Tips Feed

After a comfortable group stage campaign, Argentina have had to dig deep in the knockout rounds. They needed extra time to get past Cape Verde in the round of 32, before producing a miraculous comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt last time out. Argentina have not been at their dominant best in the knockout stages, but they keep finding ways to win, and that resilience is ultimately what matters in a World Cup. 

Switzerland will be without Johan Manzambi, who has arguably been their best player at the World Cup, and they looked flat against Colombia in a 0-0 draw last time out. The combined tally of 0.7 xG generated was the lowest of any match in the tournament.

Argentina cleared this line on their own against Cape Verde in the round of 32, before then racking up six corners against Egypt last time out. Switzerland are stronger than both of those opponents and will be confident of contributing to the corner tally here. 

The Swiss are averaging 9.6 corners per game at the World Cup so far, and this selection has landed in four of their five games. There were 10 corners in their last match against Colombia, with three corners for and seven conceded, even with that being one of the lowest-quality matches of the entire tournament.

Lionel Messi has scored eight goals at the World Cup, putting him level with Kylian Mbappe despite only featuring from the bench in Argentina's final group stage match.

The 39-year-old could be clear at the top - he has missed two penalties in the competition so far. Against Cape Verde, Messi racked up nine shots and was unfortunate to see five of those efforts saved.

Still, he has scored in every World Cup appearance so far, while also providing one assist, which was for Cristian Romero against Egypt last time out, to start the comeback. The maestro is still operating at the highest level, and is given so much of the ball by Argentina. Even when he doesn’t have his best game, he is still influential in the final third.

With Johan Manzambi out, Fabian Rieder was introduced into the starting lineup against Colombia, and he put in a solid display, playing 103 minutes before being replaced in extra time. He racked up three shots in that match, with one hitting the target. Rieder was one of Switzerland's standout performers, and he accounted for almost half of the shots his team took. 

Rieder also managed two shots against Algeria in the previous knockout round despite only featuring off the bench. Rieder will have to play a key role for Switzerland on the counter, and that is exactly where he thrives. When the space opens up, he usually doesn’t hesitate to shoot, and that could be useful against a team like Argentina.

Granit Xhaka was fouled three times against Colombia in the previous round, playing a massive role in getting Switzerland into the quarter-finals. The Sunderland man is yet to miss a minute at the World Cup, highlighting how indispensable he is to Murat Yakin's system in the heart of midfield. 

Xhaka sees plenty of the ball, and is always looking to drop a bit deeper to receive the ball and progress the play. He has been adept at absorbing pressure and inviting contact to help the Swiss. Xhaka accounted for five of Switzerland's 12 fouls drawn against Algeria in the round of 32, while also landing this selection against Bosnia and Canada in the group stages. He has landed this in four of his five World Cup matches, averaging 2.25 fouls drawn per 90.

Enzo Fernandez has recorded at least one foul in all four of his World Cup appearances so far, landing this selection in two of those games, including two fouls against Egypt in the previous round. Operating in the heart of Argentina's midfield, the Chelsea man is given a large defensive burden, tasked with cutting out counter-attacks and winning the ball high up the field to help Argentina sustain pressure. He has to be tenacious in his tackles, which explains his foul record. 

This looks an excellent matchup to target his fouls, considering Switzerland were fouled 21 times against Colombia last time out. Enzo Fernandez should find duels against former Arsenal man Granit Xhaka in midfield here, and that is a matchup to keep an eye on.

Dan Ndoye is another player who has been a difficult player to contain, averaging 4.46 fouls drawn per 90 at the World Cup. Not only is that the highest figure in the Switzerland squad, but it’s also one of the highest of any player in the competition. 

The Nottingham Forest man did not quite have the desired impact in the Premier League this season, contributing just two goals in 37 appearances, but he has raised his level significantly at this tournament. Ndoye has landed this selection in all four of his World Cup starts so far, averaging 3.62 shots per 90. 

Argentina have looked vulnerable on the break in their knockout matches, which Egypt were able to exploit. The South American side also conceded eight corners and 16 shots against Cape Verde in the Round of 32. 

Switzerland are unlikely to sit back and absorb pressure given how they have approached previous knockout matches, and Zakaria operating from right back has shown a willingness to push into advanced positions. He had two shots against both Qatar and Algeria in previous games, and his aerial presence from set pieces provides an additional angle for him to contribute going forward and land this selection.

Remo Freuler looks set for a pivotal role in the heart of midfield here alongside Xhaka. The 34-year-old is yet to pick up a booking at the World Cup, but he has still been a combative figure, recording seven infringements across his five starts. He has been fortunate to escape a caution up until this point, but this upcoming clash against Argentina looks like his toughest matchup yet. 

Freuler picked up six yellows in 40 appearances for Bologna in the 25/26 campaign, after accumulating nine bookings in the season before. He has been no stranger to the referee’s notebook, and will now find duels against Messi, who is averaging 2.85 fouls drawn per 90 at the World Cup.