FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Serbia vs Switzerland Preview
Kaliningrad Stadium will be the venue when Serbia and Switzerland meet for the first time at 2 pm ET. Both teams are playing with confidence after gaining positive results in their respective first matches. Mladen Krstajic’s team ran out 1-0 winners over Costa Rica thanks to a Aleksandar Kolarov free kick. Switzerland, on the other hand achieved a surprise draw against favorites Brazil.
Background
Serbia can progress to the knockout rounds with a win versus their European neighbors and presently have no injury issues. Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic will have a tough job with this organized Swiss team. “We have respect for them, but our objective will be to try to threaten them from start to finish,” he said. “We have the quality to do it” he explained speaking to the press.
The major strength of Switzerland is their defense, for instance, their ability to limit Brazil’s attack on match-day one. Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic enjoyed an impressive World Cup debut against the South Americans and will have to put in a similar performance on Friday afternoon. Steven Zuber scored ‘The Red Crosses’ only goal cancelling out Coutinho’s amazing curler. However, getting on the score sheet once more against the Serbians can be an even greater accomplishment for his coach Vladimir Petkovic and his nation.
Predicted Lineups
Serbia: Stojkovic; Ivanovic, Milenkovic, Tosic, Kolarov; Milivojevic, Matic; Tadic, Milenkovic-Savic, Kostic; Mitrovic
Switzerland: Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Schaer, Akanji, Rodriguez; Behrami, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Dzemaili, Zuber; Seferovic
Prediction
This is perhaps the most evenly matched game of the 2018 World Cup so far and Serbia appear to be slightly superior, although not enough to be favorites. Their Swiss opponents have a greater need for a win and will be prepared to give their all to obtain it. “We will discover Serbia’s weaknesses” assured Zuber speaking to the press on Thursday. We can expect exactly that to happen in this group defining contest, but at the same time, Serbian captain Aleksandar Kolarov will ensure his team returns the favor.
Serbia 2 – 2 Switzerland
