Switzerland vs. Algeria Match Preview | OneFootball

Notwithstanding Algeria’s checkered World Cup history with German-speaking nations (Disgrace of Gijón ring a bell?), Switzerland and Algeria have never met in a competitive match. They played friendly matches in 1984 and 1986, but that’s hardly relevant to this meeting.

But there is a curious variable in this fixture: rest time. Switzerland’s last match was eight days ago (June 24); Algeria has had five days rest since that barnstorming match against Austria. Will that play a factor? Can there be too much rest? Curiously, that three day difference is the largest between opponents in the Round of 32.

Switzerland’s Path to the Knockouts

Switzerland might not be flashy, but they have multiple attacking threats. Breel Embolo has a goal and two assists, contributing in each game he’s started. Rubén Vargas came off the bench to generate a goal and assist against Bosnia; he also scored against Canada. Johan Manzambi, one of our young players to watch, has lived up to that billing. He has 3g/1a in 127 minutes of open play.

Much like their opponents, they have built up momentum in all three games. Their opener against Qatar was undoubtedly their worst performance, capped by that unfortunate 94th minute own goal against the run of play. They labored against Bosnia, until a pair of late substitutes (Manzambi and Vargas) burst open the scoring floodgates. But their best all-round game saw them put away Canada on their home turf of Vancouver by a narrow 2-1 scoreline.

Algeria’s Path to the Knockouts

Algeria has a keeper crisis. Luca Zidane started the first two games, conceding four. Oussama Benbout was then given the nod against Austria, his second cap. He conceded three. Their third stringer, Melvin Mastil, grew up in Switzerland, plays in the Swiss league, and is unlikely to get the start for obvious reasons.

Those seven conceded goals puts Algeria as joint-worst among advancing teams, behind Sweden (who were dominated by France in a 3-0 loss yesterday) and Norway (who eked out a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast). Happily, with each match, their offense gained strength and momentum, but they will need to tighten up in the back if they want to move on.

Algeria has proven they can score myriad ways. Their first two goals came from corners. Rafik Belghali opened Algeria’s account against Austria with some brilliant solo footwork to leave a pair of defenders flummoxed before smashing it home. Riyad Mahrez then got a brace assisted by clinical through balls.

Switzerland Possible Starting XI

Manager Murat Yakin has many options to choose from. What a luxury. I suspect he’ll keep the hot attacking players on the pitch, while doing little to no tinkering with his back line.

G. KobelL. Jaquez, M. Akanji, N. Elvedi, R. Rodríguez;R. Freuler, G. Xhaka;R. Vargas, J. Manzambi, D. Ndoye;B. Embolo

Algeria Possible Starting XI

Vladimir Petković sits between a rock and a hard place for keeper selection. Outside of that position, expect him to keep to his usual crew.

L. Zidane / O. Benbout (dealer’s choice);R. Aït-Nouri, R. Bensebaini, A. Mandi, R. Belghali;N. Bentaleb, H. Aouar;R. Mahrez, I. Maza, F. Chaïbi;A. Gouiri

The Hooligan Take

With no history between them, and some inconsistent-but-getting-better play in the group stage for both sides, predictions on this one are challenging.

But in the end, Algeria’s Swiss-cheese defense (pun intended) will be their undoing.

Switzerland 3 – 1 Algeria