As opening World Cup clashes go, they don't come more crucial than this.
Switzerland and Cameroon know a winning start is vital in a very competitive Group G at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
With Brazil and Serbia matching up in the other clash of this group, a loss for either of these sides could threaten to end their campaign early.
They enter the tournament in differing form. Although the Swiss lost their World Cup warmup to Ghana, they do come in on the back of three successive competitive-match wins, with two of those coming against top-10 FIFA ranked nations.
Murat Yakin's side beat Portugal 1-0 in June, before winning 2-1 away in Spain in September in the UEFA Nations League.
The same can't be said for Cameroon, who enter the action in Qatar on the back of four winless international outings, the last two of which saw them draw 1-1, with both Jamaica and Panama in underwhelming pre-tournament friendlies.
As such, the European side are much fancied by the bookmakers, though a potential Cameroon mini-shock wouldn't completely surprise.
MORE: Follow all 2022 FIFA World Cup daily picks & predictions from The Sporting News here
Switzerland vs. Cameroon odds
The form tells its own tale, and the bookmakers are very much backing a win for the Swiss in their opening Group G match.
When you consider that they're just one of three European sides — along with France and Belgium — to have made the knockout stages of their last four major tournaments, they seem a solid bet here.
At +120, the over 2.5 goals scored could offer great value in this match. Despite the bookies expecting a low scoring tie, Switzerland cleared 2.5 match goals in three of their five matches at Euro 2020, whilst three of Cameroon's six 2021 AFCON clashes also cleared that threshold.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and LadBrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | LadBrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland win | -130 | 1.74 | 8/11 | 8/11 |
| Draw | +250 | 3.42 | 5/2 | 12/5 |
| Cameroon win | +380 | 4.80 | 17/4 | 21/5 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +110 / -155 | 2.03 / 1.62 | 11/10, 4/6 | 11/10, 4/6 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +120 / -165 | 2.23 / 1.61 | 5/4, 4/7 | 5/4, 4/7 |
| Switzerland -0.5 | -140 | 1.73 | — | — |
| Cameroon +0.5 | +100 | 2.07 | — | — |
Switzerland vs. Cameroon: 3 things to know
Switzerland vs. Cameroon team news
Unusual for this World Cup, both teams enter this matchup without too many injury concerns.
Switzerland's first-choice goalkeeper Yann Sommer suffered an ankle injury in early October but he played the full 90 minutes in the recent friendly defeat to Ghana. Meanwhile, Striker Haris Seferovic, who has proved key in recent years for his national side, has struggled for form at club level this season and may have to settle for a place on the bench in their opener.
Cameroon arrived in Qatar without any notable injuries and have so far remained unscathed during their training sessions. For them, Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting could be key, especially as he's netted 11 goals in 16 competitive appearances for the German giants this campaign.
Switzerland vs. Cameroon key stats
- This will be the first-ever meeting between Switzerland and Cameroon.
- Switzerland will face African opposition for only the second time at the World Cup. Their previous match saw them beat Togo 2-0 in 2006.
- Cameroon hold the distinction of being the African team who have qualified for the World Cup on the most occasions (8). That said, seven of those eight appearances have ended with an exit from the group stage.
Switzerland vs. Cameroon match facts
- Date: Thursday, November 24
- Kickoff Time: 5:00 am ET / 10:00 am GMT / 21:00 pm AEDT
- Location: Al Janoub Stadium
- Official: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
Switzerland vs. Cameroon prediction
Given that Switzerland are unbeaten in their previous five opening World Cup fixtures since 2002, which includes a win against Spain and impressive draws against France and Brazil, we expect them to extend that run here.
Cameroon will prove tough opposition with their physicality and attacking power, but the Swiss should have enough experience in their squad to deal with the African side in this Group G opener.
- Moneyline lean: Switzerland to win (-130)
- Against the spread lean: Draw (+250)
- Score prediction: 2-1 Switzerland
MORE: World Cup 2022 Group G: Match schedule, fixtures, times and dates
Switzerland vs. Cameroon: best bets & expert analysis
We're expecting a close match here but one that could give us a number of goals. Switzerland have managed to keep just one clean sheets across their prior nine international outings for a start, whilst Cameroon have kept just one in their last six.
That points towards two leaky defences, something that's unlikely to change in this World Cup opener given the extra pressure on both sets of players.
Switzerland vs. Cameroon best bet
- Pick: Both teams to score
- Odds: +110 (BetMGM)
Whilst we're backing Switzerland for the win, keeping a clean sheet will prove tough against this attack-heavy Cameroon side.
Vincent Aboubakar is their most likely threat, and with one more goal he'd move into third spot on Cameroon’s all-time scoring list. Only Samuel Eto'o (56) and Roger Milla (43) have more than his 33 strikes.
Switzerland vs. Cameroon flier bet
- Pick: Xhaka to score and Switzerland to win
- Odds: 6/1 (SkyBet)
Even though his return of 12 goals in 107 previous caps for Switzerland might not exactly set the world on fire, Granit Xhaka has been in much better goalscoring form for club side Arsenal this campaign.
Through 20 matches with the Gunners, he's found the net on four occasions this season from midfield.
It's worth the additional Swiss win on the end given it adds value, and the fact that Switzerland have won 10 of 12 internationals in which Xhaka has found the net for them.
