Preview: Switzerland vs. Serbia – prediction, team news, lineups

Switzerland will be playing for their top status when they host Serbia On Friday evening, after a difficult start in League A, Group 4 looked relegated in the face.

After gaining just one point, the Swiss can no longer reach the top two and will be automatically relegated if they fail to win in Zurich, while their opponents still hope to make the top two. UEFA Nations Leaguethe knockout phase.

Match example

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After twice letting a lead slip at home to Denmark in their most recent outing, Switzerland saw their aim of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals this season thwarted – and the wait for a first win since Euro 2024 continued.

Murat Jakin‘s team took the lead twice in St. Gallen Remo Freuler‘s opener and a Zeki Amdouni penalty just before half-time – but in the end they had to settle for a point, their only point so far Group 4.

Previously, Die Nati had lost to the Danes, followed by defeats to Spain and Serbia in October, putting them in imminent danger of finding themselves in League B if the group stage reaches the final.

Their task is quite simple, as anything short of victory on Friday night would seal relegation; winning will take their fight for survival back to the final matchday, as finishing third would secure a play-off against second-tier opponents.

Even then, reigning European and Nations League champions Spain await Switzerland’s final match, which will take place in Tenerife next Monday.

Yakin, a divisive figure whose declining reputation was restored at the European Championship, will be keen to avoid adding relegation to his CV as he hopes to remain in the hotseat and lead his country towards the 2026 World Cup.

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Serbia may have failed to make it out of the group at the 2024 European Championship, while the Swiss advanced to the quarter-finals, but they have had a more positive Nations League season so far.

Dragan Stojkovic led his side to a commendable goalless draw against Spain on matchday one, before overseeing a 2-0 defeat in Denmark and last month’s home win over Switzerland – the latter sealed by a Aleksandar Mitrovic strike on the hour mark.

Although the Eagles were utterly dominated in their return match against La Roja, lost 3-0 in Córdoba after having only a third of the ball, they can still look for a place in the newly expanded knockout stages.

Three points behind second-placed Denmark, victory at Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium would take the race to next week’s final round; Serbia, however, will be cannot continue if they lose and Denmark avoid defeat – or if they draw and the Danes beat Spain.

That’s the nature of UEFA’s new format: they could still be relegated by letting Switzerland surpass them, or by finishing third and then losing a play-off.

Form Switzerland Nations League:

Switzerland form (all competitions):

Form of the Serbia Nations League:

Form Serbia (all competitions):

Team news

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Murat Yakin is facing a serious selection headache in defense and has to make do without it Fabian Schar – who retired from international football after the European Championship – Nico Elvedi And Manuel Akanjiwith the latter missing this month’s action due to an adductor injury.

For the first time in eight years, none of the trio will be in Switzerland’s starting line-up, meaning the only centre-backs in a 24-man squad are an uncapped pair. Aurele Amenda And Albian Hajdari.

Midfielder Eray Comert could be asked to feature in the hosts’ backline as a versatile veteran Denis Zakaria is also offside, next to Bologna’s winger Then Ndoje.

While Granit Xhaka Captaining Die Nati from midfield, Serbia’s all-time leading scorer is Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has found the net 59 times in 96 appearances for his country and has been in good form for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.

Another Saudi Arabia-based star, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is omitted, while his brother, goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savicwithdrew.

His Torino teammate Ivan Ilic is ruled out due to a knee injury suffered during the recent Derby della Mole against Juventus, but Dragan Stojkovic can at least welcome the Juve striker Dusan Vlahovicwhich was not available in October.

Possible starting lineup for Switzerland:
Kobel; Widmer, Hajdari, Comert, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Amdouni, Rieder, Aebischer; Embolo

Possible starting line-up for Serbia:
Petrovic; Erakovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Nedeljkovic, Maksimovic, Grujic, Terzic; Samardzic; Vlahovic, Mitrovic

We say: Switzerland 2-2 Serbia

Although Switzerland defeated Serbia at both of the last two World Cups, they lost the last time these countries met and are dealing with an injury crisis.

Although the Eagles are not doing well, their front line should cause the makeshift Swiss defense plenty of problems on Friday when a draw would send the home side to relegation.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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