HONDURAS vs. SWITZERLAND
Date: June 25, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Amazonia, Manaus
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 0-0-1
Last Match: 2010 World Cup (Group Stage). Honduras tied Switzerland 0-0.
Line: Switzerland -250
Group E Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Honduras (33rd), Switzerland (6th)
Managers: Luis Fernando Suarez (HON), Ottmar Hitzfeld (SUI)
Captains: Noel Valldares (HON), Gokhan Inler (SUI)
World Cup Appearances: 3 (HON), 10 (SUI)
Best Finish: Honduras (2x Group Stage, Last in 2010), Switzerland (3x Quarterfinals, Last in 1950)
Qualifying Records: Honduras (7-4-5, GF: 25, GA: 15), Switzerland (7-0-3, GF: 17, GA: 6)
Previous Game Results
Honduras
Switzerland
June 15th - Switzerland def. Ecuador 2-1
June 20th - France def. Switzerland 5-2
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Switzerland: Johan Djourou (Yellow Card), Steve von Bergen (Out - Eye)
Overview
Expected to be relatively straight-forward contest to end Group E, Switzerland's blowout loss to France last week has thrown that in to question. Make no mistake, Switzerland are a far better side then Honduras but you have to question their mental state after a defeat like that.
A pair of key selection notes for both sides. Honduras get Wilson Palacios back in the midfield which should improve Honduras' defence as a whole as well as meaning the Swiss players will have some bruises tomorrow if they get near Palacios. And Swiss centre back Steve von Bergen is back home after fracturing his orbital bone in the game against France.
Honduras offer little in the way of offence so look for this battle to be a contest between the speed and passing of the Swiss midfield against the brutish, physical play of the Honduran defence.
Honduras will likely stick with their 4-4-2 formation counting on Jerry Bengtson and Carlo Costly up top to create offence. Otherwise they should stick back defensively and try to absorb the Swiss attack as best as possible.
Switzerland have been surprisingly potent offensively with 4 goals. 3 of those have come very late though and it overlooks their poor defensive display so far in Brazil. They'll be fortunate to face an inept Honduran attack today and get there world cup back on track with a win.
Personnel
In the Honduran Third: Switzerland still in search of the elusive reliable striker they want but can generate plenty of chances with their midfielders. Xherdan Shaqiri has been a terror for opposing teams so far this tournament and if any space is left to players like Xhaka and Inler, they will unleash long-range shots on goal with alarming accuracy. Honduras will have difficulty matching the quick pace and ball movement of the Swiss midfield. Advantage: Switzerland
In the Midfield: Honduras rely heavily on the long ball offensively and will need to do so to get through the Swiss ranks that will crowd the midfield. Honduras can put pressure on the ball through this part of the field but will not be able to keep the Swiss at bay forever. Advantage: Switzerland.
In the Swiss Third: Very concerned about the state of the Swiss back line in this tournament. Usually stout, they've surrendered 6 goals in their 2 opening matches. If Honduras had any kind of competent attack, the Swiss would be in trouble. Fortunately, Honduras pose little offensive threat and Switzerland should use this game to get back on track. Advantage: Switzerland.
Goalkeeping: Valladares shaky in his first two games for Honduras. Weird thing to say but Benaglio actually kept the Swiss in the game somewhat against France despite allowing 5 goals. Advantage: Switzerland.
A pair of key selection notes for both sides. Honduras get Wilson Palacios back in the midfield which should improve Honduras' defence as a whole as well as meaning the Swiss players will have some bruises tomorrow if they get near Palacios. And Swiss centre back Steve von Bergen is back home after fracturing his orbital bone in the game against France.
Honduras offer little in the way of offence so look for this battle to be a contest between the speed and passing of the Swiss midfield against the brutish, physical play of the Honduran defence.
Honduras will likely stick with their 4-4-2 formation counting on Jerry Bengtson and Carlo Costly up top to create offence. Otherwise they should stick back defensively and try to absorb the Swiss attack as best as possible.
Switzerland have been surprisingly potent offensively with 4 goals. 3 of those have come very late though and it overlooks their poor defensive display so far in Brazil. They'll be fortunate to face an inept Honduran attack today and get there world cup back on track with a win.
Personnel
In the Honduran Third: Switzerland still in search of the elusive reliable striker they want but can generate plenty of chances with their midfielders. Xherdan Shaqiri has been a terror for opposing teams so far this tournament and if any space is left to players like Xhaka and Inler, they will unleash long-range shots on goal with alarming accuracy. Honduras will have difficulty matching the quick pace and ball movement of the Swiss midfield. Advantage: Switzerland
In the Midfield: Honduras rely heavily on the long ball offensively and will need to do so to get through the Swiss ranks that will crowd the midfield. Honduras can put pressure on the ball through this part of the field but will not be able to keep the Swiss at bay forever. Advantage: Switzerland.
In the Swiss Third: Very concerned about the state of the Swiss back line in this tournament. Usually stout, they've surrendered 6 goals in their 2 opening matches. If Honduras had any kind of competent attack, the Swiss would be in trouble. Fortunately, Honduras pose little offensive threat and Switzerland should use this game to get back on track. Advantage: Switzerland.
Goalkeeping: Valladares shaky in his first two games for Honduras. Weird thing to say but Benaglio actually kept the Swiss in the game somewhat against France despite allowing 5 goals. Advantage: Switzerland.
Honduras will win if:
Use their physical play to get the Swiss out of rhythm and use your strike pairing to exploit what is a very questionable Swiss defensive line right now. Honduras are big and the most physical team in the tournament. Some times too physical as Wilson Palacios showed in their first game. Need to use that physicality to disrupt the Swiss offence and keep them from entering the Honduran area. The Swiss wing backs in particular push very high up the field so important to be able to counter-attack the wings and get balls to Bengtson and Costly when the Swiss are committed forward.
Switzerland will win if:
Control the tempo of the game, and be crisp in their ball movement. Honduras would like nothing more then to turn this in to a wild, physical, back and forth contest. That isn't the Swiss game. Control the ball in midfield, slow things down if necessary and be patient on the attack. Need their passing to be on point, Honduras will chase opponents out of position and that's when the Swiss will get opportunities to go for goal.
Refuse to believe the Swiss team that trailed France 5-0 last game is a true representation of their quality. They rebound in a big way today.
Switzerland 3-0 Honduras.
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