Switzerland vs Colombia lineups: Confirmed team news, predicted XIs and injury latest | OneFootball

Dark horses do battle to book place in last eight

Switzerland take on Colombia for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals tomorrow.

Murat Yakin’s side came through Algeria comfortably to reach the last 16 stage, while Colombia saw off Ghana.

Both sides don’t have many injury concerns. Silvan Widmer is the Swiss’ only one with a hip problem, while Colombia lost Jhon Cordoba is out for the remainder of the tournament after suffering a long-term muscle issue against Ghana.

For Switzerland, Yakin usually lines them up in a 4-2-3-1, and Gregor Kobel is their undoubted No1.

Denis Zakaria has been fielded as a makeshift right-back this summer and could continue there, with Ricardo Rodriguez, a Swiss stalwart, at left-back.

Nico Elvedi will partner Manuel Akanji in central defence.

In midfield, Remo Freuler, formerly of Nottingham Forest, partners Chelsea transfer target Granit Xhaka, who is currently the captain of Sunderland. He will also sport the armband here.

Ahead of them, Ruben Vargas is another familar face off the left, while Dan Ndoye should keep his place on the right.

Johan Manzambi could be handed a free role behind lone striker Breel Embolo.

For the Colombians, expect a 4-3-3 from Nestor Lorenzo.

Camilo Vargas has made himself the go-to shot-stopper at this tournament, and he is shielded by a back four of Daniel Munoz, the goalscoring Crystal Palace right-back, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi and Johan Mojica.

Jefferson Lerma anchors the midfield trio, flanked by Jhon Arias and Gustavo Puerta, while Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz is the one to watch off the left.

Luis Suarez is likely to lead the line in Cordoba’s absence, and James Rodriguez, the former Real Madrid and Everton playmaker, is handed a free role from the right, drifting infield onto his left foot.

Predicted Switzerland XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Ndoye, Manzabi, Vargas; Embolo

Doubt: Widmer

Predicted Colombia XI (4-3-3): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma, Arias; Rodriguez, Suarez, Diaz