Switzerland vs Cameroon – World Cup: Team News, Lineups & Predictions
Switzerland and Cameroon start in Group G of the European Championship World Championship when they meet at the kick-off in Al Wakrah on Thursday.
The two sides alongside Serbia are the outsiders of the group, with Brazil likely to qualify as group winners for the knockout rounds. The Swiss qualified automatically via UEFA qualification but have had problems at World Cups in the past.
Their opponent is Cameroon, who qualified on away goals after a two-leg encounter with Algeria after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
Here is 90 minsGame preview.
Switzerland vs Cameroon H2H results (all times)
Switzerland and Cameroon have never met in international men’s football.
Current form (last five games)
Cameroon: LWLD
Switzerland: LWWWL
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Team News Switzerland
Yann Sommer may not be at his best in this tournament having only just recovered from an injury he picked up in October. The Borussia Mönchengladbach star also played in the 2-0 defeat against Ghana on Thursday, along with Fabian Schar, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Switzerland grid position 11 (4-2-3-1): Summer; Widmer, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Sau, Vargas; Embolo.
Bank: Kobel, Kohn, Comert, Elvedi, Fernandes, Frei, Jashari, Rieder, Steffen, Zakaria, Aebischer, Fassnacht, Okafor, Seferovic.
Cameroon team news
Napoli star Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa takes a hit in the tournament but as one of Cameroon’s star players he can be risked even if he’s not 100% sharp.
Cameroon Starting XI 11 (4-3-3): Onana; Ebosse, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Fai; Ntcham, Zambo Anguissa, Gouet; Mbeumo, Choupo-Moting, Ekambi.
Bank: Ngapandouetnbu, Mbekali, Wooh, Mbazo, Tolo, Ondoua, Nkoudou, Kunde, Hongla, Marou, Ngamaleu, Nsame, Aboubakar, Bassogog.
Switzerland enjoyed a wonderful 2021, reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 before being eliminated on penalties by Spain and finishing ahead of Italy in their World Cup qualifying group to automatically reach Qatar and avoid the play-offs.
They are favorites against a Cameroon side who have interesting attacking qualities – striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has found form at the perfect time and is provided with chances by the industrious Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and the electric Bryan Mbeumo.
There are some interesting encounters – particularly in midfield – but Switzerland’s more established side and know-how could give them a winning start in Group G.
Prediction: Switzerland 2-1 Cameroon