Serbia vs Switzerland Preview, Prediction, Team News, and Lineups | UEFA Nations League, Saturday, October 12, 2024

Serbia vs Switzerland Preview

Tournament: UEFA Nations League Group Stage

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Time: 7:15 pm GMT

Venue: Dubocica Stadium, Serbia

Group 4 clash in the UEFA Nations League will see Serbia host Switzerland at the Dubocica Stadium on Saturday. It is a vital game for both sides as sit at the bottom of their group behind Denmark and Spain, respectively.

Serbia lost 2-0 against Denmark away from home in their opening game of the campaign before playing out a goalless draw against Spain at home. They have one point and sit three points behind Spain in second and five behind leaders Denmark.

Switzerland, meanwhile, have yet to get any points on the board as they lost their opening two games. They lost 2-0 against Denmark, where Switzerland were reduced to 10 men before losing 4-1 against a 10-men Spain. Both sides will be desperate for a win if they are to qualify for the next round of the Nations League.

Serbia National Football Team News

Serbia are without striker Luka Jovic for the clash. The AC Milan striker is recovering from a hip injury and is expected to return in late October or early November.

Switzerland National Football Team News

Switzerland, meanwhile, are without defender Nico Elvedi. The Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back suffered a shoulder injury and is expected to return in mid-November.

Serbia vs Switzerland Predicted Lineups

Serbia national football team predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Goalkeeper: Predrag Rajkovic

Defenders: Strahinja Pavlovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Strahinja Erakovic

Midfielders: Veljko Birmancevic, Sasa Lukic, Marko Grujic, Ivan Ilic, Kosta Nedeljkovic

Attackers: Lazar Samardzic, Aleksandar Mitrovic

Switzerland national football team predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel

Defenders: Gregory Wuthrich, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez

Midfielders: Becir Omeragic, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Michel Aebischer

Attackers: Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo, Fabiran Rieder

Serbia vs Switzerland H2H Record

In their last two meetings, Switzerland have won both times.

Last 5 results:

Serbia 2-3 Switzerland – FFIA World Cup – December 3, 2022

Serbia 1-2 Switzerland – FIFA World Cup – June 22, 2018

Also Read: Ukraine vs Georgia Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | UEFA Nations League, October 11, 2024

Key Players to watch in Serbia vs Switzerland

Aleksandar Mitrovic

With Luka Jovic out injured, the veteran striker is expected to come back in the starting XI against Switzerland. He has scored 58 goals and provided five assists in 94 games for Serbia so far.

At the club level, Aleksandar Mitrovic has been stellar. He joined Al-Hilal from Fulham in the summer of 2023 and helped them dominate Saudi Arabia football. He scored 40 goals and provided eight assists in 44 games across competitions as they won every domestic trophy.

Mitrovic has continued his form this season, registering 14 goals and two assists in 11 games across competitions so far.

Granit Xhaka

The Bayer Leverkusen man will likely be the key for Switzerland against Serbia. Granit Xhaka faced disappointment after being sent off against Denmark last month and was then suspended for the clash against Spain. He will be keen to make amends this time around.

Last season, Xhaka played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s Invincible Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal triumph. They also reached the Europa League final. He’s been excellent this season as well, scoring one goal and providing three assists in 10 games across competitions.

For Switzerland, Xhaka has scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists in 131 games across competitions so far.

Serbia vs Switzerland Prediction

Both sides find themselves in a precarious position in Group 4 of League A of the UEFA Nations League. While Serbia are third, Switzerland are fourth and both face a potential elimination this month itself.

Switzerland have won just one of their last six games across competitions, losing two and drawing the other three. Their two defeats came in their last two matches. The team ranked 15^th in the FIFA World Rankings will look to bounce back against a resilient Serbian side.

Serbia have also won just one of their last six games across competitions but are winless in their last five, with three draws and two losses. They lost 2-0 against Denmark in their last game and will be keen to take full benefit of their home advantage. While Luka Jovic is a big loss, Aleksandar Mitrovic is an excellent replacement. They should be able to get past Switzerland.

Predicted Score: Serbia 2-1 Switzerland

Also Read: Bosnia vs Germany Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | UEFA Nations League, October 11, 2024

Where to watch Serbia vs Switzerland Live?

FAQs