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FIFA World Cup 2014: Honduras vs Switzerland Preview

Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets.


Honduras vs Switzerland | Wednesday 25 June | Arena Amazonia, Manaus | 22:00

Switzerland face Honduras in a game of various permutations in a complicated group. France have dominated the group thus far and may well lose some intensity in their final game against Ecuador, meaning that Switzerland would have to beat Honduras to qualify. Honduras’ possibility of qualification rests upon a handsome French win coupled with their unlikely victory. This match should in theory produce a rousing advertisement for attacking football, especially when you look at the defensive frailties in both sides.

To Win (90mins)
Honduras 62/10
Draw 33/10
Switzerland 9/20

Honduras
The Honduran side will still be rattled by the absence of suspended Wilson Palacios following his red card in the first game against France. Los Catrachos will have needed every sinew of the burly midfielder to be fully operational if their slim possibilities of going through had any hope of coming to fruition. Carlo Costly’s goal against Ecuador sent a nation into delirium, only for the same old lack of imagination and defensive porosity to take hold.

Beckeles looked all at sea against Jefferson Montero of Ecuador and will need to be wary of the threat posed by both Shaqiri and Mehmedi. Najar and Garcia will once again provide the width in midfield while Roger Espinoza holds down the middle of the park. Jerry Bengston and Costly will try ably but I can’t see this side preventing the Swiss from exacting some cosmic revenge against the game of football.

Switzerland 
Ottmar Hitzfeld will have the experience to know that some nights are just destined to be against you. The French juggernaut was in explosive form against La Nati, showing their neighbours absolutely no mercy. The truth is: Switzerland were actually rather dangerous on attack. They were just torn apart by an inspired French side. I actually don’t think that they are going to have to change too much to ensure progression into the next round of the competition. The Honduran side are physically tough, as France will testify, but they are hardly the free-flowing entity of Les Bleus.

Van Bergen has been sent home after fracturing his eye socket against France, which spells some problematic issues for the Swiss. The former Arsenal pair of Senderos and Djourou were diabolical in moments, lacking both the intelligence and speed to foil any attack. Inler and Behrami will have to continue in midfield while Shaqiri and Mehmedi threatened the French defence enough to warrant inclusion. Given the completely unpredictable nature of this tournament, Switzerland must go for the win in the knowledge that Ecuador have a better goal difference should they both draw. Dzemat may come in for the hero of the first round – Seferovic – as the Swiss aim to bounce back in fine style.

VERDICT: Switzerland (-1) 11/10
The Swiss side have an exciting footballing identity and a strong, experienced coach behind them. Hitzfeld should be able to keep everything in perspective and re-energise his talented group of players. Honduras, on the other hand, just don’t have the street smarts to see them through to the next round, and may revert to more sinister tactics should things go against them. In the interest of value, take the Swiss on the goal handicap.

The man knows his football, but even he gets it wrong from time to time. Feel free to share your view below.

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