The team will look to maintain their lead at the top of the group stage when they travel to face Kosovo in a UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Group I match on Saturday. The hosts are yet to taste defeat in their first four matches, while the visitors are still looking for their first win.
Kosovo started their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in a slow fashion as they lost an unfortunate semi-final against North Macedonia in their first ever Euro qualifier, taking just three points from their first four matches.
They drew three consecutive Group I matches against Israel, Andorra and Romania, however in their most recent qualifier they ended their run of five consecutive draws with a 2-1 defeat away to Belarus. They dominated the game but Belarus scored twice in quick succession in a three-minute spell in the second half to secure the three points.
Kosovo, ranked 109th in the world, will face their toughest test yet when they take on Switzerland in a Group I match on Saturday. Despite a 1-1 draw in their only meeting with Switzerland in March 2022, they have fared better at home in recent months, losing just one of their eight international matches at home since the start of 2022, while they have won just one away match in the same period.
Intent on reaching their third consecutive Europa League, Switzerland currently sit at the top of Group I, with 10 points from four matches. They won their first three qualifiers against Belarus, Israel and Andorra by a combined score of 10-1, but they ended their all-conquering record in Group I with a 2-2 draw against Romania in a home game in June.
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin said his side now face "two decisive matches" and that they must "stay 100% focused" to avoid any slip-ups and book their place in the final in Germany. Switzerland, ranked 13th in FIFA's world rankings, have lost just two of their last 10 away games in Euro qualifying and are expected to take all six points from their upcoming matches against Kosovo and Andorra.
For this match prediction, I see Switzerland winning 2-0. Although Kosovo have shown in their Group I matches that they can trouble their opponents, they will also be hoping to find a way to get their first win of the qualifiers on Saturday. However, we expect Switzerland to win as they have a stronger squad on paper and should be capable of breaking down Kosovo's defense.
