No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Johan Manzambi3 - 2Rubén Vargas2
- 3
Riyad Mahrez2 - 4Granit Xhaka1
- 5Amine Gouiri1
- 6Rafik Belghali1
- 7Nadhir Benbouali1
- 8Breel Embolo1
- 1Dan Ndoye10
- 2Farès Chaïbi8
- 3Ibrahim Maza8
- 4Breel Embolo7
- 5Rubén Vargas6
- 6Johan Manzambi6
- 7Granit Xhaka5
- 8Riyad Mahrez5
- 9Amine Gouiri3
- 10Rafik Belghali3
- 1Rayan Aït-Nouri8
- 2Manuel Akanji6
- 3Ramy Bensebaini6
- 4Remo Freuler4
- 5Farès Chaïbi4
- 6Nabil Bentaleb3
- 7Ricardo Rodríguez3
- 8Denis Zakaria2
- 9Rubén Vargas2
- 10Aïssa Mandi2
- 1Houssem Aouar2
- 2Breel Embolo2
- 3Rubén Vargas1
- 4Johan Manzambi1
- 5Riyad Mahrez1
- 1Breel Embolo8
- 2Rubén Vargas6
- 3Riyad Mahrez5
- 4Nabil Bentaleb4
- 5Ricardo Rodríguez4
- 6Michel Aebischer4
- 7Houssem Aouar3
- 8Granit Xhaka3
- 9Aïssa Mandi3
- 10Rafik Belghali3
- 1Aïssa Mandi293
- 2Ramy Bensebaini286
- 3Manuel Akanji237
- 4Granit Xhaka219
- 5Nico Elvedi215
- 6Nabil Bentaleb204
- 7Farès Chaïbi169
- 8Remo Freuler154
- 9Ricardo Rodríguez130
- 10Rafik Belghali124
- 1Ibrahim Maza13
- 2Rayan Aït-Nouri6
- 3Dan Ndoye5
- 4Rafik Belghali3
- 5Breel Embolo3
- 6Jaouen Hadjam3
- 7Rubén Vargas2
- 8Farès Chaïbi2
- 9Johan Manzambi2
- 10Michel Aebischer2
- 1Ramy Bensebaini6
- 2Farès Chaïbi3
- 3Nabil Bentaleb3
- 4Denis Zakaria2
- 5Granit Xhaka2
- 6Aïssa Mandi2
- 7Nico Elvedi2
- 8Ricardo Rodríguez2
- 9Rayan Aït-Nouri2
- 10Manuel Akanji2
Switzerland take on Algeria in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 on Friday 3 July. Kick-off is set for 4:00am (UK Time), with both teams looking to book their place in the last-16 of the tournament. Find our best bets and Switzerland vs Algeria predictions below.
Murat Yakin’s Group B winners take on an Algeria side enjoying only their second appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds, with both nations aiming to keep their tournament alive.
Switzerland vs Algeria predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match result Draw | 47/20 @ Spreadex (29.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Portugal have flattered to deceive so far, with their only group-stage win coming against World Cup debutants Uzbekistan. They also needed extra time in both of their Euro 2024 knockout matches. Croatia rarely make life easy for opponents in knockout football. Five of their last seven World Cup knockout ties finished level after 90 minutes, and another tight contest looks likely. |
| Ruben Vargas to score anytime | 10/3 @ Sky Bet (23.8%) | ⭐⭐ | Ruben Vargas has carried his excellent form into the World Cup, scoring in each of Switzerland’s last two matches and emerging as one of Murat Yakin’s biggest attacking threats. The Sevilla winger averages three shots per game at the tournament and should enjoy more opportunities against Algeria. With confidence high, backing Vargas to score anytime offers excellent value. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams go into Switzerland vs Algeria
Switzerland have grown into the tournament after a slow start. Murat Yakin’s side were fortunate to escape with a point against Qatar in their opener, but they responded impressively by thrashing Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 before beating co-hosts Canada 2-1 to finish top of Group B.
The win over Canada underlined Switzerland’s progress. Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi were both on target after Breel Embolo played a key role in the build-up, while the defence remained composed after Promise David pulled one back for the hosts. Switzerland had to withstand late pressure, but they did enough to secure another place in the World Cup knockout rounds.
Algeria had to work much harder to reach the knockout rounds. Vladimir Petkovic’s side opened with a heavy defeat to Argentina before beating Jordan to keep their hopes alive, then sealed qualification with a dramatic victory over Austria in their final group match.
Defensively, Algeria have looked far less convincing than Switzerland for much of the tournament, although Petkovic’s knowledge of Swiss football could help bridge that gap. The former Switzerland manager knows many of the players well and has a clear understanding of how Murat Yakin’s side like to play, giving Algeria a useful tactical edge heading into this tie.
Switzerland team news
Murat Yakin is expected to stick with the system that guided Switzerland to top spot in Group B, although one position in defence remains undecided. Silvan Widmer appears the favourite to start at right-back after Yakin rotated that role throughout the group stage, while Gregor Kobel, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi and Ricardo Rodriguez should complete the back four.
Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler are set to anchor the midfield once again, with Johan Manzambi expected to keep his place after impressing against Canada. Ruben Vargas is certain to start on the left, while Dan Ndoye could return on the opposite flank. Breel Embolo should continue to lead the attack.
Algeria team news
Vladimir Petkovic could name a similar side after Algeria secured qualification in dramatic fashion. Oussame Benbout impressed on his World Cup debut against Austria and is expected to keep his place in goal, while Rayan Ait-Nouri should return at left-back alongside Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini and Rafik Belghali in defence.
Nabil Bentaleb remains the key figure in midfield and could be joined by Ibrahim Maza and Hicham Boudaoui if Petkovic opts for a more balanced setup. Further forward, Riyad Mahrez and Fares Chaibi are expected to support Amine Gouiri in attack, with Houssem Aouar likely to make way.
Head-to-head
Switzerland and Algeria have never met in a competitive match. Their only previous encounters came in two friendly internationals during the 1980s, with Switzerland winning both.
Who will advance to the last-16
Switzerland are the favourites with the bookmakers to win this match, but we think it will be closer than the odds suggest. Take the match to be a draw after 90 minutes, or for those looking for something from the player markets, Ruben Vargas stands out at 10/3 with bet365 to score anytime.
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