Belarus-Switzerland is a match on the first day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group I and is played on Saturday at 18:00: TV, predictions
Switzerland, Italy’s executioner in the last World Cup qualifiers, seem to have their way to first place in Group I. This time it will be enough to finish in the top two to snatch a direct pass for Euro 2024. And it is unlikely that one of the two slots will not be occupied by Murat Yakin’s Swiss side, confirmed despite their inglorious exit from the Qatar World Cup, that humiliating 6-1 defeat in the round of 16 against Portugal.
None of Romania, Israel, Kosovo, Belarus and Andorra seems to be able to disturb the sleep of a selection, which has played tricks on far more emblazoned national teams in recent years. Switzerland’s backbone remained the same as at the World Cup: Embolo and his teammates had brilliantly overcome a very complicated group on paper, losing to Brazil but beating the insidious Serbia and Cameroon, only to collapse against the Portuguese. Yakin also won the trust of the federation thanks to his decent performances in the last Nations League, in which after a horror start he managed to straighten out the situation by winning the last three matches: successes that earned him permanence in League A.
The game is played on a neutral pitch
Switzerland’s first opponent – who have always managed to qualify in the last ten major events, with the exception of Euro 2012 – is Belarus.
Although its government has endorsed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, unlike Russia – excluded from all international competitions – the Belarusian federation can take part in UEFA events, but for several months now the selection has been unable to play its home matches on its own territory. The venue for the challenge against Switzerland will therefore be the stadium in the Serbian city of Novi Sad. Belarus’ last success in an official match dates back to March 2021, when they got the better of Estonia. Since then, the only victories have come in friendly matches: in November, Georgi Kondratyev’s national team prevailed over Syria, but after a few days they suffered an ugly defeat in Oman.
The Prediction
It is hard to assume any other result than victory for Switzerland, who should start off on the right foot in these qualifiers by winning by at least two goals. Yakin’s men are also likely to keep their goals unbroken.
Belarus-Switzerland matchday squad
- BIELORUSSIA (5-4-1): Plotnikov; Volkov, Polyakov, Yuzepchuk, Khadarkevich, Malkevich; Bocherov, Yablonsky, Ebong, Klimovich; Khvashchynski.
- SWITZERLAND (4-4-2): Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler, Zakaria, Sow; Okafor, Embolo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-3
