Switzerland were drawn in Group B of the 2016 World Cup qualifiers and will be starting their journey at home to Kosovo. This pool also includes Sweden and Slovenia. Let’s have a look at the prediction for this match.
Switzerland had a dismal showing in the Nations League, which ended in their relegation to League B. This, therefore, is a chance at redemption, and they will be favorites to top the group and qualify for the World Cup a sixth straight time.
Three straight wins in friendly matches should have restored the confidence. The latest of them was a 4-0 win against the USA, but that’s their only clean sheet in 11 matches. Both teams scored in seven of their last eight matches.
Kosovo may look like the underdogs heading into this game, but they are on a really strong run. They are the lowest ranking in this group (95) and haven’t participated a lot in such qualifiers. This is just their third.
A run of eight wins in the last 10 matches is the momentum the visitors need, especially with five straight wins heading into this fixture. In the June window, Kosovo beat Armenia and Comoros, but failed to keep clean sheets, conceding twice in each.
Defence has been a constant headache for the visitors even in their good recent run. Foda Franco’s men managed just three clean sheets in the last 10 matches, though they scored all but two.
The Swiss have called up Breel Embolo, despite the forward failing to play a single minute for Monaco this term. He may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Veteran stopper Lumbardh Dellova has recovered from injury to take his place in the Kosovan squad but Besiktas midfielder Milot Rashica surprisingly hasn’t been called up.
Switzerland: Kobel, Akanji, Rodriguez, Schmidt, Elvedi, Xhaka, Aebischer, Freuler, Reider, Ndoye, Vargas.
Kosovo: Saipi, Dellova, Rrahmani, Pacarada, Rexhbecaj, Berisha, Jashari, Zehgrova, Muslija, Krasniqi, Muriqi.
