Kick-off: 1000, 24/11/2022
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
TV: ITV
Switzerland have made it through the group stage at the last two World Cup tournaments and look a percentage pick to see off Cameroon in Qatar.
The Indomitable Lions did not qualify four years ago and have suffered five consecutive early exits since famously reaching the quarter-finals in 1990.
Having lost all three games in 2010 and 2014, we’re taking 18/25 for the African outfit to taste defeat again in our first Switzerland vs Cameroon prediction.
Switzerland Odds
Switzerland will go into this pool with a feeling of deja vu, having also faced the reopposing Brazil and Serbia at Russia 2018.
They picked up a draw and a win against those rivals respectively before sharing the spoils with Costa Rica to progress.
Going down 1-0 to Sweden in the round of 16 was a disappointment but the Rossocrociati went one step further during a solid Euro 2020 campaign.
In that tournament, they upset France in a penalty shoot-out before only losing out to Spain on spot-kicks in the quarter-finals.
Murat Yakin’s side were second favourites in a Qatar 2022 qualifying section featuring Italy but upset the odds by finishing two points above the Azzurri.
After a shaky start to this year’s fixture list, Switzerland finished off their Nations League campaign with a hat-trick of wins over Portugal, Spain and Czech Republic.
Former Liverpool buy Xherdan Shaqiri remains the chief playmaker, while Haris Seferovic and Breel Embolo are proven performers up front.
However, the Swiss base much of their success on being solid at the back, with keeper Yann Sommer and defenders like 100-times capped Ricardo Rodriguez and Newcastle’s Fabian Schar boasting great experience.
Manchester City new boy Manuel Akanji also looks a real find after impressing for club and country.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka also helps to protect the rearguard and 29/20 for a win to nil stands out from the Switzerland vs Cameroon odds.
Cameroon Odds
Cameroon were the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup, with Roger Milla and Co winning over lots of new admirers before losing to England in extra time.
However, despite the best efforts of Samuel Eto’o, the Indomitable Lions have only won one of 15 subsequent matches at final tournaments.
They have fared better at the Africa Cup of Nations, lifting that trophy in 2017 and finishing third this year.
Rigobert Song’s current side had to show plenty of spirit on the road to Qatar, beating Ivory Coast in their final group-stage game to leapfrog Les Elephants.
Algeria were then edged out via the away goals rule in the play-offs after Cameroon prevailed 2-1 following extra time in the away leg.
In terms of quality, though, they may just be found wanting at this level, especially with regards strength in depth.
Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and former Porto forward Vincent Aboubakar are decent front men while ex-Fulham recruit Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is a useful holding midfielder.
However, the supporting cast lacks elite-level experience and former Liverpool defender Song will probably try to pack his defence.
That could lead to a cagey contest here but the Swiss are taken to shade it 1-0 at 9/2 in our Switzerland vs Cameroon betting tips.
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