Qatar vs Switzerland Prediction: Xhaka to deliver for the Nati again

2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar get their 2026 campaign underway on Saturday against Switzerland in Group B (12pm local/8pm BST, ITV1) at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The Maroon One are led by former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui.

The Swiss have reached the round of 16 at the past three editions, and they will look to continue this trend in North America. Read on for my Qatar vs Switzerland predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Akram Afif is tipped to be Qatar's best player at the tournament, so he looks assured of a place in their first starting line-up on Saturday. He may be supported by Yousuf Abdelrazzaq and Edmilson Junior.

The guaranteed name on the Switzerland team sheet is expected to be captain Granit Xhaka, who will be the person his teammates look to for guidance in North America.

Zeki Amdouni started the recent friendly against Australia and despite missing much of the season with Burnley, he could be in line to lead the line against Qatar.

Boss Murat Yakin may also consider Breel Embolo to spearhead the attack, while Noah Okafor will be keen to play a supporting role.

Qatar vs Switzerland Odds

Switzerland have lost just one of their last nine competitive games and they are deemed the heavy favourites here at 2/9.

Two of the Nati's past three friendlies ended level, with the draw priced at 5/1.

Qatar are a 12/1 shot to come away with the three points, which adds up considering they've lost four of their previous six fixtures.

Swiss attacker Okafor scored eight goals in the Premier League last season with Leeds United, and he is a 6/4 bet to score anytime on Saturday.

Sub Switch - Pre-match Bet Builder and Single bets on qualifying Player selections.

To Win To Nil - Switzerland @ 8/11

If you'll have read my Group B preview, you'll know that I'm confident that Switzerland will come out on top in this group. I believe they can get off to a flying start against Qatar, who are not in the best of form ahead of this opener.

The Maroon One have lost four from six, while they also lost all three of their three group fixtures on home soil four years ago. Two of them matches saw Qatar fail to find the net, and I think this will be the case against a well-disciplined Switzerland side.

Murat Yakin's men are well-established on the international stage and I think their experience will be too much for Qatar to handle. Whether they have it in them to win by a considerable margin remains to be seen, but I think they are going to keep a clean sheet on Saturday.

Player To Score Or Assist (Sub Switch) - Granit Xhaka @ 29/20

Xhaka is going to be at the very heart of everything that Switzerland achieve in the coming weeks. He's the latest example of a player who has improved as he's aged. The midfielder has just led Sunderland to the UEFA Europa League in the Black Cats' first season back in the Premier League, so he can work his magic at the World Cup.

He's a natural leader and as I named him as the Nati's key player going to the World Cup, I think he can have a big impact in this game. I fancy him to have a goal contribution on Saturday because he has scored or assisted in each of his previous three appearances for his country.

Xhaka is 29/20 (implied probability of 40.8%) to score or assist against Qatar.