Czech Republic vs Switzerland

Slavia Prague’s home venue Sinobo Stadium plays host to the Czech Republic’s UEFA Nations League Group A2 curtain-raiser against Switzerland.

Deemed massive underdogs in a highly competitive section feating Switzerland, Spain and Portugal, the Czech Republic will be desperate for a positive start on home soil. Jaroslav Silhavy’s men have gone from the Euro 2020 surprise package to the 2022 World Cup qualifying let-down, bowing out to Sweden (0-1) in the play-off semi-finals. Despite lamenting an almost indifferent international record at this stadium (W5, D5, L4), the Czechs will draw inspiration from their H2H form against Switzerland. They have won all three previous meetings with the Swiss, including the last two without conceding. Yet, it’s worth mentioning that their most recent duel dates back to 2008.

As for Switzerland, a brace of winless international friendlies (D1, L1) in the build-up to this trip marked an underwhelming start to their warm-up campaign ahead of Qatar 2022. But the Swiss’ poor recent form could be put down to their hangover following a sensational late comeback to pip Italy to direct qualification for the upcoming World Cup finals. If Murat Yakin’s men are to live up to their status as pre-match favourites, they will have to defy their underwhelming Nations League away record since the competition’s introduction in 2018 (W1, D1, L4). That said, Yakin led Switzerland to four clean sheets in their last five internationals as betting favourites, with three -1 handicap triumphs adding a special flavour to his successful early tenure.