Qatar v Switzerland Prediction: 4/5 Embolo can spearhead Swiss success

Switzerland have been nothing if not consistent in their recent World Cup bids, making a last-16 exit in four of the last five tournaments, and they have a great chance of topping Group B this time around.

They kick off their campaign with what should be a comfortable success against 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, who suffered three defeats in a tough section four years ago.

The teams have met only once before, with Qatar winning 1-0 in a friendly in 2018 and their goalscorer from that match, Akram Afif, is expected to be in their line-up for this match at the home of NFL team the San Francisco 49ers.

Qatar v Switzerland Tips Summary

Best Bet - Switzerland/Switzerland - Half-Time/Full Time @ 4/6
Alternative Bet - Breel Embolo anytime goalscorer @ 4/5
Bet Builder - Switzerland to win by 2+ goals, Johan Manzambi 1+ fouls committed, Almoez Ali 2+ shots & Edmilson Junior 1+ shots @ 7/1

Qatar v Switzerland Prediction

Best Bet: Switzerland/Switzerland - Half-Time/Full-Time @ 4/6

Switzerland impressed at Euro 2024 and were seconds away from winning their group only to be denied by a late equaliser by Germany. 

They beat Italy 2-0 in the round of 16 before taking England to a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals and they look strong contenders to win Group B against Bosnia & Herzegovina, co-hosts Canada and Qatar at this World Cup.

The Swiss opened that tournament with a 3-1 win over Hungary, taking the lead after just 12 minutes and they scored first-half goals in four of their five games two years ago.

As Murat Yakin's team are short-priced favourites to open with a victory over Qatar, it therefore makes sense to improve the odds by backing them to be leading at half-time and go on to win the match.

Switzerland's only defeat since 2024 was a 4-3 friendly loss to Germany in which they took the lead twice and they won four and drew two of their six games in qualifying, conceding just two goals while scoring 14.

A recent 4-1 friendly win over Jordan was a perfect warm-up for their opening fixture and as an experienced and solid all-round team it would be disappointing if they can't get three points on the board in their first match.

Qatar came through against the UAE and Oman in their final qualifying group but their, best chance of points this time around will likely come in their other fixtures.

Alternative Bet: Breel Embolo anytime goalscorer @ 4/5

Switzerland's Breel Embolo scored twice at Euro 2024 and at the 2022 World Cup and the experienced forward looks a worthy favourite in the anytime goalscorer market.

The Rennes striker has scored 24 goals in his 86 international appearances and finished the Ligue 1 season in solid form with two goals in his final seven outings.

He got the ball rolling in the recent friendly win over Jordan by dispatching a first-half penalty and has scored against Germany and Paris Saint-Germain this season.

He should have the quality to make his mark against a Qatar team who have won only one of their last 12 matches.

Qatar v Switzerland Bet Builder Tip

• Switzerland to win by 2+ goals

• Johan Manzambi 1+ fouls committed

• Almoez Ali 2+ shots

• Edmilson Junior 1+ shots
  

  Pays 7/1

Start a four-leg bet builder on the World Cup Group B match by taking Switzerland to win by at least two goals.

The gap in quality and form of the teams should be noticeable and Switzerland scored at least two goals in all three of their World Cup 2022 group games.

Qatar will likely go down fighting even if they don't get on the scoresheet.

Add their top scorer Almoez Ali to have at least two shots after he scored 12 times in 14 qualifying matches and also Edmilson Junior to have one effort after he had 11 shots in only nine qualifying appearances.

Complete the bet by taking Switzerland's Johan Manzambi to commit at least one foul. The talented youngster was sent off twice in 27 Bundesliga matches for Freiburg last season.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Key Match Stats

• Switzerland have lost only one of their last 14 matches

• Qatar have lost four of their last six games

• Qatar have failed to score in four of their last five matches

• Switzerland have scored in the first half of three of their last four fixtures

• Breel Embolo was Switzerland's top scorer in qualifying with four goals in six games

• Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui has won only two of his 13 matches in charge of the team

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.