Spain vs Switzerland

Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez Lopez forms the backdrop for a lopsided UEFA Nations League Group A4 finale between Spain and Switzerland.

Spain entered November’s international break with a guaranteed spot in the Nations League quarter-finals. However, seeking their first-ever unbeaten campaign in Europe’s youngest competition, they refused to take their feet off the gas, beating Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen to extend their winning streak in Group A4 to four matches since a goalless away draw against Serbia on matchday one. Buoyed by an intimidating 20-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W19, D1), Luis de la Fuente’s men are odds-on to defeat the out-of-sorts Swiss and close the distance on the country’s longest-ever undefeated run of 28. Spain’s two home wins in the ongoing Nations League cycle came ‘to nil,’ yet their home record against Switzerland in this competition remains evenly split (W1, L1), suggesting there’s no room for complacency.

In the meantime, Switzerland relinquished their long-term League A status last week with a gut-wrenching 1-1 home draw against Serbia. As the only side in this group yet to win a match in the current Nations League cycle (D2, L3), Murat Yakin’s men seem bereft of confidence as they seek only their second win in eight encounters against Spain (W1, D2, L4). However, a failed attempt to clutch three points against La Roja would extend Switzerland’s winless streak in all competitions to seven matches. It would be their longest competitive winless run since November 1986 (D5, L4), meaning they should still enter this dead rubber significantly motivated to upset the odds!