Serbia vs. Switzerland Prediction: 2022 World Cup Betting Odds

Edgar Chaput
December 1, 2022

Of all three Group G sides vying for a spot in the knockouts (Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon), the Swiss are in the best position to go through, although it’s very tight and things can get complicated. Details below.

This is a neck-and-neck affair. Experts have Serbia at +145 and Switzerland at +176. A draw is pinned at +239. The O/U is seen as 2.25 goals scored.

Serbia vs. Switzerland Betting Analysis

Serbia +143
Draw +258
Switzerland +163

The only time these countries ever met on the football pitch was four years ago at the 2018 in Russia, also in the group stage. It was the middle match, which the Swiss claimed 2-1, thus gravely hurting Serbia’s Cup dreams. The latter needed to defeat Brazil in the final game, which unsurprisingly didn’t happen.

The simplest outcome is a Switzerland victory, which takes care of all variables. The Swiss go through, and Serbia and Cameroon see their dreams end. Headaches begin if a draw is earned. Switzerland will hope the Seleçao take care of business, otherwise, it becomes a numbers game with goal differentials. Should Serbia claim victory, they too will pray for a favourable outcome in the Brazil-Cameroon match.

Serbia rides a three-game losing streak in final group stage matches. That obviously needs to change. The last time they won at this critical juncture was in 1998 (as Serbia and Montenegro), 1-0 against the U.S.

As for the Swiss, historically they are more comfortable with final group games. Wins in 2006 and 2014 helped them go through, as did a draw in 2018. The only recent bump in the road was a draw in 2010 that was insufficient to qualify for the next phase. Still, no defeats since 1994.

Serbia

We opened this preview with “so close yet so far.” Not only does that apply to the circumstances facing Dragan Stojković’s unit heading into this contest, but it’s an apt descriptor of the game with the Cameroonians.

Serbia bravely fought back from a 1-0 deficit to take what at the time felt like a commanding 3-1 lead. Poor play in the middle of the pitch and slow regrouping on the counter-attack led to not one but two goals for the opposition to level 3-3. What’s more, Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrović came incredibly close to scoring a second goal not once, not twice, but thrice. One shot even rattled off the post. It was a breathtaking game for neutral observers. It was a relieving result for Cameroon. For Serbia, they know they dropped 2 critical points.

Switzerland

Murat Yakin led a brave group of men to face Brazil. Given the disparity in quality, there was no other strategy than to defend like mad and, should providence smile on them, steal something on the counter-attack. When all else failed, try to hold onto the ball. It showed in the final statistics. 46% possession sounds respectable but contrasted with six shot attempts with none hitting the mark.

The first-half performance planted the seed of hope in Swiss minds. At 0-0, Brazil didn’t quite resemble their ruthlessly efficient selves. That changed in the back half, as keeper Yann Sommer came to the rescue more than once. When he didn’t make a save, the Brazilian opportunities came alarmingly close. As for the Casemiro winner, one can fault a defence only so much. It’s the sort of goal people think of when discussing “the beautiful game.” Equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.