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Switzerland national football team
Friendlies 1
Sep 1, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
 
Greece national football team

Switzerland
2 - 1
Greece

Zuber (7'), Vargas (51')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Pavlidis (34')
Mantalos (69'), Koutris (80')

Preview: Switzerland vs. Greece - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's International Friendlies clash between Switzerland and Greece, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

International football returns this week and, after an impressive effort during Euro 2020, Switzerland will be looking to continue their recent form as they host Greece.

This game will have slightly less on the line than Switzerland's most recent outing against Spain, with this being a friendly between the two nations, but they will have to work hard to end Greece's 14-game unbeaten streak.


Match preview

Switzerland's Mario Gavranovic celebrates scoring their third goal with Ruben Vargas on June 28, 2021© Reuters

Switzerland were one of the surprises of the summer throughout Euro 2020, where their incredible performances wowed football fans as they reached the quarter-final stage.

While they were eventually knocked out by Spain via penalties, the A-Team proved to be very resilient and well organised which is what helped them to perform so well.

Despite a heavy 3-0 loss against Italy in the group stage, Vladimir Petkovic's squad responded brilliantly, with a dominant 3-1 victory against Turkey helping them to progress.

Of course, it was the game against France that truly brought the attention to Switzerland, with the A-Team knocking out one of the tournament favourites on penalties after a six-goal thriller.

After reaching the quarter-final stage of the Euros for the first time ever, the squad will be aiming to kick on and, with two World Cup qualifiers coming up, Switzerland will be hoping to prepare perfectly against Greece.

With new manager Murat Yakin now in charge, he will be hoping to continue the success of the nation and kickstart his own personal time as manager with a victory.

Switzerland players celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out on June 28, 2021© Reuters

The two teams have not competed against each other since 2018 when they had an international friendly, and it was Switzerland who came out on top that day, with a goal from Blerim Dzemaili securing the 1-0 win.

Greece will also be using this fixture to prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with games against Kosovo and Sweden coming up during this international break.

After failing to qualify for Euro 2020 and the 2018 World Cup, John van't Schip is certainly under pressure to take the nation back to greater heights and recent results have been more positive.

Greece have drawn their opening World Cup qualifiers with two 1-1 results against Georgia and Spain, which will give the team plenty of confidence heading into this game.

Italy are the last team to actually beat Van't Schip's men back in 2019, with Greece heading into this fixture unbeaten in 14 matches, setting up this friendly perfectly between two in-form teams.

Switzerland form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L

Greece form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W



Team News

Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring their third goal against Turkey at Euro 2020 on June 20, 2021© Reuters

Switzerland will once again be calling on their Euro 2020 heroes to try to pick up a positive result in this game, with the experience of Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri likely playing a big factor.

Yakin named 23 players from the summer tournament in his first squad, while there was a first-time opportunity for Cedric Zesiger to make the squad as he looks for his international debut.

Renato Steffen missed Euro 2020 due to an ankle problem, but he has been recalled, while Andi Zeqiri and Michel Aebischer have also been given opportunities by the new boss.

Georgios Giakoumakis was a surprise name left out of the Greece squad for this international break as he continues to await a transfer and Dimitrios Pelkas has also been left out of the squad due to a shoulder injury.

However, while those two players have missed out, there was an opportunity for Giannis Papanikolaou to earn his first selection, with the winger having impressed in recent games.

Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Widmer, Zesiger, Akanji, Rodriguez; Zakaria, Xhaka, Zuber, Embolo, Shaqiri; Seferovic

Greece possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Androutsos, Papadopoulos, Mavropanos, Travellas, Tsimikas; Mantalos, Galanopoulos, Bouchalakis; Masouras, Tzolis


SM words green background

We say: Switzerland 1-1 Greece

This should be a fantastic international friendly between two teams brimming with confidence and belief, both of which will be aiming to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers with a great result.

With Greece having built up such an impressive undefeated streak and proving to be very strong defensively, they will likely frustrate some of Switzerland's more attack-minded players, which could see the two nations battle out a draw.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



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Game History

How you voted: Switzerland vs Greece

Switzerland
66.7%
Draw
19.3%
Greece
14.0%
57
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