Spain vs Switzerland Prediction 18.11.2024 | Nations League

• Competition: UEFA Nations League
• Date: 18th November 2024
• Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
• Venue: Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

We are heading into the final round of the Nations League group stage. As for Spain and Switzerland, this match carries no significance in terms of results. The reigning European champions have already secured the top spot in their group and a direct ticket to the quarterfinals. They achieved this on Friday by defeating Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen.

Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, fielded a mixed lineup in that game, leaving out some key players, but that didn’t stop his team from showcasing their quality and earning a fourth consecutive Nations League victory. The goals came from two players who were substitutes during the summer’s European Championship triumph: Mikel Oyarzabal and Ayoze Pérez.

On the other hand, Switzerland failed to secure a win against Serbia at home, which confirmed their last-place finish in the group this season. For most of the match, Switzerland was the better and more dominant side, and it seemed like only a matter of time before they broke through their opponent's defense. Zeki Amdouni scored a stunning goal in the 78th minute to give his team the lead, setting the stage for a comfortable conclusion to the match. However, just minutes before the final whistle, a defensive lapse following a corner allowed Serbia to counterattack swiftly and shock Murat Yakin's squad with an equalizer. That goal sealed Switzerland's fate, relegating them to League B for the next edition of the Nations League.

Spain vs Switzerland pick: SPAIN TO WIN

There’s not much need to elaborate on the reasoning behind this pick. Spain, in a celebratory mood, is hosting this match in Tenerife. While it’s expected that Luis de la Fuente will rotate heavily and give opportunities to players with less playing time, that won’t be an issue, as Spain boasts a squad of 20 world-class players. Over their last 20 competitive matches across all competitions, Spain has achieved an astonishing 19 wins, showcasing the level of "monster" their opponents are facing.

In stark contrast, the atmosphere in Switzerland’s camp couldn’t be more different. Following their elimination from the tournament, the motivation of their players is questionable. To make matters worse, their exit came at the hands of their fierce rivals, Serbia, with whom they’ve had significant clashes in major competitions in recent years. A Spain victory seems inevitable.