Friday’s World Cup action concludes in Group E with arguably the biggest match in the group when Serbia take on Switzerland in Kaliningrad. Brazil are still expected to dominate the group so the winner of this will be in pole position to finish in behind them.
Serbia go into the match in the better spot having won their opening match but Switzerland might have taken one against the head so to speak when they nailed a draw against Brazil so both sides have it all to play for here.
Serbia
Given that their opening match was must win if they had any ambitions of getting out of this group, Serbia impressed me in their first match. In those circumstances it is easy for a team, who while quietly confident couldn’t be considered as a favourite to qualify, to be unsure of whether to stick or twist, but I thought tactically they were spot on and they got their reward.
In the end, with a little bit more composure or the bounce of the ball in the right direction, Serbia may well have run up a bigger score against Costa Rica. They could yet regret not doing so of course so they will be keen to win this match to guarantee their qualification long before they run into Brazil in their final match.
Switzerland
I’m not really sure what I made of Switzerland in that opening match against Brazil in truth. Clearly we should state that full credit must go to them for holding a Brazil side that probably looked the best of the big favourites even though their equaliser was a shade on the fortunate side. I think they will need to show more ambition in order to progress though.
Hopefully from their point of view that will come naturally now that they have their hardest match of the group, on paper at least, out of the way. It will be interesting to see if they set up to offer more in attack in this one or if they will be content to draw and take their chances of Brazil beating Serbia in the final game meaning a Switzerland win over Costa Rica will see them progress.
Team News
Serbia did have a doubt over Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic after he picked up a knock in the win over Costa Rica but there is a chance he could be available. That could see Serbia unchanged for this one.
Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami sustained an injury against Brazil which makes him a doubt for this one although I’m sure the Swiss will want him to play. All eyes will be on the team sheet to see if Haris Seferovic leads the line again.
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Betting
There is a bit of a historical context to this match which should ensure the competitive edge to it remains throughout but in terms of picking a winner, or even a solid punt, it is one of the harder games of the tournament to bet in. Thankfully I’m already on Serbia to win the game courtesy of backing them to qualify so I’ve no need to go in again but I will keep an interest with a couple of anytime scorer punts.
I’m interested in the battle down Serbia’s right hand side here where Dusan Tadic has the potential to be the difference maker against a Ricardo Rodriguez who is much better going forward than he is defending. Switching that around and Tadic isn’t going to chase Rodriguez back too far so both men should form much of the attacking play for their side. Throw in that both are on penalties and should see some set piece action and they are worth siding with to score anytime. One scores we make a few quid. If both do the weekend is set up nicely.
Tips
Back D.Tadic to score anytime for a 1/10 stake at 5.00 with Unibet
Back him here:
Back R.Rodriguez to score anytime for a 1/10 stake at 8.50 with 888sport
Back him here:
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