Switzerland vs Canada Prediction: Les Rouges to get a positive result for top spot

Switzerland and Canada are the two unbeaten sides in Group B at the FIFA World Cup. They meet in Vancouver on Wednesday (1pm local/8pm BST, ITV1/STV) for their final game of the first round, in what is a straight shoot-out for top spot.

If Canada wish to maintain their home advantage in the knockout stage, they'll need to win Group B. Read on for my Switzerland vs Canada predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

After coming on from the bench to score a record-breaking brace against Bosnia-Herzegovina, 20-year-old Johan Manzambi could start for Switzerland on Wednesday. He's the youngest player to score twice in the same game in World Cup history.

Ruben Vargas was demoted last time out but came off the bench to find the net. He may have done enough to reclaim his place in the side. Boss Murat Yakin might consider resting Denis Zakaria and Nico Elvedi as both have been booked and are at risk of suspension.

Derek Cornelius and Luc de Fougerolles are in a similar boat for Canada, so their involvement is in doubt.

Midfielder Ismael Kone will play no further part in the tournament due to a broken leg suffered against Qatar. Nathan Saliba replaced him in that match and he should come into the starting XI on Wednesday.

Alphonso Davies' status is still unclear as Les Rouges' poster boy is yet to make his first appearance in North America this summer.

Switzerland vs Canada Odds

Switzerland have won five of their last eight competitive matches and Betfred has the Nati priced at 7/5 to defeat the co-hosts.

Both sides have experienced a draw in the tournament so far and the stalemate here can be backed at 11/5.

Canada are 21/10 to come out on top, as they did in their only previous encounter with Switzerland back in 2002.

Switzerland's Breel Embolo has two goal contributions across his two Group B appearances and he's 5/4 to score or assist on Wednesday.

Match Result - Draw @ 11/5

These two teams did well to win their second group games. Canada thumped Qatar in a six-goal routing, while a Bosnia red card gave Switzerland the confidence to go and defeat the Dragons comfortably.

Both camps ought to be feeling positive ahead of this decider and it should make for an enthralling contest in Vancouver. I'm not trying to be a 'Plain Jane' but I'm convinced this will end up being a draw.

I think they're quite evenly matched when it comes to personnel, so I'm predicting they'll cancel one another out. The stalemate is also tempting because it has been the outcome in four of Canada's six most recent matches, as well as four of Switzerland's last seven fixtures.

At 11/5 (implied probability of 31.3%), the draw looks value for punters.

Player 1+ Shots On Target (Sub Switch) - Nathan Saliba @ 6/4

After entering the fray in the 57th minute against Qatar, it didn't take Saliba long to get into the swing of things for Canada. He was impactful in the final third, registering three efforts on goal, one of which he scored from to increase Les Rouges' lead.

He's set to start against Switzerland in place of the injured Kone, and I can see him being just as adventurous as he was in the last match. I fancy him to have at least one shot on target on Wednesday.