Scotland v Switzerland: Pocognoli's men to cause a Swiss miss

Pocognoli encouraged by solid start

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Tuesday 29 September, 19:45
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The early moments of Sebastien Pocognoli's reign as Scotland boss were, to say the least, a bit jittery. A trip to Slovenia featured some threats in the opening exchanges, as the hosts had an early goal ruled out for offside and clipped the post with a header from a set piece.

However, Scotland grew into the game impressively, and dominated the second half. Midfielder Billy Gilmour took up some excellent positions, debutant striker Robbie Ure looked really sharp, and Pocognoli's men made enough chances to win the game. Indeed, midfielder Lewis Ferguson felt Scotland could and maybe should have scored at least twice.

Scotland are still without star man Scott McTominay because of a minor heart issue, while strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams are both injured. That gives the likes of Ure, Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie the chance to stake a claim.

Swiss without some key figures

After reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup and pushing Argentina all the way in the last eight, the mood should be buoyant in the Switzerland camp. However, there have been some negative stories since the tournament which have soured things.

Skipper and national team legend Granit Xhaka has blotted his copybook by admitting to receiving a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate back in 2022. He says he had serious doubts about the vaccine at the time, and admits he made a mistake, and he won't be involved in the Nations League games in this international window. It's now emerged that striker Breel Embolo is out of the squad for the same reason.

Leeds United forward Noah Okafor has announced he won't play for Switzerland again while Murat Yakin remains as coach, stating that there was a breach of trust during the World Cup. However, without all these players Switzerland still managed to win their opener 3-0 at North Macedonia. Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni scored twice.

Scotland v Switzerland Tip 1 - Scots can keep Swiss at bay

There was enough in Scotland's second-half performance against Slovenia to make me think that Pocognoli's side can cause the depleted Swiss a few problems here. Our friends at Opta tell us that Switzerland have won just two of their last six meetings with Scotland, including a 1-1 draw at Euro 2024.

Although Scotland have failed to score in their last three internationals (they haven't drawn four blanks in a row since 1971), I was impressed by the creativity on show in Slovenia, with Gilmour, John McGinn and the strikers all dovetailing nicely.

Switzerland feel too short to me here at 1.9210/11, so let's lay them. An alternative for Betfair Sportsbook customers is to back Scotland/the draw on the Double Chance market at 10/111.91.

Scotland v Switzerland Tip 2 - Manzambi on the double

I'll also offer up a Johan Manzambi double on the Sportsbook. The Aston Villa midfielder was the most fouled player in the Bundesliga last season with Freiburg, and he has been fouled twice in his last two appearances for club and country.

If we back him to have a shot on target (he has hit the target in his last three appearances for Villa and Switzerland) and back him to be fouled twice, that gives us a Bet Builder at 21/202.05.

Now read Paul Higham's Nations League tipsheet for Tuesday's games!