Game 9 Preview: Switzerland vs. Ecuador

SWITZERLAND vs. ECUADOR

 

 Date: June 15, 2014

Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT

Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia

Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): N/A

Last Match: N/A

Line: Switzerland +125

Group E Preview here.

Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Switzerland (6th), Ecuador (26th)

Managers: Ottmar Hitzfeld (SUI), Reinaldo Rueda (ECU)

Captains: Gokhan Inler (SUI), Antonio Valencia (ECU)

World Cup Appearances: 10 (SUI), 3 (ECU)

Best Finish: Switzerland (Quarterfinals, Last in 1950), Ecuador (Round of 16, 2006)

Qualifying Records: Switzerland (7-0-3, GF: 17, GA: 6), Ecuador (7-5-4, GF: 20, GA: 16)

Pre-Tournament Game Results

Switzerland

May 30th - Switzerland def. Jamaica 1-0
June 6th - Switzerland def. Peru 2-0

Ecuador

May 17th - Ecuador tied Netherlands 1-1
May 31st - Mexico def. Ecuador 3-1
June 4th - Ecuador tied England 2-2

Rosters

Injuries/Discipline

Switzerland: N/A

Ecuador: Christian Noboa (Questionable - Leg)

Overview

It's the first-ever meeting between the two countries as Group E kicks off in the capital Brasilia. And while goals have been pouring in to nets through this World Cup, that trend may come to a screeching halt in this game.

Switzerland come in having surrendered just 1 goal against in their past 7 World Cup matches. It's an unheralded group on the back end mostly that shut down opposing attackers with easy and shut make life very frustrating for Ecuador going forward.

As good as the Swiss are in the back though they are without any proven goalscorer on their squad and have to scrap and fight for every goal that comes to them. Winners of both pre-tournament games on late second-half goals, don't expect any fireworks from this still young team.

Ecuador are the decided underdog of all of the South American teams in Brazil. Having picked up most of their qualifying points in their home stadium at Quito (almost 10k feet above sea level), they struggle away from home and have difficulty with teams like Switzerland who use their organization to shut down any forays forward.

Ecuador thrives on a chaotic game where individual skill becomes the focal point. They can outrun and outdribble the Swiss in man-on-man situations but lose track of their field awareness and gameplan quickly which is where they have problems.

It's a defence for Ecuador that love to close down attackers quickly in their own end, but they have a tendency to leave men open when doing so and when they don't close down the ball properly, they find themselves in some real tight spots.

Personnel

In the Swiss Third:1 goal in 7 games in World Cup play? No matter who you're facing, that's an incredible statistic. Their is an offence in this group that will create problems. It isn't Ecuador. Advantage: Switzerland

In the Midfield: Switzerland have a number of young players capable of moving the ball effectively and finding space in the opposition. Ecuador either allow players too much space to advance or try and close down aggressively, often at their peril. Advantage: Switzerland

In the Ecuadoran Third: A defensive line that can allow massive holes at times against a team that's allergic to scoring goals. Get your popcorn ready kids. Advantage: LOL

Goalkeeping: All 3 goalkeepers for Ecuador play domestically and there is no clear starter. Diego Benaglio has been a stalwart for the Swiss and Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga for years. Advantage: Switzerland

Switzerland will win if:

ANYONE CAN PUT THE BALL IN THE NET. That sounds horrendously cliche but Ecuador's attack will get shut down by the Swiss defence with some ease. The case for the Swiss is also who will provide goals for them. They're great in the midfield but fall apart in the opposing area. If anyone can find a scoring touch in this game, it will be enough.

Ecuador will win if:

Peru played Switzerland in pre-tournament action and found a couple of breaks on long through balls to players at full speed towards the Swiss back line. Ecuador have the wingers to provide the same kind of problems for the Swiss defence. Send the ball long to a winger and get forward in numbers to connect on a cross. They also need to hold their line defensively and not break down like they often do. They can afford to be passive against this Swiss front.

Prediction

Even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut. I'll only believe the Swiss are an offensive threat when I see it but I think Ecuador are too disorganized on the back end to hold them off forever. It's also the 2014 World Cup and the concept of a scoreless draw is laughable.

Switzerland 1-0 Ecuador.