Chile vs Switzerland – Irresistible force will bypass immovable object

Group H’s two winning teams, Chile and Switzerland, go head to head with each other at 3pm, each looking to secure a place in the round of 16.

Both the South Americans (6/5 to win) and the Europeans (12/5) won their opening matches 1-0, but in distinctly different ways.

While Marcelo Bielsa’s side won acclaim for the abandon with which they attacked Honduras, Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men drew
criticism for their highly defensive approach, with Johan Cruyff yesterday saying: “It isn’t illegal the way Switzerland play but it is ugly, sterile and boring.”

While the Swiss may feel safer playing more expansively against a less talented team, such is Chile’s wont to go forward it is likely the match will follow a similar pattern to the two Europeans’ clash.

Indeed Chile produced some of the best football of the opening games and Switzerland would do well not to underestimate them.

Alexis Sanchez was the star of the show for the South Americans and his endless running demonstrated he has the legs to keep up such displays throughout the tournament. He’s 11/8 to score at any time here.

Humberto Suazo is expected to return from injury and lead a three-man attack as he did during qualification, when he plundered a table-topping ten goals. He looks a good bet at 5/1 to score first.

Switzerland will be boosted by the return of striker and captain Alexander Frei and midfielder Valon Behrami, who both missed the opener with injury.

Those additions will make the Swiss more forward-thinking and Frei could be a smart bet to score at any time (5/2), he managed to net twice at the last World Cup.

Hitzfeld will be without defender Philippe Senderos, though, who injured his right ankle against Spain. The Swiss’s chances of keeping another clean sheet, at 9/4, will take a hit.

This game should be decided by fine moments and a 1-0 Chile win looks likeliest at 5/1. Banking on Draw/Chile in the half-time/full-time (4/1) and under 2.5 goals in total (8/15) could prove worthwhile.

Can Switzerland do it again? They are 6/1 to win 1-0. See the full Chile v Switzerland match betting market.