Football Results

The prognosis before the World Cup was that the duel between Serbia and Switzerland would decide on the second passenger from this group to the round of sixteen, and it can be said that this is true, but it was not expected that Serbia would be the first after the first round and that Switzerland would win only one point in their duel with the favoured Brazil. The Swiss have managed to play 1-1 for the five world champions, while Serbia did exactly what they wanted at the beginning, which is a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica, which now gives them the necessary peace, although everything is still open in this group. This will be the first duel between Serbia and Switzerland.

Serbia

Serbia has achieved what they wanted in the first round and now this team becomes much more dangerous than it was before the match with Costa Rica. This is objectively the weakest rival with whom they will play in the group and if they have not achieved a triumph, they would surely run out of self-confidence and lose their morale, and now they are in a great mood and want to settle the question of placement in the round of sixteen before their duel with the strongest opponent Brazil. They need to win for such a thing, but it is quite clear that it will be much harder than against Costa Rica, given the strength of their rivals. There will certainly be a lot more charge than the first round, so psychological preparation is also very important.

Serbia has obviously benefited from their friendly match against Bolivia before the World Cup, because it was the weaker rival against whom they scored five goals and thus raised their self-confidence. Then striker Mitrovic also scored three goals, while he could have easily been the culprit in their duel with Costa Rica, because he missed two colossal opportunities. He was saved by the captain Kolarov, who brought them a victory with his goal from a free throw line, and as far as composition was concerned, their coach Krstajic has put Ivanovic on the right back, while Milenkovic played on the center-back. Kostic was not in midfield from the first minute, so Milivojevic played instead and everything went well. Midfielder Ljajic played something weaker and maybe Kostic replaces him in this match.

Probable lineups Serbia: Stojkovic – Ivanovic, Milenkovic, D.Tošic, Kolarov – Matic, Milivojevic – Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic, Kostic – A.Mitrovic

Switzerland

Switzerland did not win in the first round, but it can be said that they have even made a better job than Serbia, because they won one point against the big favourite Brazil and that draw has a great value, almost as a victory. It was not even unexpected when we look at how the Swiss played in qualifiers but also their friendly matches after that. No one has defeated them and that defeat at the end of the qualifiers from Portugal was the only one in the previous two years. When they played 1-1 against Spain before the World Cup, it was clear they should not be underestimated, and they only showed once again against Brazil how unpleasant and tough team they are.

They were not even thrown out of the rhythm that they received the second goal in the middle of the first half and that they were outplayed in that part of the match. When they equalized at beginning of the second part over Zuber, which was not even expected to be in the starting lineup, then their self-propagation grew and they endured all the attacks of the opponent. This point is worth a victory, because it has made the Brazilians play to the fullest extent, and the Swiss would certainly be more satisfied with a draw in this match than Serbia, because Costa Rica is waiting for them in the final round. Still, we expect the Swiss to play for victory. We do not believe that coach Petkovic will change anything in the team that was expected in the first round and justified his trust, unless instead of the injured Behrami, we see Zakaria in the team.

Probable lineups Switzerland: Sommer – Lichtstainer, Schar, Akanji, R.Rodriguez – G.Xhaka, Behrami(Zakaria) – Shaqiri, Dzemaili, Zuber – Seferovic

Verdict:

Serbia would ensure the round of sixteen with a victory in this match, but it is clear that it will be difficult to achieve, much harder than against Costa Rica, when it was not easy either. The Swiss have shown strength and they would be satisfied with a draw, and we do not believe they will lose, because it virtually throws them out of the game.

Pick: Asian Handicap 0 Switzerland 2.10 - 110/100 @1XBet