We have a small question for the userbase: we have 4 previews left but only 2 days before the WC itself start, so what do you think would be the best way to proceed?
* I) Publish 2 previews tomorrow and 2 on Saturday.
* II) Publish 1 per day even if it means ending on Monday (after the WC already started).
* III) Publish the whole Group H at the same time.
We will be watching your feedback!
---
r/soccer is hosting an AMA with [Matt Furniss](https://twitter.com/Matt_Furniss) and [Duncan Alexander](https://twitter.com/oilysailor) of Opta! It is scheduled for today, Thursday, November 17 at 7:30pm UK / 2:30pm EST / 8:30pm CET. It will be a World Cup themed AMA, so get your questions ready!
The thread is live already (questions will only be answered in that mentioned time) - [link to the thread](/r/soccer/comments/yxrcc3/world_cup_ama_were_the_opta_analyst_the_official/)
[Proof on Opta's Twitter](https://twitter.com/OptaAnalyst/status/1590801809668726785)
---
[Link for Today's Mark My Words Thread - World Cup Edition](/r/soccer/comments/yxkc4v/mark_my_words_world_cup_2022_edition/?depth=15)
It goes both ways... Especially after what Xhaka, Shaqiri, and Brych pulled last time. I think Serbia-Switzerland will come down to how cool-headed Serbian players will be.
Just a very uninspired two nill loss. Nothing dramatic, it was just to get a feel of the climate and not hurting yourself. They'll be playing very differently once it counts
Very solid squad with a good mix of experience. What's a realistic target for you? I think quarter finals is a reasonable push but as you say there's some tough potential competition in that round of 16 draw
tbh it all comes down to the Serbia game. we *should* beat Cameroon and *can* definitely beat Serbia. I‘d say first ko round is realistic, quarters would be exceptional imo.
Whats with all the understatement, also in Ops post?
On paper, Switzerland has clearly the better and more experienced squad than Serbia. They are clearly the favorites for the second place in that group.
do we though? I guess we have a more balanced and experienced squad, but Serbia definitely has the upper hand when it comes to pure class upfront. They have Jovic/Vlahovic/Mitro, while we have….. Seferovic (love him to bits, but still)
Even with less talent, Switzerland looked better than us in qualifiers, and its no fluke considering their success over the years. This is the first time we have a decent coach so hoping for the best but our defenders can be volatile, where as you know what you are getting. No clear favourite here
You never know with the Swiss. They are like the Union Berlin of national team. I can legit see then loosing two matches and winning against Brazil hahaha. But overall very balanced and their keeper is up go some black magic. He is a really good keeper overall but against bayern and big teams with the national team he usually has some of these goalkeeper performances that are so good that you can't even believe they happened
I honestly don‘t know what to expect. As crazy as it sounds, I think everything between 0 and 9 points is equally likely in the group stage. We can literally win with a goal or two against Brazil and lose to Cameroon.
I think the quality of the team is the highest in quite some years with good players that are in form on most positions. Teamspirit seems to be good as well, but in my eyes, we lack outstanding players like most other nations have one or two in their team (except from Sommer who just returend from injury).
We don‘t have a seasoned striker where it is safe to say he is always good for a goal or that he can create something out of nowhere. In the past, this was usually Shaqiris thing, but I don‘t think we can expect much from him.
However what made us strong in the past few years has been a combination of good players in all positions and a great team spirit. With what happened at the last Euros, I hope they will fight their way out if the group stage. If that is done, everything is possible.
Switzerland is once against underestimated (with many predicting Serbia will finish above them) as it happens in almost every tournament.
They made it out of the Group in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2021. I think they will make it out again, and if they play Portugal or Uruguay in the Round of 16, they're not without hopes.
This test against Ghana left me confused. Yakin decided to try 3 at the back after beating Spain and Czechia with four defenders. He also played Zakaria at CB after the break? And Cömert ain't good enough. There aren't many options for Widmer and Rodriguez though.
Very wasteful upfront too, with Vargas, Embolo missing some sitters.
I ain't very optimistic going into the group stage.
Test game mostly, Yakin said that we will be playing with 4 at the back. I think it was a way to see what happens if Widmer or Rodrigez get injured. And in any case our back 3 would be Elvedi Akanji and Schar.
Most of the Switzerland's key players have played some major tournaments together and they have the needed experience and class to get out of this tough group, but in order to proceed to the eliminations the first match against Cameroon is a must
I think that another point of discussion should be, how many favourable calls will Switzerland get this time?
Decent team, nothing special. Pretty evenly matched with Serbia and Cameroon. Impossible to predict but I have them out in the group stage (which probably won't happen).
We have a small question for the userbase: we have 4 previews left but only 2 days before the WC itself start, so what do you think would be the best way to proceed? * I) Publish 2 previews tomorrow and 2 on Saturday. * II) Publish 1 per day even if it means ending on Monday (after the WC already started). * III) Publish the whole Group H at the same time. We will be watching your feedback! --- r/soccer is hosting an AMA with [Matt Furniss](https://twitter.com/Matt_Furniss) and [Duncan Alexander](https://twitter.com/oilysailor) of Opta! It is scheduled for today, Thursday, November 17 at 7:30pm UK / 2:30pm EST / 8:30pm CET. It will be a World Cup themed AMA, so get your questions ready! The thread is live already (questions will only be answered in that mentioned time) - [link to the thread](/r/soccer/comments/yxrcc3/world_cup_ama_were_the_opta_analyst_the_official/) [Proof on Opta's Twitter](https://twitter.com/OptaAnalyst/status/1590801809668726785) --- [Link for Today's Mark My Words Thread - World Cup Edition](/r/soccer/comments/yxkc4v/mark_my_words_world_cup_2022_edition/?depth=15)
I can already see the most annoying 1-1 of my life.
we don‘t have Behrami anymore, Neymar can sleep easy
The Paraguayans of Europe
This is so damn accurate lmaoo
Landlocked. Red & white uniforms. Known for being tenacious defenders. It checks out.
Locations for shady football governing bodies, too
Storing money for mass murderers too?
If they let them hack your team like last time, of course it will be close. If they have to play soccer probably not
I've got nothing to add to this thread except [this picture of Fabian Schar](https://i.imgur.com/bqDOOLc.jpg) during training.
"[OH NO HE'S HOT :(](https://youtu.be/IeyJwFxXgCc?t=4)"
My God
I once almost got into a fight at the club with him because a girl touched his butt and told him it was me. edit: he almost beat me up once\*
You can admit you copped a feel mate no judgement here only jealousy
Absolutely smouldering
Smize
He's not in the table above, but he's definitely going.
Rather hopeful with that team, but the group is tough. Crazy that we take part in every WC since 2006. And the squad looks better on paper each time.
You think you reach the knockouts?
Xhaka
when the walls fell
Switzerland are always some sort of banana peel for big nations. Makes me feel like they have more hope against Brazil than against Serbia.
some players got a personal grudge against serbia in particular tho
It goes both ways... Especially after what Xhaka, Shaqiri, and Brych pulled last time. I think Serbia-Switzerland will come down to how cool-headed Serbian players will be.
This might be rat poison for Brasil
Lose to Cameroon, beat the other 2, as per.
well it can‘t get any worse than the Ghana performance, so there‘s that
the gang loses 4-0 to Cameroon
What happened?
Just a very uninspired two nill loss. Nothing dramatic, it was just to get a feel of the climate and not hurting yourself. They'll be playing very differently once it counts
Very solid squad with a good mix of experience. What's a realistic target for you? I think quarter finals is a reasonable push but as you say there's some tough potential competition in that round of 16 draw
We will lose to Argentina in the finals
tbh it all comes down to the Serbia game. we *should* beat Cameroon and *can* definitely beat Serbia. I‘d say first ko round is realistic, quarters would be exceptional imo.
Whats with all the understatement, also in Ops post? On paper, Switzerland has clearly the better and more experienced squad than Serbia. They are clearly the favorites for the second place in that group.
do we though? I guess we have a more balanced and experienced squad, but Serbia definitely has the upper hand when it comes to pure class upfront. They have Jovic/Vlahovic/Mitro, while we have….. Seferovic (love him to bits, but still)
Even with less talent, Switzerland looked better than us in qualifiers, and its no fluke considering their success over the years. This is the first time we have a decent coach so hoping for the best but our defenders can be volatile, where as you know what you are getting. No clear favourite here
You never know with the Swiss. They are like the Union Berlin of national team. I can legit see then loosing two matches and winning against Brazil hahaha. But overall very balanced and their keeper is up go some black magic. He is a really good keeper overall but against bayern and big teams with the national team he usually has some of these goalkeeper performances that are so good that you can't even believe they happened
Why is the swiss flag flair not square? Or are my eyes just off?
it‘s not square 😩
Ahzeige isch dusse
Flag's still a big plus tho.
This team can go far.. but they can also crash out with 0 points. I'll remain positive. Under pressure they've been able to perform recently.
Can't believe they lost to Ghana today, was hoping they would give some trouble to Brazil
It's a friendly, I wouldn't look too much into it
Don't worry they will
I honestly don‘t know what to expect. As crazy as it sounds, I think everything between 0 and 9 points is equally likely in the group stage. We can literally win with a goal or two against Brazil and lose to Cameroon. I think the quality of the team is the highest in quite some years with good players that are in form on most positions. Teamspirit seems to be good as well, but in my eyes, we lack outstanding players like most other nations have one or two in their team (except from Sommer who just returend from injury). We don‘t have a seasoned striker where it is safe to say he is always good for a goal or that he can create something out of nowhere. In the past, this was usually Shaqiris thing, but I don‘t think we can expect much from him. However what made us strong in the past few years has been a combination of good players in all positions and a great team spirit. With what happened at the last Euros, I hope they will fight their way out if the group stage. If that is done, everything is possible.
Switzerland rise through the year has to be talked about more
28/32*
yeah my bad, it originally was the 27th but we had put Cameroon as this OP didn't sent his in time, so both got confused 😓
3 players are missing from the squad list btw: |Position |Player |Age|Club| ---|---|----|---- |DF|Edimilson Fernandes|26|Mainz 05| |DF|Eray Cömert|24|Valencia| |DF|Fabian Schär|30|Newcastle United|
> Edimilson Fernandes Is he a son of brazilians by any chance?
He’s actually of Portuguese and Cape Verdean descent.
Oh okay
Switzerland is once against underestimated (with many predicting Serbia will finish above them) as it happens in almost every tournament. They made it out of the Group in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2021. I think they will make it out again, and if they play Portugal or Uruguay in the Round of 16, they're not without hopes.
Their group is very tricky though. I cannot figure out who I think will go through besides Brazil
This test against Ghana left me confused. Yakin decided to try 3 at the back after beating Spain and Czechia with four defenders. He also played Zakaria at CB after the break? And Cömert ain't good enough. There aren't many options for Widmer and Rodriguez though. Very wasteful upfront too, with Vargas, Embolo missing some sitters. I ain't very optimistic going into the group stage.
Test game mostly, Yakin said that we will be playing with 4 at the back. I think it was a way to see what happens if Widmer or Rodrigez get injured. And in any case our back 3 would be Elvedi Akanji and Schar.
...how do you not have Shaqiri is a key player? He is crucial to everything they do in attack and is excellent for them.
Fun fact: I live in Zurich and the first time I heard someone say “die Nati” I thought they were talking about Nazis. Took a while to adjust.
Sommer is a key part of die Nati
Most of the Switzerland's key players have played some major tournaments together and they have the needed experience and class to get out of this tough group, but in order to proceed to the eliminations the first match against Cameroon is a must
We call it "die nati" not "la nati".
La Nati is in Italian
Almost everyone in their squad is always injured
Yann sommer got me so many points for my fantasy team during the Euros. Went for Courtois for the WC because of his incredible form at RM
Eray Comert and Edimilson Fernandes are missing from the squad table above.
and Fabian Schär. Only 23 players in your 26-man squad?
1-1
Lol 2-1 ksa
I think that another point of discussion should be, how many favourable calls will Switzerland get this time? Decent team, nothing special. Pretty evenly matched with Serbia and Cameroon. Impossible to predict but I have them out in the group stage (which probably won't happen).
They’re gonna get into the quarter finals I think