Swizerland have not won two of their last three matches across all competitions, and it remains to be seen whether they can raise their performance levels vs Germany and grind out a positive result at home on Friday.
On the other hand, Germany are an excellent form right now. Die Mannschaft have won five successive matches. They have managed to keep a clean sheet in their last four outings as well. In addition, they have been excellent going forward, scoring 16 goals in their five most recent matches.
The visitors are in a red-hot form right now, and they could cause all sorts of problems for Switzerland. On paper, they are a better team, and it remains to be seen who comes out on top. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Switzerland have no major injury concerns heading into this game vs Germany on Friday. However, Murat Yakin has omitted a few players for this international break, with Christian Fassnacht the most notable absentee.
The hosts are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gregor Kobel in goal. Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji are certain to start as central defenders here. Silvan Widmer and Ricardo Rodriguez will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out defensively and hit Germany on the break.
As for the midfield unit, Granit Xhaka will start alongside Michel Aebischer in the middle of the park. They will look to add control and composure from the middle of the park. They will also look to protect the team defensively.
Ruben Vargas and Dan Ndoye will be expected to start on the flanks. They will look to create opportunities for striker Breel Embolo in the final third. Fabian Rieder will start in the number ten role and open up the German defence with his passing and vision.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Aebischer, Xhaka; Vargas, Rieder, Ndoye; Embolo
Unlike his counterpart in the opposing dugout, Julian Nagelsmann has a few injury concerns to worry about ahead of the trip to Basel. Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha, and Jamie Leweling have pulled out from the squad. Meanwhile, Jonathan Burkardt, Karim Adeyemi, and Ridle Baku are the most notable absentees for the away side.
Oliver Baumann will start in goal for Germany vs Switzerland, and they will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him on Friday. In the back four, Joshua Kimmich and David Raum will start in the wide areas. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. They will provide defensive cover and help out in the attack. Jonathan Tah will start alongside Nico Schlotterbeck at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Angelo Stiller will look to protect the back four and win the ball back for his team. Leon Goretzka will start alongside him, and he will look to add drive and physicality in the middle of the park.
Leroy Sane and Florian Wirtz will start on the flanks here. They will look to create opportunities for their teammates and look to get on the score sheet as well. Serge Gnabry will start in the attacking midfield role and look to link the midfield to the attack. Finally, Nick Woltemade will lead the line for Germany vs Switzerland on Friday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Stiller, Goretzka; Sane, Gnabry, Wirtz; Woltemade
The German international attacker is our key player to watch. Sane was excellent in the last outing against Slovakia back in November, and he will look to continue from where he left off. The experienced attacker will look to cement his place in the starting lineup for the upcoming World Cup, and he needs to continue performing at a high level.
Switzerland have looked vulnerable at the back at times, and Sane could cause all sorts of problems for them with his pace, flair, and technical ability. He will look to create opportunities for his teammates and get on the score sheet here.
Both teams will put up a strong performance here, and the game is likely to be close. However, Germany have more quality and depth in the squad, and they should be able to grind out a positive result.
Switzerland will look to make life difficult for the away side, but they are likely to come up short. Both teams will get on the score sheet here, but Germany should be able to grind out a narrow victory away from home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Julian Nagelsmann and his charges.
