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Breel Embolo always performs on the international stage for Switzerland and has been impressive again at this World Cup with three goal contributions across his three starts.

He’s taken seven shots across those three games (2.39 per 90), finding the target on three occasions (1.02 per 90). He’s on penalties for Switzerland and will cause problems for the Algeria backline, aided by Johan Manzambi, who has also been impressive for Murat Yakin’s side.

Embolo has scored 25 goals across 89 caps for Switzerland, with four of those goals coming across six starts during qualifying. He found the target nine times across those games, working out to an average of 1.66 shots on target per 90.

Riyad Mahrez is still a really important figure in this Algeria side and scored twice against Austria last time out to set up this tie.

He’s had at least one shot in every game, finding the target against Jordan to go alongside the two goals he scored against Austria. He is on free kicks and penalties for Algeria, which can offer him an extra route to the target if he is limited from open play.

Mahrez has scored 40 goals across 97 caps for Algeria, which is a really consistent record at international level. He scored three goals across just four starts during AFCON earlier this year; all three of his efforts on target during that campaign ended up in the back of the net.

Did you know Xhaka has only committed one foul at the World Cup so far? 

It’s actually not one of his main attributes, despite the assumption that the Sunderland midfielder is always reckless. He has, however, won four fouls across his three starts at the World Cup (1.33 per 90).

Xhaka averaged 1.54 fouls won per 90 for Switzerland during the qualifying campaign, showing that winning fouls is actually a consistent part of his game when lining up for his nation.

Xhaka also maintained an average of 1.27 fouls won per 90 during the 25/26 Premier League season for Sunderland, a tally that was notably higher than his fouls committed average (0.71 per 90).

Algeria do have real attacking talent that can hurt a Swiss side that I haven’t been too impressed with so far. They haven’t really convinced me in any of their games so far, despite winning two matches, and I think they are struggling slightly with the weather conditions.

Algeria drew two saves from Alexander Schlager in their most recent game against Austria, and also forced six saves from Jordan’s keeper as they came away 2-1 winners in that clash.

They didn’t trouble Argentina in their opening game, but they have grown into the tournament and should be able to test Gregor Kobel, who has already been called into action on 11 occasions across his three matches (3.67 per 90) with a save percentage of 78.6%. 

Both of these sides will see this as a pretty favourable draw, especially seeing as the winner of this tie will face either Colombia or Ghana for a spot in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

There are no easy games at the World Cup, but this is certainly the weakest portion of the draw and a chance for an unlikely side to emerge as an underdog. I think both sides set up to try and win the game rather than sit back and hope for penalties.

Both sides have seen 2+ goals in all three of their group games, with Algeria seeing 3+ goals in all three of their matches and notably failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those games. Switzerland are also without a shutout, conceding to the likes of Bosnia and Qatar across their group stage matches.