Spain vs Switzerland - Preview

Spain
v
Switzerland




Group H, 14:00 GMT, June 16, 2010
Durban Stadium, Durban, South Africa

Spain have lost just one game in their last 48 - the Confederations Cup semi-final against USA - and booked their place in South Africa by winning all ten qualifying games with a brand of football so breath-taking that it has been labelled "art". 


Switzerland have never won a game against Spain, losing 15 of their previous 18 meetings, and this is arguably the best La Furia Roja side there has ever been.




Spain player in focus: David Silva. An outstanding player in his own right, Silva has been overshadowed by the exploits of Barcelona duo Xavi and Iniesta in midfield, but the Valencia star scored a wonder goal in Spain's 6-0 demolition of Poland in their final warm-up game and will be hoping to maintain that form in South Africa. He is almost certainly on the move after the World Cup so the eyes of potential suitors will be on him.

Switzerland player in focus: Blaise Nkufo. This Congo-born striker will be buoyed by his unexpected title success with Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente this season and, at 35, the veteran has plenty of experience to call on to try and ruffle the feathers of Spain centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. He finished the qualifying campaign as Switzerland's top scorer, with five goals, and will head to new club Seattle Sounders as a hero if he can make his mark.

Key battle: David Villa v Philipe Senderos. Barcelona, who know a thing or two about decent strikers, have just spent £34 million to sign Villa, who smashed in 21 Primera Liga goals this season, from Valencia. He finished Euro 2008 as the tournament's top scorer and after netting seven times in qualifying he will have his eyes on the Golden Boot in South Africa. Hoping to stop one of Europe's most fearsome strikers is new Fulham defender Senderos. Unfortunately for Switzerland the centre back has hardly kicked a ball this season and spent the second half of the Premier League campaign on loan at Everton, watching from the stands.

Trivia: Switzerland were surprise winners of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria but none of the triumphant starlets have made it into Hitzfeld's World Cup squad.

Stats: Spain have won their last seven group games at the World Cup. Switzerland's five-game winning streak in qualifying was the longest in their history during World Cup qualifying.

Odds: Spain (1.25), the draw (5.50), Switzerland (13.00) with Bet365. The odds on Spain to win are terrible, but David Villa to score anytime and Spain to win 4-0 offers 16.00.

Prediction: Spain are superior in every department and if La Furia Roja don't win this game it will be the shock of the World Cup.