Colombia are a really complete side and I’m not totally convinced by what I’ve seen from Switzerland so far.

The Swiss look to be struggling with the conditions a bit, they tire towards the end of games which is proven by how late they’ve been conceding goals - all three of the goals they’ve conceded have come in the 76th minute or later.

Colombia don’t really have that issue with many players that are used to these playing conditions. Colombia have avoided defeat across their four matches so far, including holding Portugal to a 0-0 draw in a game they really should have won if you look at the underlying numbers.

Switzerland have been involved in a few end to end game so far, seeing 2+ goals in all four of their matches and only managing to keep one clean sheet across these games which came against Algeria in the Round of 32.

Colombia saw four goals in their opener against Uzbekistan but have seen more cagey games since, though they should have scored more goals in all three of these matches having registered 20+ shots in all three games and an xG of 0.98 or higher.

Switzerland have seen 2+ goals in 29 of their last 31 matches across all competitions, so they’re clearly a side that can get involved in high scoring affairs and I think this will be another entertaining encounter between two sides who will feel as though they can win this tie.

Breel Embolo is performing again on the international stage with two goals and two assists across his four starts at the World Cup.

He’s a really reliable striker at this level having netted 26 goals across his 90 caps overall. Embolo has taken nine shots at the World Cup (2.33 per 90), seeing four of these efforts find the target (1.04 per 90).

His experience at international level will be a big benefit for Switzerland in this clash with Embolo showing this experience against Algeria last time out, scoring from two shots in the contest.

Embolo scored four goals across six starts during qualifying, maintaining an average of 1.66 shots on target per 90.

Luis Diaz is the most dangerous forward in this Colombia side and had the most shots of any player against Ghana last time out (5), seeing two of these efforts find the target.

Diaz has taken 16 shots across his four starts at the tournament overall (4.02 per 90), seeing five of these efforts find the target (1.26 per 90). He was just as active for Colombia during qualifying, netting seven goals across 17 starts from an average of 1.28 shots on target per 90.

Switzerland have only managed to keep one clean sheet at the World Cup so far and have notably conceded at least three shots on target in three of their matches. Colombia have the firepower and quality to hurt Switzerland with Diaz being an obvious threat.

I backed this selection in Switzerland’s game against Algeria in the Round of 32 and it sailed in with Xhaka being hauled down on five occasions.

I made the point on that occasion that Xhaka doesn’t actually commit many fouls, he’s only committed one foul across his four starts but does win fouls more consistently with nine fouls won across these matches (2.25 per 90).

Xhaka averaged 1.54 fouls won per 90 across his six starts for Switzerland during qualifying and will be up against an aggressive Colombian midfield, including Gustavo Puerta (2.06 fouls per 90) and Jefferson Lerma (0.82 fouls per 90).

Johan Manzambi is such a good player and is already on the radar of some of Europe’s top clubs following his displays at the World Cup and his successful season with Freiburg last year, pretty much leading the Bundesliga side to the Europa League final.

What’s really impressive about Manzambi is how seamlessly he’s adapted to international football.

He doesn’t seem to be affected by the pressure of representing his country and has been really impactful for the Swiss so far with five goal contributions across just 200 minutes of action at the World Cup (3 goals, 2 assists).

He’s registered a goal contribution in each of his last three games, playing a part in 2+ goals in two of these games.

Granit Xhaka has scored one goal at the World Cup so far, with that goal coming from the penalty spot in Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia.

Xhaka has taken five shots at the World Cup overall with four of these efforts coming from distance. He’s more willing to step forward into more advanced positions when playing for his country and has always had a speculative attempt in him.

Xhaka scored two goals across six starts during qualifying for Colombia, taking nine shots in these matches (1.54 per 90). He saw five of them find the target (0.86 per 90) and once again saw seven of his nine attempts come from outside of the box.

There’s every chance that Xhaka gets a free kick within shooting range in this one, Colombia are averaging 12.3 fouls per game at the World Cup and committed more fouls than any other side during qualifying (14.1 per game).

Colombia have been shooting for fun at the World Cup, taking 15+ shots in all four of their matches and clearing 20+ shots in three of these games. These shot totals have seen them produce a minimum of 0.98 xG in their matches, registering an xG of 2.04 from 20 shots against Ghana last time out.

Daniel Munoz is a really complete fullback and likes to push on high, which is something that he does regularly for Crystal Palace as a wingback - he scored five goals for the Eagles across all competitions last year with an average of 1.01 shots per 90 in the Premier League.

He’s already scored two goals at the World Cup as a result of his adventurous nature and won’t be afraid to get forward again here. He’s useful as an extra body in the box and usually arrives unmarked due to the excellent timing of his runs into the penalty area.