Unbeaten Switzerland have had plenty of time to prepare for their clash with African hopefuls Algeria in the Fifa World Cup Round of 32 in Vancouver in the early hours of Friday morning.
Switzerland
Switzerland topped Group B with 7 points, Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina were second and third respectively with 4 points and Qatar earned just the 1 point and were eliminated.
Switzerland’s final group match came against co-hosts Canada at this stadium in Vancouver on the 24th June and they came out on top 2-1. The first half finished locked up at 0-0 but soon after the break goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi had Switzerland 2-0 up. Canada did pull a goal back on 76 minutes but the Swiss had done enough to earn top spot in the group and nice rest before their next assignment.
Switzerland put Bosnia and Herzegovina away 4-1 in their second group outing in Los Angeles. All the goals came from the 74th minute onwards, substitute Johan Manzambi scored their first and third either side of a Ruben Vargas strike. Although B&H pulled a goal back a late penalty from Granit Xhaka rounded off the scoring. Bosnia had a man sent off when they were only 1-0 down.
Switzerland were firm favourites to make a winning start to the group against Qatar in San Francisco but they were pegged back in injury time and the game finished 1-1. The Swiss had a number of clear cut chances but their only game came from a penalty converted by Breel Embolo on 17 minutes and their failure to put the game beyond their opponents was punished by a 94th minute equalizer from Qatar
Algeria
Algeria arrive in the knockout rounds as one of the best third place finishers. Argentina topped Group J with the maximum 9 points and Austria and Algeria were second and third with 4 points whilst Jordan left the tournament empty handed.
Coming into their group match against Austria in Kansas City last Sunday both nations knew a draw would be suffice to see them through but it was far from tame. Austria led 1-0 and 2-1 with Algeria equalizing through Rafik Belghali and Riyad Mahrez. Heading into injury time a second goal from Mahrez had Algeria in front and looked to have settled the argument but back came Austria with a 96th minute equalizer and it finished 3-3.
Algeria put themselves on the board and back in contention for place in the knockout rounds when they came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in San Francisco in their second group match. After going into half time 1-0 down second half corners led to goals for Nadhir Benbouali on 69 minutes and Amine Gouiri on 82 minutes.
Algeria struggled to lay a glove on Argentina in Kansas City in their opening match and they went down 3-0. They conceded once in the first half and twice in the second and they failed to register an attempt on target.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Switzerland are priced at around 11/10 to win the game with the draw available at 22/10 and Algeria can be backed at around 29/10
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 11/10 and its 17/20 for both teams to score
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The Verdict:
After throwing away a win first time out things certainly went Switzerland’s way in terms of how their subsequent group matches panned out whilst Algeria have grown in confidence. Question marks over Algeria’s ability to keep a clean sheet would worry me a touch and I’m with at least one goal in each half.
Bets: Goals in both halves? Yes at 9/10 with Pokerbet
Note, odds are subject to change
