Europe WC Qualifiers 13-18. November

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Switzerland vs Sweden Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Switzerland:
Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Aebischer, Xhaka, Rieder; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas

Sweden:
Johansson; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof; Elanga, Bergvall, Ayari, Svensson, Gudmundsson; Isak, Bardghji

Switzerland will welcome Sweden to the Stade de Geneve on Saturday in an important match in UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Swiss are first in Group B with 10 points, while second-placed Kosovo have seven. Having on mind the superior goal-difference, a victory here almost guarantee an automatic qualification. Switzerland managed to beat Kosovo, Slovenia and Sweden in the reverse fixture, while played a goalless draw with Slovenia on road. What is important to be mentioned, Switzerland are yet to concede a goal. Coach Murat Yakin composed an excellent team and they are able to upset even the strongest rivals. They are very experienced considering the fact they have qualified for every World Cup since 2006. The current situation suggests that record is unlikely to change. Yakin has the majority of his players available, only Remo Freuler is sidelined after undergoing surgery for a fractured collarbone. On the positive note, Michel Aebischer is available after missing the last two matches with an adductor injury.

Sweden have just one point from the possible 12. That means they suffered three defeats and played one draw. According to me, they are the biggest disappointment in the qualifications. The Scandinavians lost 2:0 to Switzerland and that defeat could somehow be swallowed. However, two defeats from Kosovo are simply unacceptable. Despite the fact they have two World-class striker in Viktor Gjokeres and Alexandar Isak, the Swedes have scored just two goals. Their qualification hopes are not realistic and even a playoff spot now looks unlikely. Coach Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked after three straight defeats and the former Chelsea manager Graham Potter was appointed. What is positive for Sweden, they have an alternative option to be involved in the World Cup playoffs as a result of their performance in the Nations League. Nevertheless, a good result here is very important to impact the players confidence. The problem is the injury situation as Gyokeres miss out due to a hamstring injury, while Isak is doubtful with a groin issue.

Switzerland vs Sweden Prediction:

Switzerland are big favorites in this clash. They won 2:0 in the reverse fixture - their first victory against Sweden since 1994. And I expect a double. The home advantage should not be underestimated. Next, the actual form. The Swiss are much better and the players confidence is on their side. Finally, Sweden coach Graham Potter has big injury issues. Viktor Gyokeres is definitely sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while the situation with Alexandar Isak is complicated. The Liverpool striker has not played for the club since October 22 and only returned to training last week. He was named on the bench but remained an unused substitute in Sunday’s 3:0 defeat to Manchester City. Most probably he will be ready in time to start here, but his form is even bigger problem. Isak is yet to score a goal in the Premier League this season for Liverpool.

Switzerland vs Sweden Pick: Switzerland to win @ 1.58 with Pinnacle

 

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Germany vs Slovakia Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Germany:
Baumann; Baku, Schlotterbeck, Tah, Raum; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Wirtz, Gnabry; Woltemade

Slovakia:
Dubravka; Gyomber, Skriniar, Obert, Hancko; Bero, Lobotka, Rigo; Duris, Strelec, Haraslin

Germany will welcome Slovakia to Red Bull Arena Leipzig in the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier. The hosts are huge favorites, even more as draw is good enough for them. But Slovakia already beat Germany in the reverse fixture and they should not be underestimated. Die Mannschaft started the campaign with a shocking 2:0 defeat in Bratislava, but then recorded four victories. They managed to beat Luxembourg and Northern Ireland, both home and away. Germany had scored 10 goals in the process, while conceded just one. Coach Julian Nagelsmann is doing a solid job, but his destiny is directly connect with this match. A possible defeat here will complicate his position. The absence of several key players is a big problem for the young coach as Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Antonio Rudiger, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz are all sidelined through injuries. On the positive note, Joshua Kimmich and Nico Schlotterbeck should return after missing out last time out with minor issues.

Slovakia have started the campaign very good, with two straight wins in the first two rounds. Francesco Calzona's men first beat Germany 2:0 and then Luxembourg 1:0. Hancko and Strelec were the scorers against Germany, while Tomas Rigo decided the match in Vaduz. Nevertheless, they suffered the first defeat when visited Northern Ireland in October. It was a difficult fixture in which both teams had their own chances, but Patrik Hrosovsky's own-goal made the difference in the first half, but also in the match. According to me, that was the crucial defeat for Slovakia. Now they need a small miracle to finish first. The Falcons beat Luxembourg and Northern Ireland in the last two rounds and they are still in position to fight for the first place in Group A. Beating Germany is a challenging task, but not impossible. The Falcons have won four of their previous 12 matches against Germany across all competitions, including victories in two of their last three mutual games, so they should enter this match in a confident mood. Calzona has the majority of his players ready, only Greif and Suslov are out.

Germany vs Slovakia Prediction:

Germany are heavy favorites at home. A full Red Bull Arena in Leipzig will be their 12th player. A draw is good enough, but coach Nagelsmann will not calculate. He will ask an offensive approach from his players. Anything else is in collision with German mentality. So, I expect in-form Newcastle striker Woltemade, who has now scored three goals in seven caps for his country, to continue with goals. Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is under heavy pressure at Anfield, but not here. This is an ideal opportunity for him to find the back of the net and to rebuild his confidence. Now about Slovakia - are they able to score. It won't be easy, but I think they are. German attack's will left lot of space behind. The absence of Antonio Rudiger is a big problem for Germany. Slovakia should take advantage from his absence, at least to score, maybe even more.

Germany vs Slovakia Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 2.00 with Pinnacle

 

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Wales vs N.Macedonia Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Wales:
Darlow; Williams, Rodon, Lawlor, Dasilva; Sheehan; Johnson, Wilson, Brooks, D. James; Harris

N.Macedonia:
Dimitrievski; Ilievski, Serafimov, Stojchevski, Ashkovski; Kostadinov, Alimi, Bardhi; Ristovski, Trajkovski, Churlinov

Wales will welcome the Macedonian national team at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night. The two nations are level on 13 points, while Belgium are two points better off in first place. The Devils only realistically need a draw from their final game against Liechtenstein in Liege to guarantee their top spot finish and qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. Wales didn't play their best football three days ago, but managed to collect three points from Liechtenstein after Jordan James's close-range finish in the 61st minute. Coach Craig Bellamy, who served a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards, could be satisfy with the results, but not with the performance. To be worse, two key players are banned - captain Ethan Ampadu and goalscorer Jordan James. It is clear their absence is a big handicap for the Dragons. On the positive note, Harry Wilson is back from a ban of his own. According to me, the Fulham striker is able to make a difference here.

N.Macedonia will try to remain unbeaten for the first time in their history of the group-stage qualifications. Coach Blagoja Milevski could be satisfy with the campaign in which his side could write a history. But let's be realistic. It is true the Lynxes are unbeaten in their last four games across all competitions, but each of their last three matches have ended in stalemates. Five days ago they were held to a 0:0 draw at home against poor Latvia. Considering the fact it was just a friendly game, nobody care about the result. Last month N.Macedonia dropped two points against Kazakhstan in Skopje. No big damage, but the problem is Macedonia were outplayed in Skopje. The goalless draw with Belgium in the previous round was a fantastic result, but it was a lucky, very lucky result. Belgium had 78% possession, 25 shots and 690 passes with accuracy of 88%. They outplayed Milevski's side, but were unlucky to score. To be worse, the Lynxes will be without two important defenders as Alioski and Musliu are injured.

Wales vs N.Macedonia Preview:

Wales are closer to the victory in this crucial match. The truth is N.Macedonia are unbeaten so far in the group, but there is a story behind every game. Last month they dropped two points against Kazakhstan in Skopje. The problem is they were outplayed in Skopje. The goalless draw with Belgium in the previous round was a fantastic result, but it was a lucky, very lucky result. Belgium had 78% possession, 25 shots and 690 passes with accuracy of 88%. They outplayed the Lynxes, but were unlucky to score. On top of that, coach Milevski will be without two important defenders in Cardiff, as left-back Ezgjan Alioski and central defender Visar Musliu are both out injured. I know Bellamy will be without Ampadu and Jordan James, but Milevski's handicap is bigger. Missing two regular defenders when Your focus is completely on defense - is a big problem.

Wales vs N.Macedonia Pick: Wales to win @ 1.70 with Everygame