Switzerland vs Sweden
The Swiss are almost home n’ hosed and one more set of World Cup 2026 qualifying highlights should just about do it.
With 10 points from their first four games, they welcome Sweden to the Stade de Geneve on Saturday night on the verge of reaching a sixth successive World Cup.
Should they reach the States next summer, they will be hoping to go further than each of the last three occasions when they were knocked out at the last 16 stage.
But one step at a time and World Cup qualifying provides a chance to cosign Sweden – considered their main rivals in Group B – to bottom spot.
Talking Points
That may surprise you for it’s only 2018 that the Swedes reached the World Cup quarter-finals and they went onto reach the last 16 at Euro 2020 (played in 2021).
Yet the days of Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are long gone and they failed to qualify for either the 2022 World Cup or last year’s European Championship.
After the Janne Andersson years, former Danish frontman Jon Dahl Tomasson was given the job but only lasted 18 games and Graham Potter has just been appointed.
Fresh from losing his job at West Ham in the Premier League, it is a punt the Swedish Football Association opted for and, in many ways, they have nothing to lose.
Potter has experience in Swedish football having spent seven successful years with Östersund from 2011.
In fact, there is great incentive for the 50 year-old who is taking charge of the final two qualifiers and will see his contract extended to cover the play-offs and next summer’s tournament should the team get there.
As it stands, that may seem slim but the Scandinavians could reach the play-offs even if they do not finish second because they won Nations League group C1.
The 12 qualifying group runners-up will be joined by the four best-ranked Nations League section winners in the play-offs next March.
Potter is inheriting a talented group of players who have underperformed, a position which cost Tomasson his job.
By contrast, Switzerland have constantly impressed me.
Coached by Murat Yakin, they have three victories and a draw from their four matches, sitting three points clear of a surprisingly resolute Kosovan side and most recently shared a goalless draw with Slovenia in the capital city of Ljubljana.
I remember feeling they were harshly treated as they bowed out to Spain at Euro 2020 in the quarter-finals and have had a soft spot for them ever since.
Their crop of established pros and emerging young talents have left them in a good place and if they see off the Swedes – talented but perhaps lacking in confidence right now – and Kosovo fail to win against Slovenia, they will qualify with one game to spare. A draw would also be enough for the Swiss if Kosovo are defeated.
History
It’s as closely a matched history as you can get with both nations enjoying 11 wins apiece and seven draws over the years.
The most recent meeting last month in Solna saw a Granit Xhaka penalty set the Swiss on their way before Johan Manzambi made the game safe in stoppage time.
That was their first encounter since the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup when a solitary goal from Emil Forsberg won the tie in St Petersburg and ensured Sweden reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1994.
The first 11 games between the sides were all friendlies, the first coming in June 1920 in Stockholm when Frederic Martenet netted the only goal in favour of the Swiss eight minutes from time.
Betting Tip
If you fancy the Swiss to seal another 2-0 success, then the SBOTOP World Cup qualifier 2025 betting odds will pay out @ 7.80 with Correct Score.
The Swiss are clear favourites, priced both 1X2 @ 1.55 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.04. Sweden, meanwhile, are out as far as 1X2 @ 5.00 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.16.
The draw is an option @ 3.89.
If you fancy a fair few goals, then bets include Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.02. 4-6 @ 2.92 and Over 3.00 @ 2.21. Total Goal 0-1 will earn you a tidy sum @ 3.65.
These are two evenly matched sides normally but this time the Swiss are well clear and can effectively seal their place at next summer’s World Cup with victory.
I think they will manage it and my *** tip is Half Time Full Time Home Home @ 2.45.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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