Switzerland v Cameroon predictions: Swiss defence could hold key to success

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

Where to watch

ITV, 10am Thursday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 4-6 bet365

Switzerland have scored fewer than two goals in six of their previous seven World Cup openers and they could get drawn into a low-scoring game by Cameroon, who will be doing their best to avoid an eighth successive group-stage defeat.

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Match preview

The general increase in playing time has been a positive development at this World Cup but there have been plenty of tight games and a low-scoring outcome could be on the cards between Switzerland and Cameroon in Al Wakrah.

Switzerland have reached the last 16 at three of the last four World Cups and their next challenge is to go one step further by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954, when they were tournament hosts.

The Swiss will have been encouraged by their performance at Euro 2020, where they reached the last eight with a penalty-shootout success over France, but it is important they do not get too far ahead of themselves.

They have been drawn in a tough group and anything other than a victory over Cameroon would leave them would a tough task to qualify.

Cameroon's expectations are more modest than they were at this year's Africa Cup of Nations, when they reached the semi-finals as tournament hosts and still felt a sense of disappointment.

They finished pointless at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and have not won a World Cup match since Samuel Eto'o's goal secured a 1-0 success over Saudi Arabia in the 2002 group stage.

Rigobert Song captained the side that day and, having assumed the head coach position, he will have an even more important leadership role over the next ten days as he attempts to turn his team into a competitive force.

Cameroon's build-up has been underwhelming with friendly defeats against Uzbekistan and South Korea before 1-1 draws with Jamaica and Panama.

But they have some talented individuals and it will be interesting to see if they can realise a bit more of their potential.

Cameroon's attacking arsenal is arguably more impressive than that of the Swiss, with Bayern Munich attacker Eric Choupo-Moting, Lyon forward Karl Toko-Ekambi and Al Nasr's veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar, who has scored 33 goals in 91 internationals, among the established options.

Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo is a much more recent addition but he has match-winning qualities, as he has shown in the Premier League over the last 16 months.

Napoli's Andre-Frank Zambo Aguissa is the key man in midfield and it will be fascinating to see whether he or Swiss talisman Granit Xhaka will have a greater influence on the game.

Murat Yakin's side are strong in midfield and solid at the back, where Fabian Schar and Manuel Akanji form a strong partnership.

And Switzerland's ability to keep clean sheets – they achieved six shutouts in eight qualifying games – might give them the edge.

However, any Swiss success is unlikely to be accompanied by a glut of goals and the safer odds-on option may be to side with under 2.5 goals.

Key stat

None of Cameroon's last seven matches has featured more than two goals

Team news

Switzerland
Yann Sommer shook off an ankle injury to feature in the pre-tournament friendly against Ghana and he should take his place between the sticks. No fresh injuries are reported.

Cameroon
Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song has the luxury of a fully fit squad to select from.

Probable teams

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

Cameroon (4-4-2) Onana; Fai, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Ebosse; Mbeumo, Oum Gouet, Zambo-Anguissa, Toko-Ekambi; Choupo-Moting, Aboubakar.

Inside info

Switzerland

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

Cameroon

Top scorer in probable team Vincent Aboubakar
Star player Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa
Penalty taker Vincent Aboubakar
Assist ace Bryan Mbuemo
Set-piece aerial threat Nicolas Nkoulou
Card magnet Collins Fai

Switzerland v Cameroon Bet Builder

Switzerland to win Switzerland will have targeted the Cameroon game as a must-win and they can do just enough to secure maximum points
Under 2.5 goals Cameroon's last seven games have generated just 11 goals and there is every chance of a low-scoring outcome against the Swiss
Granit Xhaka to have two or more shots The Arsenal midfielder has a license to get forward and will not be shy in attempting to add to his 12 international goals

Price guide 7-1