Preview: Serbia vs Switzerland
There’s almost nothing to separate these two for a match that will go a long way to deciding who qualifies for the last 16 from Group E.
The Adidas Telstar 18, the official ball of the tournament, is pictured ahead of the Costa Rica’s press conference at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 16, 2018 on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Costa Rica and Serbia. / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA
Serbia took three points against Costa Rica and are the slenderest of favourites at 9/5 against 19/10 Switzerland, who earned a battling point against group heavyweights Brazil. The draw, which potentially suits Switzerland better even if it leaves them two points adrift of Serbia with a game to play, is 21/10 and probably represents the best of the three outright options.
It’s likely to be an attritional encounter with both teams knowing defeat will leave them with a huge mountain to climb. A goalless draw is 11/2 and it’s not hard to see why.
Both teams are 13/2 to win the game 1-0 and those both look a reasonable way of getting the side you fancy on board at a tidy price. Under 1.5 goals at 6/4 is also likely to give you a decent run at some profit at the very least.
Goalscorers are tough to pick in this one, but there’s one player whose record stands out and could make all the difference.
Alexander Mitrovic scored six goals in Serbia’s last eight qualifiers and is 16/1 to score the only goal in this one. Again, it looks a perfectly decent price in a game that looks devilishly tough to call between two evenly-matched sides with everything on the line.
· Under 1.5 goals at 6/4
· Alexander Mitrovic to score and Serbia to win 1-0 at 16/1
