Serbia – Switzerland | 02/12/2022 WORLD CUP

Serbia face Switzerland at Stadium 974 in their final Group G game on Friday, with the Eagles knowing that they need to win to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stages. A point is likely to be enough for second-placed Nati, as long as Cameroon fail to beat Brazil in the other remaining game in the group.

Expectations were high for Serbia at the FIFA World Cup after they produced a stellar qualifying campaign that saw them finish above Portugal. The Eagles have failed to live up to their dark horse billing thus far though, losing to Brazil and being held by Cameroon in a thrilling draw, meaning they’re now in ‘must-win’ territory in this Group G finale. Manager Dragan Stojković was furious that his side let a two-goal lead slip in that 3-3 blockbuster with Cameroon, branding his side’s defending ‘incomprehensible’ and claiming the same should be ‘forbidden at this level’.

Those errors will need to be corrected here if Serbia are to reach the knockout stages for the first time, and coincidentally a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland cost them that goal at Russia in 2018. That loss was the start of an alarming trend that has seen the Eagles concede at least twice in each of their last four World Cup games while failing to secure victory in any (D1, L3).

Merely avoiding defeat is likely to be enough to secure Switzerland’s progression to the last 16, with qualification rivals Cameroon facing five-time Champions Brazil in the group’s other fixture. Switzerland, under the guidance of coach Murat Yakin since 2021, are looking to make it three straight appearances in the knockout stages at the World Cup for the first time in their history, and Yakin’s team are well placed to do so.

Switzerland showed they’re a tough nut to crack in holding Brazil for over 80 minutes before Casemiro’s strike eventually consigned them to defeat. A second consecutive loss would see their tournament come to an end, but they’ve not been beaten in consecutive World Cup games since 1994, so the omens look good for the Red Crosses.

Date: 02/12/2022
Time: 22:00
Venue: Stadium 974 (Doha)
Pick for this match:
“2” – @ 2.43 ( BETWAY )

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Samuel

I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos.

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Samuel

I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos.