Serbia v Switzerland predictions: Swiss can roll on to the knockout stages

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Serbia v Switzerland in World Cup Group G on Friday.

Where to watch

ITV4, 7pm Friday

Best bet

Switzerland draw no bet
1pt Evs Hills

Switzerland are in a strong position to progress to the knockout phase despite their 1-0 loss to Brazil on Monday, and they can make sure of a last-16 berth by defeating a Serbia side who have failed to live up to expectations in Qatar.

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Match preview

Switzerland have made the round of 16 at three of the last four World Cups and the Swiss can again progress to the knockout stage by defeating Serbia at Stadium 974.

There was disappointment for the Swiss on Monday as Casemiro's 83rd-minute strike consigned them to a 1-0 defeat to Brazil. The result was probably a fair reflection of the match but Switzerland put in an organised, fully committed performance and they have a knack of performing to their maximum at major tournaments.

The same cannot be said of Serbia, who have lost eight of 11 World Cup finals matches.

Serbia qualified for Qatar impressively, finishing above Portugal in their section, and enjoyed a decent Nations League campaign in which they took 13 points from six matches.

However, they failed to rise to the occasion in their World Cup opener against Brazil - losing the match 2-0 and the shot count 23 to five - and drew 3-3 draw with Cameroon last time out despite taking a 3-1 lead eight minutes into the second half.

Serbia should have had enough knowhow and quality to preserve that advantage, but they failed to manage the situation and were caught square at the back twice in the space of four minutes which allowed Cameroon to salvage a point.

Despite suffering two major disappointments, Serbia are still in with a fighting chance of progression because a victory over the Swiss would see them through as long as Cameroon don't pull of a shock against Brazil.

They have plenty of goalscoring potential with Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic leading the line and high-class pair Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusan Tadic playing in offensive midfield positions. And they looked more dangerous from the left against Cameroon thanks to Filip Kostic's return from injury.

When comparing the attacking individuals in both camps it would be easy to conclude that Serbia should hold an edge. But Switzerland are much better defensively, conceding one goal compared to Serbia's five, and they appear to have a stronger resolve when the going gets tough.

Switzerland are sometimes criticised for not having reached a World Cup quarter-final since hosting the tournament in 1954. But they are a small nation and should be praised for regularly reaching the knockout rounds at World Cups, as well as going all the way to the last eight at Euro 2020.

The Swiss are a side who none of the tournament favourites would enjoy playing in the knockout rounds, and that is exactly where they should be after the final whistle is blown against Serbia.

Key stat

Serbia have lost eight of 11 matches at World Cup finals.

Team news

Serbia
Defender Strahinja Pavlovic came off injured in the 3-3 draw with Cameroon and could make way for Stefan Mitrovic in the back three.

Switzerland
Noah Okafor (muscle strain) is a doubt so Xherdan Shaqiri could come back into contention after being rested against Brazil.

Probable teams

Serbia (3-4-2-1) V Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Veljkovic, S Mitrovic; Zivkovic, Maksimovic, Lukic, Kostic; Tadic, S Milinkovic-Savic; A Mitrovic.

Switzerland (4-2-3-1) Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo.

Inside info

Serbia

Top scorer in probable team Aleksandar Mitrovic
Star player Aleksandar Mitrovic
Penalty taker Aleksandar Mitrovic
Assist ace Dusan Tadic
Set-piece aerial threat Aleksandar Mitrovic
Card magnet Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Switzerland

Top scorer in probable team Xherdan Shaqiri
Star player Granit Xhaka
Penalty taker Ricardo Rodriguez
Assist ace Xherdan Shaqiri
Set-piece aerial threat Manuel Akanji
Card magnet Granit Xhaka

Serbia v Switzerland Bet Builder

Switzerland to win Switzerland defeated Serbia 2-1 in the group stage at Russia 2018 and they can again take all three points in Doha.

Under 2.5 goals The Swiss know how to defend and their pragmatic style could contribute to a low-scoring outcome.

Breel Embolo to score The Switzerland striker has had a decent season for Monaco and his confidence should be high after scoring the winning goal against Cameroon.

Price guide 16-1