Spain will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League campaign when Switzerland visit Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Saturday.
Luid Enrique’s side have picked four points from a possible six and sit one point clear at the top of Group A4, while the Swiss sit bottom with just a single point to their name.
⏳ ¡Cuenta atrás!Estamos deseando disputar un nuevo #DerbiIbérico.¡¡VAMOS, EQUIPO!!💪🏻#SomosEspaña 🇪🇸#SomosFederación pic.twitter.com/lpPuEoL7s8— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) October 7, 2020
⏳ ¡Cuenta atrás!Estamos deseando disputar un nuevo #DerbiIbérico.¡¡VAMOS, EQUIPO!!💪🏻#SomosEspaña 🇪🇸#SomosFederación pic.twitter.com/lpPuEoL7s8
Spain kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Germany, with Jose Gaya scoring a 95th-minute equaliser to earn his country a point.
However, the Spaniard’s next game was for more straightforward. A Sergio Ramos double, along with goals from Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, saw Spain thrash Ukraine 4-0.
Enrique’s men enjoyed a whopping 70% possession in their previous game and racked up 25 shots – ten of which were on target.
Following an unbeaten European Championship qualifying campaign, Spain are now unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Nations League campaign started with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ukraine on Matchday 1.
However, having notched up 20 shots against Germany on Matchday 2, the Swiss were perhaps unlucky to only come away with a draw 1-1 against their neighbours.
Switzerland won each of their final three Euro qualifiers to finish top of their group and book their place in next summer’s tournament.
The Swiss beat Ireland, Georgia and Gibraltar with an aggregate scoreline of 9-1, but it’s fair to say they haven’t enjoyed a great start to the international calendar this year.
Head-to-head: Believe it or not, Switzerland have avoided defeat in each of their previous two meetings with Spain.
Switzerland beat Spain 1-0 at the 2010 World Cup before securing a 1-1 draw in a friendly match against the Spaniards in 2018.
Team news: Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal has been forced to withdraw from the Spain squad with a knee injury, although there are a number of notable additions.
Adama Traore could feature, despite also being named in Mali’s recent squad. Teenage prodigy Ansu Fati – Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer – is also in the mix.
As for Switzerland, star man Xherdan Shaqiri will miss Saturday’s game after testing positive for coronavirus.
This is set to be a tight game, but Switzerland’s impressive recent record against Spain could give the visitors an edge.
Forebet predicts that both teams will score. However, the Swiss could rise to the occasion and get the better of the hosts.