Switzerland vs Slovenia Predictions
Switzerland host Slovenia in Lucerne on Saturday, looking to maintain their perfect start to Group B1.
Murat Yakin's side have eased to impressive road wins in North Macedonia and Scotland in the past week, and I expect more of the same at Swissporarena.
Switzerland to win and over 1.5 goals is my best bet.
Switzerland vs Slovenia Form
- Switzerland won 5 of their last 7 matches
- Switzerland scored 2+ goals in their last 16 victories
- Slovenia lost 3 of their last 5 away matches
- Slovenia conceded 2+ goals in 11 of their last 12 defeats
Switzerland Hold Recent H2H Advantage
Switzerland and Slovenia have met on two occasions since 2020. Switzerland claimed a 3-0 home win in World Cup qualifying last September before the nations played out a goalless draw in Ljubljana a month later.
The Swiss have won seven of the 11 previous meetings, including four of the last five played on home soil.
Switzerland Set Early Pace
Switzerland return home after an emphatic 3-0 win against Scotland at Hampden on Tuesday.
Jack Hendry's red card for a professional foul before Ricardo Rodriguez’s fine free-kick set the tone for a one-sided contest at Hampden.
Nico Elvedi and Zeki Amdouni added second-half goals to secure a comfortable victory for Murat Yakin’s men.
The Swiss dominated for long spells, registering 21 shots to Scotland's two.
Switzerland began their Nations League B, Group 1 campaign with a 3-0 win against North Macedonia last weekend. Amdouni bagged twice in that routine road success.
One of the toughest sides to beat in Europe, Yakin’s men are unbeaten in 21 of their last 22 matches (90 minutes only).
Winners in five of their seven most recent fixtures, the Swiss scored at least two goals in all five victories.
Slovenia Face Toughest Group Test
Slovenia make the trip to Lucerne after a much-needed 2-0 win against North Macedonia in Ljubljana on Tuesday.
Sandi Lovric broke the deadlock early in the second half before substitute Aljosa Matko sealed victory at Stozice Stadium.
Slovenia were deserved winners, with final match stats reflecting their dominance. The hosts had 16 shots to North Macedonia’s nine and finished with a significantly higher xG total (1.97-0.68).
Bostjan Cesar’s side had failed to win ten of 11 previous games before their midweek win against North Macedonia.
Tuesday’s victory followed a backs-to-the-wall goalless draw against Scotland. Slovenia managed just four shots as the Scots failed to make the most of their chances last Saturday.
A lack of attacking threat has been the biggest concern for Slovenia. The visitors scored only eight goals in their last 11 matches.
Switzerland vs Slovenia Squads & Team News
Switzerland Squad
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller
Defenders: Sascha Britschgi, Adrian Bajrami, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Eray Comert, Zachary Athekame
Midfielders: Vincent Sierro, Joel Monteiro, Remo Freuler, Johan Manzambi, Ardon Jashari, Djibril Sow, Michel Aebischer, Fabian Rieder, Alvyn Sanches
Forwards: Zeki Amdouni, Dan Ndoye, Cedric Itten, Winsley Boteli
Swiss bos Yakin could retain much of the side that won at Hampden. Amdouni has scored three goals in his last two appearances and is likely to keep his place in the Swiss attack.
Aurele Amenda, Denis Zakaria and Ruben Vargas are ruled out through injury, while Granit Xhaka is not available after admitting he obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
Yakin missed Switzerland's pre-match media conference before Tuesday's match with Scotland, with the Swiss FA saying Yakin had "hearing problems".
"He struggled with the pressure from the flight so can't participate in this press conference," the organisation said.
"He will be at the training session and we hope these complaints will be solved, as has been the case in the past, and he can be in good health for the game.
"There were some problems with the weight as we entered the flight. It means we had to land again in Zurich and they had to put more fuel in the engine."
Slovenia Squad
Goalkeepers: Jan Oblak, Matevz Vidovsek, Zan-Luk Leban, Igor Vekic
Defenders: Zan Karnicnik, Jure Balkovec, Srdjan Kuzmic, Jaka Bijol, Erik Janza, David Zec, Vanja Drkusic, David Brekalo, Jost Urbancic
Midfielders: Mark Zabukovnik, Tjas Begic, Sandi Lovric, Timi Max Elsnik, Tamar Svetlin, Tomi Horvat, Adam Gnezda Cerin
Forwards: Zan Celar, Danijel Sturm, Zan Vipotnik, Aljosa Matko
Head coach Cesar is likely to retain the bulk of the same XI that started Tuesday’s win in Ljubljana.
Zan Celar and Timi Max Elsnik are also in contention after coming off the bench against North Macedonia.
Benjamin Sesko remains sidelined, while Zan Zaletel and Benjamin Verbic have withdrawn through injury.