Match Preview and Context

The 8th-round match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament between the national teams of Slovenia and Switzerland is scheduled for October 13 at the “Stožice” stadium in Ljubljana. This article provides a detailed preview, unique prediction, and statistical analysis for the Slovenia vs Switzerland encounter.

Slovenia’s Form and Recent Performance

Matjaž Kek’s squad played to a goalless draw away against Kosovo in their last fixture (0:0). This marked the first time in their previous six World Cup qualifiers that Slovenia managed to keep a clean sheet. Despite this, the Slovenians have secured only one victory in their last six matches in this tournament (with 3 draws and 2 defeats), though they have found the net in four of those games. The team currently occupies the 3rd position in Group B, trailing second-placed Kosovo by two points.

Key Slovenia Statistics

• At least three goals have been scored in 7 out of Slovenia’s last 8 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.
• When playing at home in this competition, the team has avoided defeat in 12 of their last 13 encounters (recording 8 wins and 4 draws).
• Slovenia has conceded goals in 5 of their most recent 7 World Cup qualifiers.

Slovenia’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-4-2)

Jan Oblak – Žan Karničnik, Jaka Bijol, David Brekalo, Erik Janža – Jon Gorenc Stanković, Tim Elšnik, Adam Gnezda-Čerin, Sandi Lovrič – Benjamin Šeško, Žan Vipotnik.

Switzerland’s Dominant Run

The Swiss team maintains a flawless record, leading Group B without dropping any points. In their most recent match, Murat Yakin’s side defeated Sweden 2-0 on the road. The national team is currently on a 13-match unbeaten streak in World Cup qualifiers (with 9 wins and 4 draws). Furthermore, they have kept a clean sheet in 11 of those matches. Switzerland’s impressive goal-scoring run in this tournament extends to 7 consecutive games.

Key Switzerland Statistics

• The national team has scored at least twice in 6 of their last 7 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.
• On the road in this tournament, the Swiss have emerged victorious in 10 of their last 13 matches (with 2 draws and 1 defeat).
• In their last 6 away World Cup qualifiers, the team has not conceded more than a single goal.

Switzerland’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-4-2)

Gregor Kobel – Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Silvan Widmer, Ricardo Rodríguez – Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler, Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder – Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye.

Referee for the Match

Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Referee’s Statistical Overview

Matches officiated – 19 (International matches, 2024/25 – 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 97;

Average yellow cards per match – 5.1;

Red cards shown – 9;

Average fouls per match – 21;

Penalties awarded – 37%.

Slovenia vs Switzerland Match Prediction

The Slovenians only managed to halt their 5-match streak of conceding goals in World Cup qualifiers during their recent encounter with the low-scoring Kosovo side. In the upcoming fixture, it appears highly improbable that they will be able to keep a clean sheet. Their opponents, Switzerland, are in superb form, and it’s worth noting that Slovenia last achieved back-to-back clean sheets in World Cup qualifiers way back in 2016.

Murat Yakin’s team has been consistently outperforming their adversaries. In this qualification campaign, the squad has secured three consecutive victories, demonstrating impressive offensive capabilities. The national team has already netted 9 goals, and their scoring run in World Cup qualifiers now spans 7 matches, with Switzerland registering at least two goals in 6 of those encounters.

In the first leg, the Swiss secured a decisive 3-0 victory. The visitors are expected to claim points in what is likely to be another high-scoring match. My prediction: “Switzerland not to lose and Total Goals Over 1.5” with odds of 1.52.

Author: Aleksey Tarabrin