There is much to play for in UEFA Nations League A, Group 4 as the group winner and relegation are yet to be decided. In terms of relegation, both Switzerland and Ukraine face the threat of dropping into League B. The two teams meet on Tuesday the 17th of November at the Swissporarena, Lucerne.
Switzerland come into the match sitting bottom of the group on 3 points and they will feel disappointed not to have won their previous game. The Swiss took the lead at home against Spain in the 26th minute and it appeared as though they were going to see out the match for a 1-0 win.
⚽️🇨🇭A-Nati: Aebischer, Kasami und Lang nachnominiert📰https://t.co/THOnmLewEK pic.twitter.com/xr881MeTPi— 🇨🇭 Nati (@SFV_ASF) November 15, 2020
⚽️🇨🇭A-Nati: Aebischer, Kasami und Lang nachnominiert📰https://t.co/THOnmLewEK pic.twitter.com/xr881MeTPi
However, the Spanish had other ideas and scored the equalising goal in the 89th minute to win a point. It is worth noting that Spain missed two penalties, with Sergio Ramos the guilty party on both occasions.
That result means Switzerland have failed to win a game in the group. Having played 5 fixtures, they have picked up 3 draws against Germany, home and away plus Spain at home. The two defeats have come away from home in Spain and Ukraine.
Trends show Switzerland have failed to win any of their last 7 matches in all competitions. However, they are difficult to beat at home and the Swiss have lost only 1 of their last 8 home games in all competitions.
Switzerland have found the back of the net at least once in each of their last 8 home matches and both teams have scored in each of their last 3 on home soil.
Ukraine make the trip to Lucerne having suffered a 3-1 defeat in Germany on Saturday night. Ukraine took the lead after only 12 minutes of the match but Germany quickly found the equaliser and took the lead in the 33rd minute. A third goal for Germany 20 minutes into the second half ended any hope of Ukraine taking something from the game.
That was the third defeat in the group for Ukraine having also lost in Spain and at home against Germany. They have managed to win only 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
Ukraine have failed to win any of their last 5 away fixtures, losing each of their last 4 on the road. They have conceded at least 2 goals in each of their last 5 away games and scored only 2 themselves in their last 4.
Team news and Switzerland could go with a similar starting line up to that which faced Spain. However, Nico Elvedi will be suspended following his red card in that game and his place could go to Fabian Schär.
Ukraine could hand starts to Yevgeniy Makarenko, Bogdan Mykhaylichenko, and Júnior Moraes as they aim to freshen things up following the defeat in Germany.
Ukraine know a draw will be enough to see them remain in Nations League A for next season. They are unlikely to open up and give Switzerland space to create chances. This match could end level with both teams scoring.