Our prediction for this match:
Switzerland
Match Time & Date:
08/06/2024
18:00
Prediction: 2-2
Austria
There will be fireworks when Switzerland and Austria, the two neighbouring countries, go head to head at Kybunpark on Saturday afternoon. The Rossocrociati recorded a routine 4-0 win over Estonia on Tuesday, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Marko Arnautovic and Co. MLS start Xherdan Shaqiri has overcome his injury as well as Augsburg midfielder Ruben Vargas, while Breel Embolo could play some part in Saturday’s clash.
Ralf Rangnick’s troops, on the other hand, continue life without long-term absentee David Alaba, while Marcel Sabitzer should play against Switzerland. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is pushing for a start after he was rested in a 2-1 win over Serbia, with Bayern Munich man Konrad Laimer eyeing a spot in the starting XI as well. Anyhow, a close encounter is on the cards in St. Gallen as the two national teams seem to be evenly matched.
Highlighted Player (Granit Xhaka):
Granit Xhaka is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented central midfielders at the moment and he is on the radar of quite a few high-profile sides. Just two seasons at FC Basel proved enough to attract interest from Borussia M’gladbach, who secured his signature in the summer of 2012.
The Switzerland international had a slow start to his career in Germany, causing many pundits to start doubting his credentials, but he eventually turn things around to show he is more than capable of playing at the highest level. Acting as a deep-lying playmaker, Xhaka impressed fans and pundits alike with his performances in Bundesliga and European competitions, and he even managed to score a couple of important goals in the process.
Despite his fragile age, the highly regarded footballer has been a key member of the Switzerland national team for quite some time now, scoring 6 goals in his first 40 caps to establish himself as a real leader of the Rossocrociati. The 2014 World Cup, where he scored one goal in four starts, should prove just the first of many major tournaments to come.
Highlighted Team (Austria):
Austria is one of Europe’s oldest national football teams and they enjoyed plenty of success during the 1930’s, earning the nickname Wunderteam in the process. Das Team achieved a fourth-place finish at the second World Cup in 1934, before finishing in third place at the 1954 finals. However, Austria have since participated at another five World Cup finals, never getting past the first knockout stage.
Das Team were even more disappointing in the European Championship qualifying campaigns, failing to qualify for 12 straight tournaments before appearing at the 2008 finals as co-hosts. However, Austria made it to the Euro 2016 in style, winning nine of ten qualifiers to suggest the team may be on the path to return to old glory days.
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Andreas Herzog is the team’s most capped footballer with 103 appearances, whereas Toni Polster is the most prolific striker with 44 goals in 95 outings. Matthias Sinderlar, Ernst Ocwirk, Herbert Prohaska and Hans Krankl are some of the most notable players to have represented Austria over the years.
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
Manchester United 
Everton
Tottenham
Fulham
Real Madrid 
Getafe
Liverpool
Man City 
Lecce 
Juventus 
