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

Switzerland can move closer to qualifying for Euro 2024 when they play host to Belarus in Group I on Sunday evening.

While Belarus are almost out of contention for qualification, they make the trip to St Gallen on the back of a spirited draw with Romania last time out.

Match preview

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As a result of the horrific situation that is currently occurring in Israel, Switzerland's game in the country was postponed by UEFA, and it is unclear if or how Israel will complete their fixtures.

That is of minimal importance in the grand scheme of things, but for Switzerland, they will continue with their qualification campaign this weekend as they bid to earn another appearance at a major tournament.

Murat Yakin's side have not had it all their own way in Group I, drawing two of their six matches, yet they will go seven points clear of third place with victory on Sunday.

With Kosovo and Romania still to play, there is no room for complacency, although that is unlikely when their only victory in three outings came against minnows Andorra.

In the matches preceding that, 2-2 draws were posted versus Romania and Kosovo, but Switzerland have fond memories of facing Belarus having run out 5-0 winners in the reverse encounter back in March.

From Belarus' perspective, they will feel that there is something to play for given the uncertainty around Israel, with the gap to third spot currently six points.

This is a team that has failed to score in three successive matches, yet they have only conceded once in that time, a last-gasp goal in Israel.

On Thursday, Carlos Alos witnessed his team secure an impressive goalless draw with Romania, while the 2-1 victory over Kosovo in June - under different management - remains fresh in the memory.

However, Belarus are without a competitive away victory to their name since they defeated Kazakhstan in a UEFA Nations League fixture in September 2020.

Team News

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Yakin may be prepared to name a similar Switzerland starting lineup to the one that begun the game with Andorra.

However, goalkeeper Yann Sommer is expected to be drafted back into the side, replacing Yvon Mvogo, and Denis Zakaria is an option after playing in every qualifier before the fixture with the bottom-placed side.

Although Fabian Schar has been starring for Newcastle United, he faces another match among the substitutes, while Burnley's Zeki Amdouni should remain in attack having already scored five goals in this campaign.

Meanwhile, Belarus will likely have to make two changes in midfield after Maks Ebong and Vladislav Klimovich were both substituted with injuries during the latter stages versus Romania.

Valeriy Bocherov and Valeriy Gromyko appear most likely to take their places in the side in what will likely be the only two alterations.

Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Rodriguez, Elvedi, Akanji; Vargas, Xhaka, Freuler, Steffen; Shaqiri; Amdouni, Itten

Belarus possible starting lineup:
Ignatovich; Yuzepchuk, Politevich, Polyakov, Volkov, Pechenin; Bocherov, Gromyko, Korzun; Kontsevoy, Morozov

We say: Switzerland 2-0 Belarus

Belarus showed their capabilities in the defensive area of the pitch earlier this week to earn an impressive share of the spoils with Romania. Nevertheless, they are unlikely to have enough quality in their ranks to surprise Switzerland on away territory, with the expectation being that the hosts will cruise to a comfortable victory.


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