Young Boys vs Zurich Prediction: Defending champions’ poor start to continue

As far as beginnings to title defences go, Young Boys have had a poor one in the Swiss Super League so far. Three matches, three defeats. They will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and remove themselves from the bottom of the table when they host Zurich on Sunday (15:30).

The visitors have in contrast had a perfect start to the campaign, winning both of their opening two matches, and they will be looking to profit off of Young Boys' surprising start. Read on for my Young Boys vs Zurich prediction, including match odds and team news.

Young Boys vs Zurich Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Young Boys vs Zurich page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Young Boys are 1/1 to get their first win of the campaign, which gives them a 50% chance. Zurich are priced at 21/10, giving them an implied probability of 32.3%.  The draw is available at 5/2 (28.6%).

Both teams to score can be backed at 1/2 and over 2.5 goals is on offer at 8/15.

Football Odds

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without Alexandre Jankewitz, Facinet Conte, Loris Benito, Mohamed Ali Camara and Saidy Janko this weekend due to injury.

Defender Lewis Blum is also a doubt after he was forced off in the 58th minute of their last outing, which could see Zachary Athekame come into the side as his replacement.

Zurich are only expected to be missing Rodrigo Conceicao for this clash, as the midfielder continues his recovery from a muscle problem that he picked up at the back end of last season.

After scoring twice in Super League already this season, forward Juan Jose Perea could be in line to start alongside Mounir Chouiar and Armstrong Oko-Flex in an attacking trio.

Zurich to win @ 21/10

Zurich finished last season strongly and that momentum has carried through to the beginning of 2024/25. They have won seven of their last eight competitive fixtures, with their last defeat coming at the hands of their opponents in May.

Having picked up two wins from two, I fancy them to continue their winning run, especially when they are coming up against the worst-performing team in the division at this moment in time. Young Boys are not looking like reigning champions, despite showing slow signs of improvement in each passing game.

However, it hasn't been enough for them to put any points on the board so far, and they are up against one of the form sides in Super League. Zurich are well-drilled and look sharp when going forward, which does not bode well for a Young Boys back line that has conceded nine goals already, averaging at three per game.

Although it feels as though the title holders' form will soon correct itself, I can't see it happening this weekend and I think things will only get worse before they get better.

Over 3.5 goals @ 11/8

With Young Boys' defensive frailties, I think backing over 3.5 goals could be a sensible selection here. They face a team that have amassed six goals already this term, and despite not picking up a point, the hosts have scored on two occasions.

It is worth noting that over 3.5 goals has already landed in two of their matches so far, in 4-0 and 3-1 defeats to St. Gallen and Servette respectively. Zurich's last encounter also produced over four goals, as they defeated Winterthur 4-2 on home soil.

The evidence points to there being no shortage of goals this weekend, and I think these two sides can deliver.

Offers

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