Overview
At the top of Group B and unbeaten so far, Switzerland continues its impressive journey towards a sixth consecutive appearance at the World Cup.
Coach Murat Yakin's team has earned 10 points after 4 matches with 3 wins and a draw. They have scored 9 goals and have not conceded any.
Switzerland is a model of solidity in the defense, with a series of 8 unbeaten matches in all competitions and keeping a clean sheet in 5 consecutive matches. The recent goalless draw against Slovenia ended a streak of 6 consecutive wins, but they are still the team most difficult to beat in the group.
Currently ranked 17th in the world, Switzerland has qualified for every World Cup since 2006, and their current form shows that this record is unlikely to be broken.
With high confidence and stable performance, Yakin's students are completely confident in their chances against Sweden, the team is facing many difficulties.
Historically, matches between Switzerland and Sweden have always been tense. Switzerland have won four of their last 10 meetings, Sweden have won three, and the other three have ended in draws.
Meanwhile, Sweden is going through a nightmare campaign, at the bottom of Group B with only 1 point after 4 matches, scoring only 2 goals and conceding 7 goals.
Despite having a talented squad, Sweden has not yet found a rhythm and stability. Their hopes of qualifying for the play-offs are slim, unless they can create an unbelievable winning streak.
The 0-2 defeat to Switzerland in the first leg - the first loss to their opponents since 1994 - clearly reflected the difficulties of the Nordic team.
After 3 consecutive losses in the qualifying round, the Swedish Football Federation took decisive action, parting ways with Jon Dahl Tomasson and appointing Graham Potter in October.
The arrival of Potter brings hope for tactical change and new energy. While immediate change is a difficult task, the appointment has fueled optimism that Sweden could at least end the campaign more strongly.
Even if they do not make it to the top 2, they can still qualify for the World Cup play-off round thanks to their recent achievements in the Nations League.
Personnel situation
Switzerland will be without Remo Freuler, who is sidelined after undergoing surgery for a broken collarbone.
However, Michel Aebischer has returned to the squad after being absent for the last 2 matches due to a shoulder injury.
The home team's defence is expected to include Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Silvan Widmer and Ricardo Rodriguez, while captain Granit Xhaka continues to be a mainstay in midfield. The attack is likely to be led by Dan Ndoye, Breel Embolo and Ruben Vargas.
On the Swedish side, the first team under Potter saw Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres absent due to a hamstring injury, while Liverpool's Alexander Isak was called up despite recovering from a groin injury.
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Lucas Bergvall returns after a break due to a brain contusion, and Anthony Elanga and Roony Bardghji are also in the squad.
Yasin Ayari, Jesper Karlstrom and Hugo Larsson are new faces in the squad, reflecting Potter's intention to assert power and tactical style.
Expected lineup:
Switzerland: Kobel, Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez, Aebischer, Xhaka, Rieder, Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas.
Sweden: Johansson, Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof, Elanga, Bergvall, Ayari, Svensson, Gudmundsson, Isak, Bardghji.
The match between Switzerland and Sweden takes place at 2:45 am on November 16 (Vietnam time).
