- Qatar have won just two of their last ten in all competitions (D3, L5).
- Switzerland have lost just one of their last ten in all competitions (W5, D4).
Switzerland have strong credentials for the last 16
Switzerland enter Saturday's Group B contest as favourites to get a result against a Qatar side. Murat Yakin has made the Swiss side tough to beat since taking over as head coach in 2021 by giving his team a fluid formation, an ability to play disciplined possession-based soccer when needed and the ability to change the game tempo with his players' ability to counter with pace and precision.
Granit Xhaka is the axis on which all the Swiss play revolves with his range of passing, tempo of play and ability to control the flow of the game. Noah Okafor gives Switzerland pace and directness in the forward line, while Dan Ndoye is his side's most prolific attacking player in recent games, scoring three of Switzerland's nine goals in their last five.
Our Qatar vs Switzerland prediction is influenced by Switzerland's recent form, which is hard to argue with, and it is a little difficult to understand why they are only considered as big favorites in the 1.23 region for this match. They have lost just once in their last 10 and five of those games have ended in a win, including a 4-1 victory over Jordan in a recent home game. They drew 1-1 away to Australia in March and have been tough to get at on the road for some time, avoiding defeat in each of their last five travels in all competitions (W1, D4).
Lopetegui has given Qatar structure, but they leak goals
Julien Lopetegui's Qatar side are a work in progress after the Spaniard introduced a European approach and structure to the team. They are still a little too susceptible to a good, structured defensive line and have struggled for results in recent times, managing only 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats in their last 10. The Qatar vs Switzerland preview highlights that they could only draw 0-0 at home to El Salvador three days ago.
Qatar play a 4-2-3-1 formation that is interchangeable with 4-3-3 depending on the opposition and the state of the match. They build up play patiently and press in blocks, but are also capable of overloading the wings and playing at a high tempo on the transition. Assim Madibo brings energy and ball-winning qualities to the midfield and can help the team transition in a positive way, while Akram Afif brings a bit of magic to the side and can unlock the defense with a piece of skill or a good pass.
Almoez Ali remains Qatar's greatest scoring threat, but Afif and a number of other players can score. Qatar will come to play for this fixture and Switzerland's odds are very short, but there is enough evidence to suggest that the Asians can get forward and make it an entertaining game. A Qatar goal and a couple of chances will certainly come their way against the Switz, but they have conceded an average of 1.43 goals per game on home soil so it is hard to see them scoring enough to earn a result, according to this Qatar vs Switzerland prediction.
Swan Song for Qatar
We can't see a way that Switzerland don't win this game, but Qatar will do their best to make it a game and Switzerland aren't the type of team to sit back and cling to a one-goal lead. The Qatar vs Switzerland prediction once again points us towards goals, with over 2.5 goals in the 1.69 area, as we feel this game could go against the grain.
For punters looking for an edge, the best Qatar vs Switzerland betting tips suggest that Switzerland’s attacking firepower combined with Qatar’s vulnerabilities at the back could lead to an open contest.
