Spain vs Switzerland Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Nations League

Spain vs Switzerland Preview

• Tournament: UEFA Nations League.
• Date: Sunday, September 8.
• Kickoff Time: 6:45 PM GMT.
• Venue: Stade de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland.

Spain vs Switzerland will be part of round 2 of games in League A Group 4 in this year’s edition of the UEFA Nations League. Both teams will look to improve after failing to register a win in their respective opening games.

The hosts will enter this game on the back of a disappointing goalless draw against Serbia. Despite having a whopping 21 attempted shots, Spain only managed five of those on target but were unable to score. Luis De La Fuente’s men won all of their seven games en-route lifting the cup at Euro 2024, with most of their players in peak form. The coach and squad will need to lock in and figure out how to hit the same form in the upcoming games.

The visitors, on the other hand, fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Denmark in their opening game in an ill-disciplined display. Skipper Granit Xhaka and defender Nico Elvedi were both sent off in that match as the Danes walked away deserving winners. Murat Yakin’s men did reasonably well at Euro 2024, making it out of their group and even defeating Italy in the round of 16. However, they fell to England in the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out defeat.

Having said that, let’s take a look at the team news from both camps.

Spain vs Switzerland Team News

Spain National Football Team News

De La Fuente fielded a near full-strength lineup in his team’s goalless draw with Serbia, with most of the members from the Euro-winning squad included in the starting lineup. However, Serbian custodian Predrag Rajkovic had other ideas and kept the Spaniards at bay. With several other players in the squad who are of starting calibre, the coach will look to rotate his team to give everyone a fair chance in this international break.

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Switzerland National Football Team News

Manager Yakin fielded a full-strength lineup but saw his plans fall flat after two of his players were sent off over the course of the match. They were also lucky to lose just 2-0 as Denmark recorded 17 shots with eight on target, compared to the Swiss’ five shots with just one on target. With Xhaka and Elvedi suspended, Denis Zakaria and Becir Omeragic will be expected to start in their place.

Predicted Lineups

Spain National Football Team Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Robert Sanchez (GK); Daniel Carvajal (C), Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Martin Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams; Mikel Oyarzabal.

Switzerland National Football Team Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Gregor Kobel (GK); Becir Omeragic, Manuel Akanji (C), Ricardo Rodriguez; Silvan Widmer, Remo Freuler, Denis Zakaria, Michel Aebischer; Fabian Rieder, Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas.

Spain vs Switzerland Head-to-Head Record

Spain have a clear edge in the recent meetings between the two nations, having won three of the last five matches.

Last 5 Games

• Spain 1-2 Switzerland [UEFA Nations League, 25/09/22]
• Switzerland 0-1 Spain [UEFA Nations League, 10/06/22]
• Switzerland 1-1 (1-3) Spain [Euro 2020, 02/07/21]
• Switzerland 1-1 [UEFA Nations League, 15/11/20]
• Spain 1-0 [UEFA Nations League, 11/10/20]

Key Players to Watch

Lamine Yamal (Spain)

The 17-year-old sensation was easily the best player on the pitch for Spain in the last game and was rightly awarded the player of the match. He won 10 of his 16 duels and attempted four shots as he looked to make things happen for Spain. Yamal has made a solid start to the league season with Barcelona as well, scoring one goal and providing four assists in four La Liga games so far.

Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)

The Manchester City defender will have a big responsibility on his shoulders and will likely be the stand-in captain in Granit Xhaka’s absence. He will start at the heart of the Swiss defence and will look to keep things solid at the back. Akanji has made 66 appearances for Switzerland and has also chipped in with three goals and one assist in this time.

Spain vs Switzerland Prediction

Going by recent meetings, Spain do have the upper hand, but the current Switzerland side’s suspension issues give the Spaniards a big advantage. They will have all of their main players available while their hosts will be without their captain and starting defender. The Spaniards will look to win this game.

Prediction: Spain 3-1 Switzerland

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