Portugal vs Switzerland Preview
Within the closing tie of the Spherical of 16, Portugal will tackle Switzerland on the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, with each side aiming to achieve a territory they haven’t charted for a substantial time period.
Going into their closing sport towards South Korea, with qualification already assured, Fernando Santos’ aspect required solely a solitary level to verify their standing as Group H winners. Whereas they might not keep away from the pangs of defeat, Ghana’s loss ensured that Portugal secured the highest spot.
Having hit the bottom operating and received their first two matches within the group stage, Santos had the privilege of resting his prime gamers and fielding a second-string aspect in Portugal’s closing fixture, which they dramatically misplaced in harm time to South Korea.
Usually on this marketing campaign, Portugal’s defence has not been an embodiment of an unbreakable brick wall, and a cumulative xGA – Anticipated Objectives Allowed – of three.9 additionally doesn’t mirror too favourably on the Selecao.
However they’ve been readily bailed out by their attacking prowess, which has been flowing with gusto, particularly within the first two video games. Six targets scored in three video games, with an xG of 4.6, Santos can be wishing that his aspect keep their conversion fee.
Portugal have superior out of their group for the fourth time within the final 4 main tournaments however the truth that the Selecao haven’t reached the final 8 on the earth cup since 2006 should really feel like an excellent annoying inch they’ll be dying to do away with.
Alternatively, Switzerland completed stage on factors with the favourites-to-win-the-title Brazil in Group G. Their golden era of soccer, now below the stewardship of Murat Yakin, simply retains on giving.
Within the means of progressing to the subsequent stage for the fifth time in 5 main competitions since 2004, the Rossocrociati performed one of many video games of the event – sure, there have been many!
A do-or-die affair for each events concerned, neither the Serbs nor the Swiss held again. There have been 15 pictures earlier than the whistle blew for the primary half! From begin to end it was a high-intensity, high-action, basketball-style sport that was settled by Remo Freuler’s Forty eighth-minute winner, a crew aim brimming with pizzazz that was wholly worthy of taking the Swiss to the subsequent spherical.
Furthermore, Switzerland would take coronary heart from understanding that they have been evidently the dominant aspect, particularly within the second half, in each their victories, in addition to for holding their very own towards Brazil and preserving them at bay for nearly the whole thing of the sport.
With an actual likelihood of reaching the final eight for the primary time since 1954, Yakin can be urging his gamers to take inspiration from current and (comparatively) historical historical past because the Swiss defeated Portugal 1-0 of their most up-to-date encounter within the Nations League in addition to getting the higher of them 2-0 at Euro 2008 in what was their solely earlier conflict at a significant event.
Gamechangers
It’s tough to be a star in a crew that additionally boasts of Cristiano Ronaldo but when anybody is aware of how one can obtain that, it’s Bruno Fernandes. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder has been in a type of chic kind that additionally elevates the extent of his teammates.
A frontrunner determine on and off the pitch, there have been occasions on this world cup marketing campaign when Fernandes has dragged, carried, uplifted, and impressed Portugal’s assault. With two targets and assists a bit, it’s no marvel that he’s Selecao’s prime goalscorer and assist-maker. He’s additionally main the xA (0.4) charts for his crew.
Pacy and highly effective, Switzerland’s quantity 7 is sort of a magnetic power on the soccer pitch, particularly in and across the field. Whether or not he finally ends up placing the ball within the internet or not, thrilling issues occur round him.
Having overtaken Haris Seferovic because the chief of the pack, Embolo has been strolling the speak in Qatar until now. The 25-year-old Monaco man is the Rossocrociati’s main goalscorer (2) and has an xG of two.21, by far the very best within the crew.
Giroud simply needed to try that one 😆🚲#France #FRA #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jeqHYwKOc3
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) December 4, 2022
Group Information
The largest blow for Portugal on this marketing campaign, injury-wise, got here when PSG left-back Nuno Mendes was dominated out of the World Cup on account of a thigh harm he sustained towards Uruguay. His membership teammate, Danilo Pereira, additionally has harm doubts looming over him, as he broken his ribs throughout a coaching session.
Otavio, who missed the final two video games due to muscular discomfort, is nevertheless getting nearer to first-team motion.
Portugal Predicted Line-up: Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Guerreiro; B. Silva, Neves, Otavio; Fernandes, Ronaldo, Felix.
The dependable Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer alongside one among his defenders, Nico Elvedi, didn’t characteristic within the thriller towards Serbia by sickness. They need to be nearing their return and out there for the tie.
Switzerland Predicted Line-up: Sommer; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo.
Prediction
Too usually the Swiss have proven that they cherish the underdog tag within the greatest of the matches and will not be afraid of punching above their weight. In what threatens to be a extremely attacking, open sport, Yakin’s aspect may kill one other large in a world cup the place large killing has been a daily characteristic. FootTheBall predicts a 3-2 win for Switzerland.
