Prediction: Switzerland vs Belarus

Verdict: Cedric Itten to score anytime

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to take a giant step towards EURO 24 qualification, Switzerland will welcome Belarus to St. Gallen on Sunday evening.

Switzerland

Starting with the hosts, marking their return to qualifying duties in midweek with a thumping performance on home soil, Switzerland find themselves cruising towards next year’s European Championships. Eventually breezing their way to a routine 3-0 win against Andorra and largely not having to get out of third gear, the Reds will certainly be smelling another golden chance here. Opening up Sunday’s showdown in St. Gallen holding a commanding three-point buffer from slipping out of the qualification spots, it is no secret that Murat Yakin’s side are tipped as a landslide contender to wrap up top spot in Group I. Unbeaten in each of their six qualifying showdowns this year and continuing to gain a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, the one-time Basel boss will be calling on his squad to lay down another marker on Sunday evening.

Team News

Now finding the net in back-to-back EURO 24 qualifying appearances and notching three goals in as many contests for club and country, Young Boys striker Cedric Itten will once again spearhead Switzerland’s charge here. Also getting on the scoresheet against Andorra in midweek, ex-Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri will partner Itten in the final third.

Continuing to shine with Manchester City this season, Manuel Akanji will be partnered at the back by former AC Milan defender Ricardo Rodriguez.

Belarus

As for the visitors, while Belarus might have put in a largely gritty performance earlier in the week as they snatched a 0-0 stalemate against Romania, the White Wings have struggled to find any kind of stability throughout their qualifying adventure. Putting just five points on the board from a possible 21, Carlos Alos’ side have also recorded just a single win from any of their previous eight appearances across all formats – a run that stems back over the past 11 months. Facing what is a monumental challenge when they arrive at St. Gallen this weekend, Belarus should also be worried by a nightmare record against Sunday’s hosts. In fact, along with slumping to a routine 5-0 drumming when they met Switzerland at the Novi Sad back on March 25th, Alos’ side have lost each of their four historic meetings by an aggregate score of 9-0.

Team News

Despite notching just a single strike from any of his previous 10 appearances across all competitions, 23-year-old Vladislav Morozov should keep his spot leading Belarus’ attack here. Settling for a second-half cameo appearance in midweek, BATE midfielder Valeriy Bocherov could be handed a full recall in St. Gallen.

Cementing his spot as Alos’ number-one over the past 12 months, Villarreal youngster Iker Alvarez will once again start between the sticks on Sunday evening.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Switzerland and Belarus met for their reverse qualifying showdown back on March 25th, Switzerland claimed a routine 5-0 romp.
• In fact, the Reds have won each of their four historic meetings against Sunday’s guests by an aggregate score of 9-0.
• Switzerland are unbeaten in each of their six Group I appearances this year.
• Belarus have claimed just a pair of wins from any of their previous 15 straight appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, the White Wings have failed to find the net in any of their last three appearances.

Conclusion

Marking their return to qualifying duties with a routine performance in midweek as they landed a 3-0 romp against Andorra, there is no doubt that Switzerland have been handed another golden chance on Sunday evening. Appearing to breeze their way to next year’s European Championships, the Reds will also be excited by their dominant record against their Group I rivals. Landing a routine 5-0 win when the two sides last met back on March 25th, some of Yakin’s attack stars will be looking to lay down their own individual marker in St. Gallen. Watching Itten now find the net in his previous three contests for club and country, we are backing the 26-year-old to extend on his recent purple patch here.

Verdict: Cedric Itten to score anytime

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster