visitors boast a superior record, having won 16 times compared and losing on just one occasion – the 2010 World Cup.
Here are results from the last five meetings and head-to-head stats from their recent Nations League games.
| Date | Fixture | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13/12/1989 | Spain vs Switzerland | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 02/07/1994 | Spain vs Switzerland | 3-0 | World Cup |
| 16/06/2010 | Spain vs Switzerland | 0-1 | World Cup |
| 03/06/2018 | Spain vs Switzerland | 1-1 | Friendly |
| 10/10/2020 | Spain vs Switzerland | 1-0 | Nations League |
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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