Preview Serbia vs Switzerland: World Cup Group G, Round 3 2022

Crunch time in Group G as both teams battle to join Brazil in the round of 16.

Preview Serbia vs Switzerland: World Cup Group G, Round 3 2022
AL WAKRAH, QATAR - NOVEMBER 28: Players of Serbia line up prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Cameroon and Serbia at Al Janoub Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Wu Zhizhao/VCG via Getty Images)
chris0brien
By Christopher O’Brien

This group has been very interesting with it being an almost identical match to the group in 2018 where Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland were all drew together. 

Costa Rica were the other team involved in Russia, Switzerland and Brazil made it out that year with Serbia losing to both and looking set to repeat the feat this year as they sit bottom of the group currently.

An opening day loss to Brazil was to be expected, however it was round two that provided the shocks as they threw away their lead and had to settle for a 3-3 draw with Cameroon.

For the Swiss, they managed to narrowly overcome their African opponents in their first game with a 1-0 victory. Their second fixture saw them meet Brazil with Neymar missing, they looked set to get a draw from that game, but a late strike from Casemiro saw them come undone and ultimately lose 1-0.

If Brazil beat Cameroon, then anyone who is able to win this game will join Brazil in the next round, however Cameroon could throw a spanner in the works if they pulled off a shock win and these two teams were to draw.

Team News

There are no injury concerns or suspensions for either side currently, Alexander Mitrovic is back to full fitness and scored against Cameroon. The Serbian team will be hoping he can start firing on all cylinders like he is known for to fire their country into the next round of the World Cup. 

Captain Dušan Tadić is most likely to feature on the right hand side of the pitch while Serge Milinkovic-Savic will run the midfield for them, another man who can turn the tide of this game if he replicates his club form so far this season.

A full strength side can be expected from them, with everything to gain and nothing to lose, they have no choice but to come out and attack their opponents straight from the off.

For Switzerland, they will be aware of this and with them only needing to avoid defeat, the same cautious approach we saw adopted against Brazil last time around.

Noah Okafor is the only concern for Switzerland with a muscle issue, although he has not been a guaranteed starter this tournament, playing less than 20 minutes in the opener against Cameroon.

With the cautious approach, this would see Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler sitting just in front of the back four. There is still the possibility of elimination though if Cameroon were to win, so they will be looking to play out on the counter attack with this style and hope Breel Embolo can seal it for them.

Players to Watch

Alexander Mitrovic has been in the form of his life this season, proving many who said he was not ready for the Premier League wrong. 

He came into this tournament with a knock, a huge blow for his nation, but he is now back to full fitness and got himself on the score sheet last time out so has found his eye for goal.

Mitrovic is Serbia's all time top scorer and has found his eye for goal once again scoring nine in 12 for Fulham so far this season. Being hailed as a national icon already by many, goals in this one would elevate his status should they progress in the competition.

Switzerland have also recently been boosted by the return of a player in Xerdan Shaqiri. The 31 year old former Liverpool winger is now plying his trade in the MLS with Chicago Fire, where he has seven goals and six assists for the club.

He also has an assist to his name this tournament, the only goal Switzerland have scored so far this tournament, and they will certainly need goals to progress further.

Expected Lineups

 Serbia:

Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Maksimovic, Lukic, Kostic; Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic, Mitrovic

Switzerland:

Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas; Embolo

Match Details

Where is the game being played?

The final clash between the two sides will take place in Stadium 974.

When is the game being played?

This fixture kicks off on Friday December 2nd at 7PM UK time.

How can I watch the game?

With both group games being played at the same time, this game will be shown on ITV4.