SWITZERLAND v UKRAINE - MATCH PREVIEW

Schevchenko is 13/8 to score at anytime with Coral. Switzerland are 7/5 to beat Ukraine in 90 minutes with Coral and Hakan Yakin to score first and Switzerland to win 2-0 is a massive 50/1. Many more selections available at Coral.

Head to Heads: Never met before

Switzerland - 1st, Group G

Group Statistics: W2 D1 L0 F4 A0 Pts7
Top Scorer: Alexander Frei, 2 (50% of Switzerland's goals)
Clean Sheets: 3
Failed to Score: 1
Best World Cup record: Quarter-finals three times, in 1934, 1938 and 1954
2002 World Cup Record: Did not qualify
Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups, 8 P25 W8 D4 L13 F37 A51
Interesting Stat: Switzerland are the only side in this World Cup not to concede a goal.

Ukraine - 2nd, Group H

Group Statistics: W2 D0 L1 F5 A4 Pts6
Top Scorer: Andriy Shevchenko, 2 (40% of Ukraine's goals)
Clean Sheets: 2
Failed to Score: 1
Best World Cup record: 2006 (this is their World Cup debut)
2002 World Cup Record: Did not qualify
Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups, 1 P3 W2 D0 L1 F5 A4
Interesting Stat: Ukraine and Switzerland both have the same disciplinary record going into this game, having picked up nine bookings and one sending-off each. They both languish in the lower half of the Fairplay League.

Match Preview

Arguably the most unglamorous of the Second Round ties sees Switzerland take on Ukraine in Cologne. The Swiss have only been here once in recent years, being knocked out at this stage in USA 94, whilst this is the Ukraine's debut World Cup. It is a significant achievement for both teams to have reached the last sixteen although not that surprisingly looking at the nature of the groups they were in. France were expected to Group G however but Switzerland's success is fully deserved. They are a tight and hard-working unit which will provide an interesting test against a Ukrainian side full of creativity and flair.

Switzerland have built their team around a solid defence and they are the only team not to concede a goal in the competition so far. At the other end the stats are not as impressive, with them only scoring four goals in their opening three games. This will have to improve against the more technically competent sides and you fear for them being able to go much further than this.

The absence of Arsenal centre-back Phillipe Senderos for the rest of the campaign is a major blow to the Swiss. He dislocated his shoulder in the 2-0 win against South Korea on the final day of Group games and has been the vital link in their strong back-four. Despite struggling for Arsenal this season, it was during the previous season where the debutised for the injured Sol Campbell that his qualities as a defender shone through. He plays a pivotal role in the centre of defence for Switzerland that belies his mere fifteen international caps.

He is also not afraid of getting forward, having a better strike record than some of the strikers in this World Cup. He also scored their opener against South Korea. He is likely to be replaced by Arsenal teammate Johan Djourou. He is less experienced than even Senderos, with only four caps to his name but has been given many chances against Premiership opposition by Arsene Wegner. He does have a good combination of speed and strength however and this will be vital in dealint with Ukraine's attack of Andriy Shevchenko and Andriy Voronin.

Lille striker Daniel Gygax is expected to be fit for the game after going off with a muscle strain at half time against Togo. He was also unused in the South Korea match. His versitility is the key and he can play in midfield or attack. He is Switzerland's main creative player and they will be looking for him to provide the balls for striker Alexander Frei, Switzerland's top scorer in the competition so far, to latch on to. His crossing for the big man may also be an important key in unlocking a strong Ukrainain defence. Gygax can also score, five goals in twenty-four not being a bad return.

The return to form of Frei is critical according to Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn as he has been injured for most of the season. He only played two games at the end of the season for his club Rennes before joining the national side in Germany but now he has returned to full fitness, Frei expects him to score more crucial goals to allow his side to progress further in the competition.

Ukraine have tightened up considerably after their 4-0 debut mauling at the hands of Spain and the Swiss are now going to have to work hard to break them down. However two of their major defenders Vyacheslav Sviderski and Andri Rusol are suspended for this game so the opportunity has never been better for the Swiss to reach the last eight for the first time since the Fifties. Rusol has played every minute of Ukraine's World Cup campaign on the left wing and his distribution from defence has been key to Ukraine's qualification for the knock-out stages. The most impressive player for the Ukraine so far, with twenty-six caps this skillful defender keeps his passing simple and precise and many attacks have been built from this simplicity. He is also their major marshall in the backline and their organisation may be severely hampered through his absence.

Sviderskiy added the grit to this flair and, despite only having eight caps, has slotted well into the central-defensive birth in the last two games. With him at the back Ukraine have only conceded one as he did not start against Spain. Expect Anatoly Tymoshchyuk of Shakthar Donesk to continue playing in a defence that has only conceded four goals in eight games, all of which came in that Spainish defeat. Full-back Andreii Nesmachniy may also play and could be the weak link in this defence due to his desire go push forward at every available opportunity.

In attack Shevchenko and Voronin are once more expected to start with the new Chelsea man looking to add to the two goals he has scored so far. Voronin meanwhile has played practically every minute for the Ukraine (he was substituted after seventy-nine in their 4-0 mauling of Saudi Arable) and has yet to score a goal for his country here. He only has four in thirty-five in what must be one of the poorest records in the whole competition. This is not for the want of trying however, with eleven shots to his name so far. He is tenacious however and the Bayern Leverkusen striker is the best hope the Ukrainians have of beating defenders. He links in well with Shevchenko and is a major part of their team.

Where many teams may have taken little, the Ukrainians have taken confidence and determination from their opening 4-0 defeat at the hands of Spain. It is this that they believe has got them through to this encounter with the Swiss and it was what they believe will see them through to the last eight. Even if it doesn't they have still achieved a lot for their debut performance. The Swiss meanwhile are looking to the form of Frei and goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler to keep their World Cup alive after sterling performances by both. This game is too close to call however and it may be whoever takes that one opportunity will secure a passage into the next round for their country.

Schevchenko is 13/8 to score at anytime with Coral. Switzerland are 7/5 to beat Ukraine in 90 minutes with Coral and Hakan Yakin to score first and Switzerland to win 2-0 is a massive 50/1. Many more selections available at Coral.

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By Bettingzone.co.uk
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