Match 10 - Switzerland v Turkey / Editor / 10 June 2008 / Leave a comment

Switzerland have never trailed at the break in 12 competitive home games under Kobi Kuhn (an even split of HT wins and HT draws) with five HT draws in their last six. That run stretches back further, with a W9-D11-L0 HT home record since 1998.

Half-Time

Overall under Kuhn, Switzerland have been behind at half-time in just 4/31 competitive games (in the other 27 games, they have had 14 HT draws and 13 HT wins). At major tournaments since 1994, their HT record is W2-D8-L5.

Turkey are W13-D21-L7 (51% HT draw) in matches outside Turkey since the start of Euro 2000 qualifying and the HT draw rate is even higher against teams ranked above them (W2-D6-L1). At major tournaments since 1996, Turkey are W5-D9-L1 at HT.

The HT draw [2.02] looks to be pitched about right based on the overall figures from both sides that show around a 50% HT draw rate, though in some form lines those figures are higher and it would be difficult to pick a HT leader given that both teams have proved very difficult to best in the first half.

HT/FT

In 20 competitive home games since 1998, Switzerland have had eight W-W (40%) and five (20%) D-D. At major tournaments since 1994, Switzerland's most common HT/FT outcomes have been D-D and L-L (both 4/15).

In competitive matches outside Turkey since the start of Euro 2000 qualifying, Turkey's most common outcomes have been W-W (12/41), D-D (nine) and D-W (eight). Of their six HT draws from nine matches against teams ranked above them in that period, Turkey have yet to convert one into a FT win (four D-D, two D-L) - their only win in that category came in the one game where they led at HT.

With the HT draw strongly indicated, the D-D [5.1] has to come under consideration as that is the predominant outcome for both teams when they are level at HT.

Switzerland clean sheet

At major tournaments since 1994, Switzerland have kept a clean sheet in 5/15 games, though all five were in the last eight games. Switzerland have conceded in 8/12 competitive home games under Kobi Kuhn, including 4/6 against teams ranked in the top 20.

In nine games outside Turkey against a team ranked above them, Turkey have scored in 5/9 since the start of Euro 2000 qualifying.

Switzerland are more likely to concede than to keep a clean sheet, though the odds on them not to keep a clean sheet [1.62] look short enough, especially in view of the fact that they beat Turkey 2-0 in the home leg of their 2006 World Cup qualifying playoff.

Turkey clean sheet

In competitive matches outside Turkey since the start of Euro 2000 qualifying, Turkey have kept a clean sheet in almost half of their games (18/41) but they have kept only one clean sheet in their last eight, and in nine games outside Turkey against a team ranked above them, Turkey have conceded in 6/9 since the start of Euro 2000 qualifying.

Switzerland's 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic in their opening game was their first failure to score in 12 competitive home games under Kobi Kuhn, though now they will have to cope without top striker Alexander Frei.

Turkey's recent difficulty keeping a clean sheet is a negative, though that is reflected in the odds for them not to keep a clean sheet [1.41].

About the SOS Rankings

SOS consider FIFA's rankings unreliable, as they are based upon criteria clearly weighted to favour countries playing in weaker regional areas. SOS have therefore developed their own system of international football rankings, to give a more accurate guide of teams' relative strengths - and provide a more valid basis for their analysis.

The SOS rankings are based on a sample universe of more than 25,000 international matches, are updated every month, and attach a much greater weighting to both the relative importance of matches (friendly, competitive, major tournament) - as well as the relative strength of opposition and overall match supremacy. Allowance is also made for the game venue, not just in terms of simple home, away or neutral - but also in relation to the country's home continent. Points gained decay over a period of four years, the natural cycle of international football.

For the full SOS Rankings, click here, where you can also view previews for all matches.

All analysis, unless where noted, is based on competitive internationals since the start of the 1998 World Cup Finals.

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