Switzerland and Belgium meet in decisive Group 2 fixture
Marco Iacobucci EPP / Shutterstock.com
Switzerland host Belgium on Sunday in what will determine the winner of League A Group 2. Belgium are a perfect nine points from nine having beaten Iceland twice and Switzerland once already.
The Swiss go into the match needing a win to advance to the Nations League playoffs next summer. Anything less will see them finish second in the group. Switzerland defeated Iceland twice, while losing to Belgium in their previous meeting, 2-1. The good news for Swiss manager Vladimir Petkovic is the two nations are on a goal difference of +6. Switzerland can finish level on points with Belgium, but still go through thanks to a better goal difference.
Belgium defeated Iceland on Thursday night, 2-0. Michy Batshuayi scored twice as Iceland sank to a fourth defeat from four games. Iceland have been relegated to League B, therefore, neither Belgium nor Switzerland can finish lower than second.
The two nations have twice met since 2016. Belgium have won both meetings by 2-1 scorelines. Manager Roberto Martinez has carried over Belgium's great form from the World Cup. Belgium are ranked third in the world as they continue to build on their third-place finish in Russia.
Switzerland are not the same powerhouse that Belgium are. The Swiss don’t have the game winners in their starting XI. While Belgium have a list of ‘who’s who’ players in their starting XI and on the bench, Switzerland can only call on a few players playing at Europe’s top clubs. Belgium have dominated the last eight meetings with Switzerland losing just once. Sunday’s game will be played in Lucerne and the home support will be in good voice cheering Switzerland on to Nations League playoff qualification.
Since the World Cup, Switzerland have lost three of five matches. Most recently, they were embarrassed by Qatar, 1-0, in a friendly. It was a damning result as Qatar are one of the lesser sides in all of world football. Petkovic may have played a side lacking experience, but Switzerland should have come away with a win. That friendly loss will be weighing on Petkovic’s mind against Belgium. The Swiss haven’t been great post-World Cup and continue to blow hot and cold. Belgium are the opposite and are perhaps the strongest they have ever been.
Martinez has a host of players in-form. Eden Hazard, Batshuayi, and Axel Witsel are all playing well and will help the Belgians into the playoff round of the inaugural Nations League.
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