Defending champions Spain are already through to the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, and they will host bottom-placed Switzerland in the final group game.
Switzerland’s relegation to the UEFA Nations League B has already been confirmed, and they will be playing for pride when they hit the road to square up against Luis de la Fuente’s Spain at Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez on Monday night.
The home team have already sealed the top spot, and they are through to the next round after racking up 13 points in their five outings thanks to four wins and a draw. La Roja have won each of their last four games and are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win over Denmark.
Spain were in total control of the proceedings for the majority of the time and got the result they wanted. On the other hand, Switzerland have been winless in League A Group 4. They have only managed two draws in their five outings, and it has been a campaign to forget.
With relegation to League B already confirmed, the visitors will look to end things on a high with their first team. But, it won’t be easy as they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw against Serbia, and the Euro 2024 winners will present a much bigger challenge. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Spain
Luis de la Fuente has released Martin Zubimendi, Alex Baena, and Mikel Oyarzabal from the matchday squad with qualification to the quarter-finals already confirmed. He has called up Pablo Barrios, and the Atletico Madrid sensation could be in for a start.
Luis de la Fuente will look to test a few of his players in this fixture. It will be the 4-2-3-1 formation, where David Raya should be in goal. Oscar Mingueza and Alejandro Grimaldo should be the full-backs, while Dani Vivian and Aymeric Laporte should continue in the heart of the defence.
Mikel Merino will pair up with Fabian Ruiz in the centre of the park. The duo will look to shield the backline and provide a stable base to attack from. Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino could feature on the flanks, while Dani Olmo should take charge in the number ten role. Skipper Alvaro Morata should return to the starting XI, leading the line for Spain against Switzerland.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Mingueza, Vivian, Laporte, Grimaldo; Merino, Ruiz; N Williams, Olmo, Pino; Morata
Switzerland
The visitors will also make quite a few changes to the team that started against Serbia. While there is nothing to fight for, Switzerland will try to end things on a high.
Murat Yakin’s men will also line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Gregor Kobel will be in goal. Edimilson Fernandes and Ricardo Rodriguez will be the full-backs, while Eray Comert should continue to partner Manuel Akanji at the heart of the defence.
The back four will aim for a clean sheet against a star-studded attack, and they will receive support from Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler who will form the double pivot in midfield. Joel Monteiro and Dereck Kutesa will provide width to their attacks, while Zeki Amdouni will be the chief creator. Andi Zeqiri will be lead the line for the away team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Fernandes, Comert, Akanji, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Monteiro, Amdouni, Kutesa; Zeqiri
Key Stats
- While Switzerland have been unbeaten in their last two outings, they have been winless in their last six games across competitions.
- Spain have been unbeaten in the UEFA Nations League with four wins and a draw in their five outings.
- La Roja have scored 10 goals in their five outings and have only conceded twice.
- The home team have not lost a competitive game since March 2023.
- Switzerland lost 4-1 in the reverse fixture.
Player to Watch
Nico Williams
Nico Williams was on fire for both club and country last season, but the 22-year-old has not been at his best since the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Williams only has four goal contributions in his 15 outings, and he will be eager to get his name on the score sheet when he takes the field against Switzerland.
Prediction
Spain 2-0 Switzerland
While Spain were not at their very best in their last outings, they still got the job done and expect nothing less from them against Switzerland. The visitors have been unbeaten in their last two outings after losing three in a row. They will be looking to script an upset against La Roja but it might not be their day. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for the home team.