Belgium vs Switzerland 13/10/18

13 October 2018

Belgium and Switzerland are set to face-off against each other at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussel after both teams started their UEFA Nations League journey with success.

De Rode Duivels have defeated Iceland by three goals to nil on the road in the UEFA Nations League opener following a commanding 4-0 triumph over Scotland in an international friendly. The Red Devils have been outstanding at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, having won the third place following a comfortable 2-0 victory over England in the play-off. Roberto Martinez’s side finished the group stage with a maximum of nine points and a +7 goal difference, after which they’ve eliminated Japan in the round of 16 and Brazil in the quarter-finals. However, a narrow 1-0 defeat to France in the semis prevented Belgium from reaching their first-ever World Cup Final.

On the other hand, the Nati have suffered the round of 16 elimination to Sweden after advancing to the knockout stage as a second-placed team in Group E behind Brazil. After returning home from Russia, the Rossocrociati demolished Iceland 6-0 on the UEFA Nations League opening matchday, while losing 1-0 to England in a friendly three days later. Although the hosts are favorites in this encounter, Vladimir Petkovic hopes his side can dodge a failure and leave Brussel undefeated.

The Tottenham Hotspur duo Moussa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen, as well as, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Real Sociedad’s Adnan Januzaj are ruled out with injuries for Belgium, with Christian Kabasele, Dennis Praet, and Hans Vanaken recalled by Martinez. As for the visitors, Petkovic has all of the players who featured in Russia fit and ready for the meeting.