Switzerland – Israel : Preview & Prediction
Switzerland has never qualified for three European Championships in a row, but got their campaign off to a perfect start to correct that record with a resounding 5-0 win over Belarus. Such a resounding victory was not enough to completely satisfy head coach Murat Yakin, who maintained that Switzerland “can definitely do better” as he prepares his team to face Israel.
The Swiss side seem to have put their embarrassing World Cup exit against Portugal behind them, and will want to build on a very solid record in the European qualifiers after losing just two of their last 17 games in these stages (G13, E2). The comfort of playing at home makes Switzerland even more difficult to beat, as England is the only team to have beaten them at home during European Championship qualifiers so far this century (G13, E2).
That highlights the complexity Israel will face in this match, as they are also 64 places below Switzerland (#12) in the FIFA Ranking. At least on a positive note, Switzerland are unbeaten in their last four official matches against the Alpine nation (E4), and also avoided defeat in their opening match of this qualifying campaign against Kosovo, coming from behind and relying on VAR to salvage a 1-1 draw in Tel Aviv.
As the third-highest ranked team in the group according to the FIFA Ranking, Israel will need to start turning draws into wins if they are to reach a European finals for the first time in their history. Their last attempt fell short in the playoff round against Scotland on penalties, and avenging that defeat may hinge on improving their away form, having lost five consecutive away qualifiers, conceding more than three goals on three occasions in that span.
Players to watch: Swiss striker Renato Steffen ended an almost 18-month scoring drought for his country with a hat-trick (in just 25 minutes) against Belarus. The task of cancelling him out will fall to Israeli defender Eli Dasa, who despite scoring an own goal against Kosovo, has avoided defeat in his four official appearances as captain.
Key statistic: Only one of Switzerland’s last six European Championship qualifiers has ended in goals for both teams.
Switzerland – Israel : Betting Tips
Switzerland – Win Odds: 1.35
