Match Previews

The Swiss started off with an excellent draw against Brazil. A point from the upcoming game would put them in the driving seat to progress. Valon Behrami is expected to make it..

Switzerland got off to a superb start to their World Cup campaign, as they held Brazil to a 1:1 draw. It was a game in which Vladimir Petkovic's men had to survive a number of scares, but Steven Zuber's headed goal, which the Brazilians thought should have been ruled out, was enough to give them a point.

A defeat to Serbia would leave the Swiss on the brink of elimination from the World Cup but, given that they play Costa Rica in the final game while Serbia play Brazil, a point would suffice for them to hold their destiny in their own hands going into the upcoming match.

The only real negative regarding the Brazil game was that Valon Behrami had to come off with an injury. However, the midfielder is in moderate training and is expected to be available for selection.

Apart from Behrami, Petkovic has no new selection concerns going into his side's upcoming match.

The media build-up for the upcoming game has been dominated by pointing out the fact that several Swiss players have Kosovan roots. Xherdan Shaquiri, Grant Xhaka, Valon Behrami and Blerim Dzemaili are among the players in question and it remains to be seen if the hostile relations between Serbia and Kosovo will give them additional motivation for the upcoming match. All of the players in question have confirmed that they will play in shoes with Kosovo flags printed on them.

The Swiss have lost only two of their last nineteen competitive games. These defeats have come against Poland on penalties in the previous Euro and away at Portugal in the qualifiers for this World Cup.