Switzerland
Switzerland come into the knockout stages on the back of edging past co-hosts Canada to top spot in Group B. Murat Yakin’s side, who reached the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2024, collected seven points from their three group stage matches.
Having been stunned by a 1-1 draw against Qatar in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Swiss did then hammer Bosnia and Herzegovina by four goals to one in Los Angeles with all five goals in that game coming after the 74th minute, before they then beat Canada 2-1 in Vancouver.
Injuries & Team News
Switzerland’s only injury concern is Silvan Widmer, with the full-back not taking part in training on Sunday due to hip discomfort, though he has not been ruled out.
Perhaps Luca Jaquez will be rewarded for his performance against Canada and start at right-back, while Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji are set to retain their places as centre-backs.
Granit Xhaka is a certain inclusion in midfield, while Johan Manzambi’s technical quality and combativeness could be useful in a role behind striker Breel Embolo.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 2-1 Canada | D W D D W W |
Predicted Line-Up
Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Jaquez, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Sow, Manzambi, Vargas; Embolo
Algeria
In their final game in the group stage against Austria, a draw would have been ideal for both with an Algeria win actually eliminating Austria but presenting the North Africans with an unwanted tie against Spain. There was then some surprise as a bizarrely entertaining game saw Riyad Mahrez score a late goal to put Algeria ahead before Sasa Kalajdzic did then equalise for the Austrians deep into second-half stoppage-time.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side were enterprising early on in their opener against Argentina before succumbing to a Lionel Messi hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat, before they then came from behind to defeat Jordan by two goals to one, with Mahrez coming to the party to assist Amine Gouiri’s winning goal.
Injuries & Team News
Algeria attacker Mohamed El Amine Amoura is a serious doubt due to an unspecified injury, and while he has a chance of returning in the next few days, he is in a race against time to be fit.
If he is not ready to feature from the start, expect to see a frontline consisting of Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Fares Chaibi and Amine Gouiri on Friday.
Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb will hope to earn his 64th cap, and he could be asked to protect central defenders Aissa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaini.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 3-3 vs Austria | D W W L W D |
Predicted Line-Up
Algeria possible starting lineup:
Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Maza, Chaibi; Gouiri
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland Win | 19/20 – (1.85) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 12/5 – (3.90) | Dream Vegas |
| Algeria Win | 4/1 – (5.00) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Switzerland 2-1 Algeria
Switzerland impressed in the group stages and i believe they will have too much for an Algerian side who struggled when they faced better opposition in Argentina.