12 Jun 2019
Friday’s World Cup games are fascinating. While Brazil v Costa Rica should see the favourites winning the 1pm game, Nigeria v Iceland at 4pm is likely not going to make much noise in Group D, as Argentina and Croatia would appear to be the most likely to go through to the knockout stage.
That leaves us with Serbia v Switzerland and the World Cup Group E odds suggest that there is little to choose between the two.
Switzerland held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their opening game, while Serbia top the group, having beaten Costa Rica 1-0, with a curling Aleksander Kolorov free-kick. They dominated play, however, creating several clear-cut chances and failed to take them.
The key to Serbia is their midfield pairing of Nemaja Matic and Luka Milivohevic, who did a good job in shutting down the Costa Rica supply line.
The Swiss were able to come from a goal down to earn a draw with World Cup favourites Brazil, Steven Zuber’s header from a corner proving enough for a vital point. What struck many about the Swiss was their no-nonsense approach – they were not going to allow Brazil to out-play them, so they asserted their physicality. Whether they will be able to knock an equally powerful Serbia side off their stride in the same manner is open to argument. We have seen a lot of soft refereeing in this tournament so far and that does not augur well, especially for this clash which could be something of a war in the trenches, to coin a cliché from NFL parlance.
Outside of Xheridan Shaquiri, who at times can be more of a liability than an asset as he goes missing for long periods, Switzerland lack a little inventiveness. In short, they are one of the most boring of the 32 teams in Russia.
Serbia’s young Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is high on the list of summer transfer targets for top-level Premier League clubs, thanks to an eye-opening season at Lazio. He shone in the opener against Costa Rica and has a good understanding with Southampton’s Dusan Tadic.
If Aleksander Mitrovic has a little more luck in front of goal, Serbia may head into their final game against Brazil with maximum points and qualification already assured.
Switzerland will be all but in the last 16 with a victory, so there is plenty to play for. The loser may struggle to qualify, although they will know exactly what they have to do by the time they kick off, given Brazil’s earlier encounter.
Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic has no major injury concerns and will likely keep the same like-up as in the first game.
The Swiss may choose to sit former West Ham man Valon Behrami, as he picked up a yellow card against Brazil, but Haris Seferovic is likely to keep his starting spot up front after giving Thiago Silva and Miranda a few problems in their draw against Brazil.
For the Swiss, a defeat would all but eliminate them, leaving them needed a win over Costa Rica, coupled with the need for Serbia to beat Brazil. A draw would not end their hopes, although should Brazil beat Costa Rica, they would need to also beat them and hope Brazil beat Serbia in the final game.
The Group E odds suggest that Brazil and Serbia will go through, but there is not much in it.
Verdict:
Serbia 2-1 Switzerland - the Correct Score Odds are 10/1.
This could be a very cagey affair with both teams knowing defeat could eliminate them. Serbia already have three points, so a point would suit them, although facing Brazil in the last game means their best route to the last 16 is by securing the win here. Switzerland may be content with a draw, knowing they should have enough to beat Costa Rica in the final game. It is a difficult game to call, but we side with Serbia, who have enough firepower to secure the win.
Check out all the latest odds for Serbia v Switzerland
