The final action in the Fifa World Cup Round of 16 comes from Vancouver on Tuesday night where Switzerland take on Colombia
Switzerland
Switzerland remain in Vancouver where they have played their last 2 matches. In the Round of 32 they comfortably saw off Algeria with a 2-0 win with goals early in each half rom Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye.
The Swiss 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 in Vancouver 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.
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
Colombia
Jhon Arias scored the decisive goal after just 14 minutes of their 1-0 Round of 32 win over Ghana in Kansas City. Colombia were much the better side but couldn’t add to their tally whilst Ghana failed to register an attempt on target.
Colombia topped Group K, unbeaten with 7 points. Portugal were second with 5 points and DR Congo also qualified from third place with 4 points whilst Uzbekistan failed to earn a point.
Colombia’s 0-0 draw with Portugal in their final group match in Miami rubber stamped top spot up in the group. They had the better of an entertaining match despite the lack of goals although they were desperately unlucky to have what would have been a late winner chalked off by VAR.
Earlier Colombia sealed a place in the last 32 with a 1-0 win over Dr Congo in Guadalajara to make it 2 wins from 2. Daniel Munoz scored the only goal of the game in the 76th minute.
Colombia had started with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in Mexico City. Munoz gave them the lead just before half time but they were pegged back on the hour mark. Luiz Diaz put them back in front on 65 minutes before Jaminton Campaz sealed the win deep into injury time.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Switzerland are priced at around 28/10 to win the game with the draw available at 22/10 and Colombia can be backed at around 13/10
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 71/50 and its even money for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Colombia have been impressive and will take some beating but the Swiss have also gone about this tournament in good touch and after waiting decades to win a knockout round match they won’t be go down without a fight.
I think this could be a good watch and I fancy goals for both sides.
Bets: Both teams to score? Yes at even money with BetXchange
Note, odds are subject to change
