Prediction: Spain vs Switzerland

Verdict: Spain win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to mark their return from the summer break with a flurry on home soil, Spain will welcome Switzerland to Zaragoza on Saturday night.

Spain

Starting with the hosts, while Spain might have opened this year’s Nations League adventure with back-to-back stalemates against Portugal and the Czech Republic, La Roja are enjoying an extended purple patch. Last seen heading into the summer break with consecutive 1-0 and 2-0 victories against Switzerland and the Czechs, Luis Enrique’s men find themselves sat in pole position to book their spot in the knockout stage. Likewise, cruising their way to this year’s World Cup finals and looking to pick up some perfect momentum here, the one-time Barcelona boss finds his side enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run across all formats. On a run that is highlighted by a 5-0 romp at home against Iceland back in March, Spain have also continued to impress with their recent displays in front of their own supporters. Bagging 11 goals in just their last five showdowns on home soil, Enrique’s men are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here.

Team News

Bagging three goals from his opening six La Liga appearances this season, Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata should lead Spain’s charge on Saturday night.

Continuing to gain plenty of plaudits from across Europe, Barcelona starlets Gavi and Pedri should start at the heart of Enrique’s midfield here. Cementing his spot as La Roja’s number one, Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simón will start between the sticks in Zaragoza.

Switzerland

As for the visitors, entering the summer break with a shock 1-0 victory at home against Portugal, Switzerland will be desperate to prove that display was not just a minor boost. However, knowing that they face a stern test when they make the trip to Zaragoza on Saturday night, Murat Yakin’s men still find themselves sat rock-bottom of the League A table. Facing what appears to be an uphill struggle if they’re to keep hold of their top-tier status this year, the Reds have received plenty of critics over recent months. Mustering just a single win from any of their last six matchups across all formats, the one-time Basel boss will have a headache over his side’s rather glaring struggles on foreign soil. Last seen on the road getting hit with a 4-0 drumming against Portugal, it should be highlighted that Switzerland have lost each of their previous four away showdowns by an aggregate score of 8-2.

Team News

Making the move to Premier League giants Chelsea this summer, ex-Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria has been handed a recall to Yakin’s 25-man squad.

Enjoying what has been a standout start to the season with Arsenal, Granit Xhaka should captain Saturday’s guests in Zaragoza. Notching seven MLS strikes since making the move to Chicago Fire, former Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri looks likely to feature here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off on June 9th, Spain picked up a 1-0 victory on foreign soil.
• Likewise, the former world champions are unbeaten in each of their previous five meetings against Saturday’s guests.
• Spain are unbeaten in each of their last eight matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to October 10th.
• Switzerland have lost each of their previous three contests on foreign soil by an aggregate score of 8-2.
• Continuing on from the inaugural Nations League tournament in 2018, Switzerland have won just one of their eight away fixtures.

Conclusion

Heading into the summer break with a routine 2-0 victory at home against the Czech Republic, there is no doubt that Spain should be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Sat in pole position to book their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Nations League, the European giants are enjoying an extended purple patch. Unbeaten in each of their previous eight matchups across all formats, Enrique’s youngsters will be looking to cash in on a Switzerland side who have shown some extended problems on foreign soil. While this weekend’s guests might have been last seen picking up a shock 1-0 win at home against Portugal, it should be noted that Yakin’s men have lost each of their last three away showdowns by an aggregate score of 8-2.

Verdict: Spain win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Unibet