FC Zurich will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the current Swiss Super League season when they host Lausanne Sport at the Stadion Letzigrund on Sunday.
The hosts are one of only two teams in the league yet to taste defeat, while the visitors arrive on the back of two consecutive losses.
Match preview
![FC Zuerich Coach Ricardo Moniz in his side's match against Shelbourne in the Conference League - 25/07/2024 [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/ricardo-moniz.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "FC Zuerich Coach Ricardo Moniz in his side's match against Shelbourne in the Conference League - 25/07/2024 [on July 26, 2024]")
© Imago
FC Zurich suffered a 3-0 defeat to Vitoria SC in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third-round qualifier, leaving them on the brink of elimination from the competition.
However, it has been a different story for Ricardo Moniz's side in the league, where they have made an excellent start with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches.
FCZ secured 2-0 and 4-2 victories over Yverdon and Winterthur respectively, before salvaging a 2-2 draw against reigning champions Young Boys in their most recent league outing, leaving them third in the table, two points behind leaders Lugano.
Zurich will be aiming to build on this positive start as they seek their second league title since winning three titles between 2005 and 2009, but they must avoid dropping too many points to achieve this.
The home side have scored the second-highest number of goals in the league (eight), with only Servette managing more (nine) albeit having played one game extra, and this attacking prowess will be crucial once again against Lausanne.
However, Zurich are winless in their last five meetings with the visitors across all competitions – a run they will be eager to end as they strive for top spot.
Lausanne are in poor form heading into this clash, having lost their last two matches despite opening their campaign with a victory over Basel.
The Blue and White were thrashed 4-0 by Sion in their second league game, before suffering a 4-3 defeat to St Gallen, despite mounting a spirited comeback from three goals down.
These results have left the team ninth in the table with three points, and they will be hoping to get back on track by ending their losing streak on Sunday.
Lausanne enjoyed a positive first season back in the Swiss top flight during the regular campaign after gaining promotion, finishing in eighth place, and they will be aiming for an improved performance this term.
Ludovic Magnin's side have picked up points on their last two visits to Zurich, and the manager will be hoping for a repeat performance against the in-form hosts.
Team News
© Reuters
Zurich will be missing Rodrigo Conceicao as the midfielder continues his recovery from a muscle injury that he sustained in May.
Nemanja Tosic is also sidelined with a muscle injury that is expected to keep him out for a few weeks, while Mirlind Kryeziu is suspended after picking up a late red card in their last match.
The visitors will remain without midfielder Trae Coyle, who is out of the season with a cruciate ligament tear.
Fousseni Diabate has scored two of the six goals from Lausanne this season and the team's leading scorer will be looking to increase this tally.
FC Zurich possible starting lineup:
Brecher; Gomez, Katic, Kamberi, Wallner; Marchesano, Mathew, Krasniqi; Conde, Perea, Emmanuel
Lausanne Sport possible starting lineup:
Letica; Abdallah, Mouanga, Dussenne, Poaty; Sanches, Custodio, Bernede; Okou, Sene, Diabate
We say: FC Zurich 2-1 Lausanne Sport
Zurich are in good form going into this game, and we expect them to have too much quality for Lausanne to handle, and that is why we are predicting a home win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
