Match 17 - Switzerland v Portugal / Editor / 14 June 2008 / Leave a comment

Half-Time

Switzerland have never trailed at the break in 13 competitive home games under Kobi Kuhn (seven HT wins, six HT draws) with five HT draws in their last seven. At major tournaments since 1994, their HT record is W3-D8-L5 - they have not trailed at HT in their last seven and have not conceded in the first half in their last six.

Switzerland have not been behind at the break in 21 competitive home games since 1998, with their most common outcomes W-W (8/21) and D-D (5/21). At major tournaments since 1994, Switzerland's most common HT/FT outcomes have been D-D and L-L (both 4/16).

Portugal have turned two HT draws into FT wins in this tournament, improving their record of D-W at major tournaments under Luiz Felipe Scolari to 4/7 after being level at HT. In 22 competitive games outside Portugal under Scolari, Portugal's most common HT/FT outcome has been W-W (seven), followed by D-W (five) and D-D (five). They have won on all five occasions when they have led at HT in major tournaments under Scolari.

Portugal's strongest figures are for the W-W, but the indicators for a HT draw point more towards a Portugal D-W at [6.8].

Switzerland clean sheet

Switzerland have conceded in 9/13 competitive home games under Kobi Kuhn, including 5/7 against teams ranked in the top 20. At major tournaments since 1994, Switzerland have kept a clean sheet in 5/16 games, though all five were in the last nine games.

Portugal have scored in 19/22 competitive games outside Portugal under Luiz Felipe Scolari, with two of the blanks coming against teams ranked in the top 10. At major tournaments under Scolari, they have scored in 12/15.

Switzerland are unlikely to shut Portugal out, though the Swiss not to keep a clean sheet [1.28] is predictably short.

Portugal clean sheet

Portugal have kept a clean sheet in 10/22 under Luiz Felipe Scolari outside Portugal, including five in eight games on neutral territory. At major tournaments under Scolari, they have kept a clean sheet in 7/15.

Switzerland have scored in 12/13 competitive home games under Kobi Kuhn (the only blank was against the Czech Republic in their opening game). At major tournaments since 1994, they have failed to score in 9/16.

Portugal's clean sheet record is not that strong and Switzerland's good scoring record at home indicates that they are capable of getting on the scoresheet, though Portugal not to keep a clean sheet [1.43] is short enough.

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,

href="https://www.statsonsport.com/en/1/fbeuro08rankings.mxs">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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