Switzerland vs France - Competition: FIFA World Cup, Group E
Switzerland experienced some difficulties to overcome a well organized
and hard working Ecuador team. They were a goal down to Ecuador at the
break but got themselves level early in the second half before a last
gasp winner gave them maximum points. After that win, Switzerland look
likely to make the last 16. Ecuador were their main challengers for
qualification, and since the Swiss have Honduras in their final game,
they should pick up enough points to progress.
No reported injuries or suspensions for Switzerland manager Ottmar
Hitzfeld to contend with, so we will probably see the same players that
started against Ecuador although there is a little possibility that both
Mehmedi and Seferovic, who started last match on the bench, will have
their chance at the starting lineup against France, replacing Drmic and
Stocker. Fabian Schar may have to settle for a place on the bench once
more after Johan Djourou and Steven Von Bergen put in impressive
performances at centre-back on Sunday.
France have started a
World Cup well and their confident 3-0 victory over Honduras will have
given them confidence going into this game. Benzema, who scored a brace,
now has eight goals in his last seven international matches, so is bang
in form.
Deschamps will play with his usual 4-3-3 approach with Griezmann and Valbuena acting as some sort of false wingers in support of Benzema as Olivier Giroud may have to settle for a starting spot on the bench once more. The absence of Franck Ribery hasn't been a problem so far
France team are unbeaten in their last five matches against Switzerland (W2 D3) and haven’t lost against the Swiss since a friendly back in 1992. The last three meetings have all ended in draws between these two, and it was a 0-0 in their last meeting, which was at the 2006 World Cup.
France have started a
World Cup well and their confident 3-0 victory over Honduras will have
given them confidence going into this game. Benzema, who scored a brace,
now has eight goals in his last seven international matches, so is bang
in form.Deschamps will play with his usual 4-3-3 approach with Griezmann and Valbuena acting as some sort of false wingers in support of Benzema as Olivier Giroud may have to settle for a starting spot on the bench once more. The absence of Franck Ribery hasn't been a problem so far
France team are unbeaten in their last five matches against Switzerland (W2 D3) and haven’t lost against the Swiss since a friendly back in 1992. The last three meetings have all ended in draws between these two, and it was a 0-0 in their last meeting, which was at the 2006 World Cup.
Probable lineups Switzerland: Benaglio – Lichtsteiner, Senderos, von Bergen, Rodriguez – Inler, Behrami – Shaqiri, G.Xhaka, Stocker – Drmic.
Probable lineups France: Lloris – Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra – Cabaye, Matuidi – Valbuena, Pogba, Griezmann – Benzema.
Probable lineups France: Lloris – Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra – Cabaye, Matuidi – Valbuena, Pogba, Griezmann – Benzema.
Match date: 20 June 2014
Kick Off Time: 20:00 BST
Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
Kick Off Time: 20:00 BST
Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil
