Al Janoub Stadium will play host to Thursday's FIFA World Cup game between Switzerland and Cameroon. The game kicks off at 9:00 pm with Switzerland heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Switzerland vs. Cameroon game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday November 24, 2022 at 9:00 pm
Where: Al Janoub Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Switzerland vs Cameroon Odds
Switzerland vs Cameroon Preview
With Brazil expected to dominate in Group G, Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia know they are fighting for second spot and that any slip-up in their matches against one another will almost certainly cut short their World Cup adventure.
The desire to avoid defeat could make for a cagey affair in this opening encounter but it is one that Switzerland should navigate, even if their recent form appears slightly erratic.
The Swiss were also placed alongside Brazil and Serbia in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup and impressed in the opening matches, holding Brazil to a 1-1 draw and beating Serbia 2-1. But Vladimir Petkovic’s side tailed off disappointingly, conceding late in a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica and producing a limp performance against Sweden that saw them depart at the round-of-16.
However, they followed up with their best ever European Championships performance at Euro 2020. Victory over World Cup holders France in the last 16 was followed by a determined display in the quarter-finals against Spain, where a harsh 77th-minute sending off for Remo Freuler stalled Swiss momentum and led them to defeat in a penalty shootout.
Long-term manager Petkovic was tempted away soon after, but replacement Murat Yakin has arguably improved the team.
In qualifying for the World Cup, Switzerland went unbeaten in a group containing Italy, conceding just two goals in eight games to top the section and book their place in Qatar.
A strange set of results followed in the Uefa Nations League. The Swiss were hammered 4-0 by Portugal as they lost each of their first three matches, but in the reverse fixtures they got their revenge against the Czech Republic, Spain and Portugal, beating all three.
However, the up and down nature of their performances can at least in part be attributed to Yakin using the lower-profile tournament to tweak his formation and trial different players – and he now seems settled on a 4-2-3-1 that is delivering results.
By contrast, there seems little method to Cameroon’s World Cup preparations, with changes occurring in the hierarchy, in the dugout and within the squad.
A power shift at the head of the Cameroonian Football Federation early in 2022 resulted in the sacking of manager Toni Conceicao, who was replaced by the inexperienced Rigobert Song.
During Song’s short tenure, there has been a constant chopping and changing of formations and players, with a number of newly nationalised squad members drafted in and Cameroon using six different formations in seven games – there’s fine-tuning and then there’s looking like you haven’t got a clue what your best team is.
There is some serious talent in the squad such as Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, Bayern forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Napoli’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa. But there is also a lack of cohesion brought about by the inclusion of players who have only recently switched allegiance to represent the Indomitable Lions.
It makes Cameroon a hard team to judge. Things could fall into place to reveal a team that is ready to fight for a place behind Brazil in Group G. Or, as seems more likely, it could quickly unravel against a better-prepared and well-drilled side such as Switzerland.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Switzerland to win at $1.70 odds.
Correct Score:
Correct Score: Switzerland 2-1 at $8.50.