Switzerland – Czech Republic

Switzerland have a slightly better chance of success in their next game

The day's action in Group 2 of the Nations League division A confounded the previous group leaders. Spain enter the home fixture against Switzerland as the third title challenger in the tournament and, following their defeat, are at risk of not even qualifying for the Final Four. Murat Yakin's men, in turn, climbed to third place from the bottom of the group thanks to victory in Zaragoza and could be satisfied with a draw in the final round in order to retain their place in League A. Against the Czech side, Switzerland will come out as favourites to win, with bookmakers offering a fairly low odds of 1.65. The Swiss side's ability to be heroic was on full display in World Cup qualifying, where they conceded just two goals to beat Italy, who later suffered a disastrous defeat in the playoffs. The dizziness of success has apparently prevented Yakin's men from focusing on the new Nations League. The Swiss suffered defeats to each of their group rivals in the first decade of June, but ended the summer series with a home win over Portugal. In that game, Seferovic scored in the opening minute before neither side could capitalise further. Finally, the encounter against Spain in September levelled the playing field for Switzerland, and they are now clear favourites to ensure survival against the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic were drawn in Ligue A after winning the Ligue B group in the previous Nations League, against Scotland, Israel and Slovakia. They finished only third in their group, behind the Welsh and Belgians, in the World Cup qualifying, before losing in the play-offs to Sweden. The inglorious journey of Jaroslav Šilhava's side continued in the new Nations League. The Czech Republic started their Liga A campaign with a 2-1 win over Switzerland and a draw against Spain. The Czech Republic, despite a decent level, infamously lost the next three fixtures to Switzerland, 0-8 on aggregate. Despite the away game and a three-game losing streak, the Czechs have already beaten Switzerland in the current tournament and have the character not to lose in St. Gallen.