Switzerland will look to bolster their position away from the bottom of Group B when they host the Czech Republic at the AFG Arena on Tuesday at 19:45 GMT. The Czech Republic will be looking to take three points to move closer to second-placed Portugal.
Match Preview
Can Switzerland Leapfrog Czech Republic to 2nd on in the Group with a Win?
Murat Yakin will be looking to build on their win over Portugal on matchday 4 to help bolster their form and turn their form in the Nations League around.
Before the triumph over Portugal, Switzerland lost three consecutive matches in the tournament. Yakin will be hoping that his side have turned their form around and could deliver a winning performance against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Switzerland will especially look to bolster their defensive shape against the dangerous Czech Republic attack, especially in quick transitions.
Can the Czech Republic End their Two-Match Losing Run with a Win?
After a win and a draw in their opening two fixtures in the Nations League, the Czech Republic have lost two on the trot, which means they are third on the table, just a point ahead of their Tuesday opponents Switzerland.
Jaroslav Šilhavý will look to bolster his side’s game management against a Switzerland side that likes to attack.
The focus will be on maintaining their shape when out of possession and transitioning quickly to attacking when they win the ball back.
Form Guide
Switzerland
Apart from their win over Portugal in their last outing, Murat Yakin’s side have been in poor form in this term’s Nations League campaign.
They opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to the Czech Republic; this was the kind of match that Switzerland were expected to take points from. In the second match, they were comprehensively beaten 4-0 away to Portugal.
Matchday saw Switzerland lose narrowly 0-1 at home to Spain before they hosted and beat Portugal on matchday 4. Murat Yakin will be looking to turn their form around when he hosts the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic started brightly in Group B before their form tailed off, which has seen them lose ground to the pacesetters – Spain and Portugal.
However, Jaroslav Šilhavý will be looking at the clash with Switzerland as a chance to turn their form around and get the points they need.
They opened their campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Switzerland before holing Spain to a 2-2 draw on matchday 2.
Jaroslav Šilhavý’s side have not won since; their matchday 3 ended in a 2-0 defeat away to Portugal before they were beaten 2-0 away o Spain in matchday 4.
Possible Starting Lineups
Switzerland
Omlin; S. Widmer, M. Akanji, N. Elvedi, R. Rodriguez; R. Freuler, G. Xhaka, D. Sow; X. Shaqiri, H. Seferovic, B. Embolo
Czech Republic
Mandous; V. Jemelka, J. Brabec, D. Zima; J. Zeleny, M. Sadlek, T. Soucek, V. Coufal; J. Pesek, J. Kuchta, V. Cemy
Players to Watch
B. Embolo
The 25-year-old forward who plays for Ligue 1 side Monaco has been in fine form this season. Embolo has scored two goals in eight appearances for Monaco this season while also notching once in two appearances in the Europa League.
Embolo will be crucial for Switzerland as they look to turn their form around and collect the points they need in their group.
The striker offers pace, penetration, link-up play, and dynamic movement. These tools are crucial in making the Switzerland attack unpredictable and thus dangerous against any defense.
V. Cemy
The 24-year-old winger, who plays for the Eredivisie side Twente, has been in fine form this season. He has grabbed 4 goals in 7 Eredivisie appearances for Twente.
Cemy’s good form is fantastic news for both Twente and Jaroslav Šilhavý, who is looking to use the winger in the clash against Switzerland.
Cemy will offer explosive pace down the wings, dangerous crossing, and the ability to cut in the pose a goal threat by linking up with the striker and advanced midfielders.
Prediction
Switzerland will look to be proactive and play on the front foot. The focus will be on keeping the ball and winning it back through pressing as soon as they have lost it. This will need a high-energy and high-intensity performance.
The Czech Republic will look to be reactive. They will lay with a low bloc and will rely on quick transitions and counter-attacks to pose an attacking threat to Switzerland.
With their quality and home advantage, Switzerland will win this match and take all three points.