Check out our best bets for Switzerland vs Algeria, including a 5/1 bet builder and an Algeria midfielder to be carded.
Switzerland vs Algeria BettingSee All Odds
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Switzerland and Algeria meet at BC Place in Vancouver tonight in a Round of 32 knockout tie, with Murat Yakin’s side looking to continue their strong tournament after topping Group B.
Algeria, meanwhile, came through Group J as one of the best third-placed teams after a dramatic group-stage campaign. Vladimir Petković’s side lost heavily to Argentina, beat Jordan and then drew 3-3 with Austria to secure their place in the knockouts.
There is also a strong tactical subplot, with Petković facing Switzerland after managing the national team from 2014 to 2021. That familiarity should add another layer to a tight knockout tie, with Switzerland expected to be organised and controlled, while Algeria have enough technical quality and intensity to make this uncomfortable.
Check out our best bets for the match, featuring Ibrahim Maza to win 2+ fouls, our 5/1 Bet Builder and Nabil Bentaleb to be shown a card.
Switzerland vs Algeria Best Bet
Recommended Bet: Ibrahim Maza to win 2+ fouls
Best Odds: 6/5 (bet365)
Advised Stake: 1pt
Ibrahim Maza to win two or more fouls looks the strongest betting angle for Switzerland vs Algeria, with the young playmaker likely to be central to Algeria’s ball progression in a tight knockout tie.
Maza has been fouled at least twice in 22 of his 42 starts for club and country this season, while his recent fouls-won sequence reads 1, 1, 2, 2, 0, 2 and 3. That means he has cleared this line in four of those seven matches, including three of his last four.
His role should be pivotal to Algeria’s attacking plan. Petković’s side have technical quality through Mahrez and Amine Gouiri, but Maza’s ability to receive between lines, carry through midfield and draw defenders towards him gives Algeria a different route up the pitch. If Switzerland control territory, Maza should be one of the main players tasked with turning defensive regains into attacks.
Switzerland’s midfield structure is built around Xhaka and Remo Freuler, both of whom are experienced enough to recognise when to stop attacks early. Freuler’s recent foul record includes several multi-foul games, while Xhaka remains a key defensive organiser in central areas.
Who is favourite to win Switzerland vs Algeria?
Switzerland are favourites at 10/11, implying an approximate 52% chance of victory. The draw is priced at 9/4, while Algeria are 10/3 outsiders.
Switzerland vs Algeria Bet Builder Tip
Our Bet Builder Tip for Switzerland vs Algeria is:
- Granit Xhaka to win 1+ foul
- Hicham Boudaoui to win 1+ foul
- Breel Embolo to win 2+ fouls
- Rayan Aït-Nouri to commit 2+ fouls
Leg 1: Granit Xhaka to win 1+ foul
Xhaka to win at least one foul is a solid midfield-contact leg, with Switzerland’s captain expected to be heavily involved in controlling the tempo of this knockout tie.
Xhaka has been fouled in all four of his knockout appearances for Switzerland, showing that opponents often have to make contact when he receives under pressure and tries to dictate the game.
Xhaka’s recent matches includes several one and two-foul returns, and this line only requires one foul drawn. Against an Algeria midfield likely to press aggressively and stop Switzerland building cleanly, Xhaka should have a clear route to being fouled at least once.
Leg 2: Hicham Boudaoui to win 1+ foul
Boudaoui to win at least one foul adds an Algeria midfield angle to the Bet Builder. He is yet to be fouled at this World Cup, but that looks slightly misleading when measured against his wider tournament profile.
Before this competition, Boudaoui had been fouled in all five of his previous tournament appearances for Algeria, including two or more fouls won in three of those matches.
Switzerland’s midfield is experienced and organised, but that can also create tactical fouling routes. If Boudaoui receives under pressure, carries into space or helps Algeria connect midfield to Mahrez, Gouiri and Maza, Switzerland may need to stop him before Algeria can build momentum.
Leg 3: Breel Embolo to win 2+ fouls
Embolo to win two or more fouls is the strongest individual fouls-won leg in the Bet Builder. His recent fouls-won record reads 4, 4, 0, 1, 6, 2, 2, 5, 3, 4, 2, 3, 3, 8, 2, 1 and 3, showing a consistent ability to draw contact when leading the line.
He has also been fouled 19 times across seven tournament matches against teams ranked lower or similar to Switzerland. That is a strong profile for a striker who often plays with his back to goal, competes physically and gives Switzerland a direct outlet when they need to relieve pressure.
Leg 4: Rayan Aït-Nouri to commit 2+ fouls
Aït-Nouri to commit two or more fouls completes the Bet Builder by targeting Algeria’s defensive workload on the left side. His tournament foul counts for Algeria read 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 6, 1, 2, 4 and 1, meaning he has reached this line in six of those 10 appearances.
Aït-Nouri could spend large parts of the game up against Dan Ndoye, whose recent fouls-won sequence reads 2, 4, 3, 3, 2, 4, 1, 1, 5, 0, 4, 1, 1 and 4. Ndoye’s direct running gives Switzerland a clear way to attack Algeria’s left side and force Aït-Nouri into repeated defensive actions.
If Algeria are pushed back for spells, Aït-Nouri may also have to deal with overlapping runs, switches of play and transition recovery situations. That creates a strong route to two fouls, especially in a knockout game where full-backs can be exposed by one-v-one defending.
At the time of writing, the Bet Builder pays a best price of 5/1 with bet365.
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Switzerland vs Algeria Player Prop Bet
Recommended Bet: Nabil Bentaleb to be shown a card
Best Odds: 3/1 (bet365/Paddy Power)
Advised Stake: 1pt
Nabil Bentaleb to be shown a card is an appealing player-prop bet for Switzerland vs Algeria, with the midfielder likely to be involved in a physical central battle against Switzerland’s runners between the lines.
Recent central midfield and defensive midfield foul totals against Switzerland read 2, 1, 3, 2, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 2, 1 and 2, with four of those players also being booked.
Bentaleb's recent Algeria tournament foul counts read 0, 2, 2, 1, 0, 1, 5, 2 and 1, with three yellow cards.
The key tactical angle is Johan Manzambi. He has been fouled two or more times in 37 of his 47 starts for club and country this season. If Bentaleb is tasked with screening those central zones and stopping Manzambi from turning into space, he has a clear route to fouls and potentially a booking.
Switzerland vs Algeria Predicted Lineups
Switzerland predicted XI:
Kobel; Jaquez, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodríguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Ndoye, Manzambi, Vargas; Embolo.
Algeria predicted XI:
Benbot; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri; Aouar, Bentaleb; Chaïbi, Maza, Mahrez; Gouiri.
Switzerland vs Algeria Match Prediction
Switzerland enter this tie with the stronger structure and more reliable tournament profile. Yakin’s side are usually difficult to break down, and the midfield control provided by Xhaka and Freuler should help them manage long spells of the match.
Algeria are dangerous, though. Their 3-3 draw with Austria showed both sides of their tournament so far: attacking quality and resilience, but also defensive vulnerability. Mahrez, Gouiri and Maza should give Switzerland problems if Algeria can find space in transition.
The Petković subplot also makes this a fascinating tactical battle. His knowledge of Switzerland may help Algeria prepare, but Switzerland’s consistency, defensive organisation and greater recent knockout-stage experience could still prove decisive.
This should be competitive, and Algeria have enough going forward to score, but Switzerland look slightly more trustworthy over 90 minutes.
Score Prediction: Switzerland 2-1 Algeria
