UEFA Nations League: Dominant Spain Host the Subdued Swiss

Spain vs Switzerland

UEFA Nations League favourites Spain complete their group campaign on Monday when they host Switzerland at the Estadio Heliodoro in Tenerife.

Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja have had an incredible 2024 and, as reigning Nations League champions, they look like the team everybody needs to match, beating Denmark on Friday night. Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin needs to lift his men one more time in the knowledge they are already relegated, anchored at the bottom to Group A4 after drawing their last game against Serbia. 

Elsewhere in Group A4, Denmark can join Spain in the knockouts if the avoid defeat to Serbia on Monday, but La Roja’s intention is to win the group by a clear six points or more.    

 

Talking Points

Spain’s squad depth is frightening  

The theory that Spain are entering a new era of European domination is gaining traction after such an impressive Euro 2024 campaign; and La Roja could well leave the likes of France, Germany and England in their wake if their young squad continues to improve.    

With a number of key players absent La Roja’s Friday night clash with Denmark was a chance for some of the fringe players to make an impact and they certainly did, with Villarreal striker Ayoze Perez scoring his second goal in four internationals and making an assist, and Arsenal keeper David Raya staking his claim for the Number One spot. Euro 2024 heroes Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal were on show, the Real Sociedad man scoring the opener against the Danes, while Alvaro Morata and the fit again Pedri and Nico Williams all climbed off the bench midway through the second half. 

Then take a look at the players missing from Spain’s November squad. Ballon D’Or winner Rodri is out for the season while Barca’s wonderkids Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez are taking a break, along with defenders Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand and Pau Torres.

Can anyone stop the Red wave?    

 

Amdouni gives Switzerland hope for the future

Well I doubt La Roja’s next opponents will be the team to rock the boat. After an impressive Euro campaign Switzerland’s UEFA Nations League 2024 results have been a let-down for their fans as they have mustered just two points from the first five games, draws with Serbia and Denmark. This is a team with plenty of quality, led by Bayer Leverkusen midfield ace Granit Xhaka, Borussia Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel between the sticks and Bologna’s Remo Freuler alongside Xhaka in the middle.

Up front Monaco’s Breel Embolo has been the striking star for a number of years but it is the 23 year old Zeki Amdouni, currently on loan at Benfica from Burnley, who has the best goals to games ratio. He scored his ninth goal in 23 appearances for Switzerland in the draw with Serbia and he has plenty of improvement to come. The Swiss would still be in with a chance of survival had Aleksa Terzic not scored a late leveller for the Serbs.

Amdouni put in another strong performance and his 78^th minute goal made him Switzerland’s top scorer in this campaign with three strikes in five games. Nicknamed the Swiss Messi, Amdouni struggled at Burnley in the Premier League but, as many overseas players discover, the pace of the English top flight often takes a season to get used to and the forward showed plenty of glimpses of his ability but without consistency.

With experience and age that consistency will come and, if and when Amdouni starts to justify his comparison with the great Messi, things could become exciting for the Switzerland fans.      

 

History

Spain are the reigning champions and the UEFA Nations League 2024 betting odds say La Roja is the team to beat again in 2025, while the Swiss were semi-finalists in 2019 and they did reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, before losing on penalties to England.  

With just one win from the last ten games Switzerland have been on a sticky run since June while Spain have been imperious in 2024, winning nine of their last ten games, drawing only their UEFA Nations League opener against Serbia.

And there is no comfort for the Swiss from their last meeting with Spain who handed out a 4-1 thrashing in Geneva, even after Le Normand had been red carded with just 20 minutes on the clock.

 

Betting Tip

At SBOTOP odds of 1.42 La Roja are red hot favourites to win this game and I see no reason to doubt De la Fuente’s boys. The draw is 3.97 while Switzerland can be backed at 5.80 to finish their campaign with an unlikely victory.

In terms of a correct score-line a 1-0 home win is the most likely outcome at a price of 6.18, while a 2-0 Spain victory is priced at 6.47…and that’s where I’m leaning.  

   

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