Friday 3rd July – 04:00am BST
🌍 FIFA World Cup – Round of 32 ⚽
🇨🇭 Switzerland vs. Algeria 🇩🇿
| ⚽️ BET 1: Johan Manzambi to score or assist 💷 1pt Best Odds: 3.00 at Bet365 ⚽️ BET 2: Switzerland win and Over 1.5 Goals 💷 1pt Best Odds: 2.75 at Sky Bet |
Early on Friday morning, Switzerland cross paths with a familiar figure, as they face Vladimir Petković, the man who once shaped an entire era of Swiss football and now leads Algeria. The Bosnian‑born coach guided the Nati through some of their most successful modern tournaments, reaching the last‑16 at Euro 2016, and the 2018 edition of the World Cup, and famously beating France to reach the quarter‑finals at Euro 2020.
Switzerland, now managed by Murat Yakin, have enjoyed an unusually long preparation period of over a week, which could lead to tactical changes. However, Yakin must start Johan Manzambi after his standout performances. He announced himself, coming off the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina to score twice in Switzerland’s second game, a 4–1 group‑stage win. Given a start in the next game, he backed it up with a goal and an assist in the 2–1 victory over co‑hosts Canada.
Algeria arrive here after a 3–3 draw with Austria, in a game that well… let’s not talk about it. Before that, Jordan managed to score in Algeria’s fortunate 2–1 Arab Derby comeback, and Argentina put three past them, which is hardly a disgrace but still telling. They also share an unwelcome distinction: among all teams to reach the last 32, only Sweden conceded as many goals, and Algeria are still without a single clean sheet in the tournament.
With Manzambi’ s run of form and Algeria’s back line looking anything but secure, the same angle makes sense again. His electric pace, his great finishing and crossing ability means backing him to score or assist feels fully justified, especially given we were paid out on that market in the Canada match. Despite Petković’s history with his opponent tonight, I just can’t see Algeria having enough over 90 minutes here. Switzerland should win and find the net twice at least.
The Swiss dominated the game against Qatar, but failed to find a way to put them away. They were held 0-0 by a difficult Bosnia and Herzegovina, before smashing four goals past them in the last twenty or so minutes then defeated Canada to clinch the top spot and send the Canadians down to the States for the remainder of their games.
They came good, when it was needed, and they need another performance here to set up a tie with Colombia or Ghana in Vancouver on Tuesday evening.
Best of luck.
Will Burns
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