With ten games to go, the Swiss title race is far from over.
Four out of the five home teams – FC Luzern being the exception – picked up wins in round 26, some more convincing than others. BSC Young Boys returned to the top of the table on goal difference, as their 6-0 demolition of Neuchâtel Xamax gave them a valuable yet slender lead.
FC Basel’s win over Sion just about keeps them in the title race, but it is a matter of goal difference separating sides at either end of the table. YB and St. Gallen are picking up identical results every single week, while there is still no advantage at the bottom for Xamax or Thun.
Ahead of the second midweek round since the restart, here is your full preview for round 27 of the Swiss Super League.
Servette FC vs BSC Young Boys
Tuesday 30th June, 20:30 CEST
Stade de Genève, Geneva
While Servette remain fourth in the league, their recent form has been underwhelming. The Genevan club have drawn four consecutive games, the first time that has happened in 20 years. With their last home win coming in February before the suspension, they need to return to winning ways as soon as possible.
Young Boys recorded their biggest win of the season last Saturday, with goals from Jean-Pierre Nsame, Michel Aebischer, Christian Fassnacht, Vincent Sierro and Meschack Elia sealing a 6-0 demolition. Now firmly back on top for the first time since January, YB will be looking to make it three wins in four.
Servette were victorious last time out with a 3-0 win, but their current form has been concerning. With YB back in business and coming off the back of a huge statement win, they are likely to put in another trademark performance in Geneva.
Prediction: Servette FC 1-4 BSC Young Boys
FC Lugano vs FC Basel
(Nischal’s Blog)
Wednesday 1st July, 18:15 CEST
Stadio Cornaredo, Lugano
Lugano saw their run of four games unbeaten brought to an end last weekend, narrowly losing to FC Zürich at the Letzigrund. Despite being victorious in their last home game against Luzern, that was only their third win all season at the Cornaredo, yet to even enter double scoring figures.
Although their form remains rocky, FC Basel look like they are back, following consecutive victories over relegation battlers Neuchâtel Xamax and Sion. It was the Bebbi’s first run of back to back wins since December, showing just how challenging a season it has been for Marcel Koller.
Basel have not pulled off three straight wins since the start of the season in August, but the way they are playing now suggests they could do it again. The returns of Raoul Petretta and Valentin Stocker have been vital, and FCB should earn yet another victory in their strong run of form.
Prediction: FC Lugano 0-2 FC Basel
FC Thun vs FC Zürich
(Nischal’s Blog)
Wednesday 1st July, 20:30 CEST
Stockhorn Arena, Thun
Could Thun make it three games unbeaten at the Stockhorn Arena? They fell just short of a huge result against St. Gallen last week, falling to a 3-2 loss in north Switzerland. FCT remain bottom of the pile on goal difference, but the deficit was massively reduced after Xamax were smashed at the hands of YB.
Zürich travel to Thun off the back of a superb run of results, with back to back wins for the first time in seven months. FCZ could really push for a European spot with another unbeaten run, but relegation battling Thun could prove a tricky test on Wednesday.
This is a winnable game for Thun, and in the fight for survival these are the games that must be won. The return of home fans could be massive for the hosts, and while Zürich are in superb form, they are capable of holding them off and earning a result.
Prediction: FC Thun 1-1 FC Zürich
Neuchâtel Xamax vs St. Gallen
(Nischal’s Blog)
Wednesday 1st July, 20:30 CEST
Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel Xamax have never needed a bigger reaction, the 6-0 demolition a huge blow to their survival hopes. They look far from the side who valiantly beat Thun upon the season’s return, having since losing two straight games with an aggregate score of 8-1.
Although they have been knocked off their perch, St. Gallen are still on a roll. They have the best away record in the league, and with just one away defeat in five games on the road, Die Espen go into Wednesday’s clash with full confidence.
Xamax simply have to win, with the pressure on to pick up points. But St. Gallen have been so strong in recent weeks, and with the extra motivation to dethrone YB from the top spot, they should earn another big three points in the race for the Meisterschaft.
Prediction: Neuchâtel Xamax 1-2 St. Gallen
FC Sion vs FC Luzern
Thursday 2nd July, 20:30 CEST
Stade Tourbillon, Sion
The final match of round 27 is an enticing clash at the Tourbillon, as FC Sion host FC Luzern on Thursday. Sion are now ten games without a win and sitting two points off relegation, one of the worst runs of form in the entire league. With St. Gallen and Basel coming up, the time to turn their rut around has never been more urgent.
Luzern clawed their way back from 2-0 down to earn a draw against Servette, with Francesco Margiotta’s brace stealing a point at the Swissporarena. Patchy form means they have not picked up consecutive wins since February, but they can be dangerous going forward.
Sion cannot afford to keep losing, but they are a club on their knees staring the Challenge League in the face. This should be a routine win for Luzern on the road, with Margiotta likely to star alongside Lorik Emini and Ryder Matos in an important clash for FCL.
Prediction: FC Sion 0-1 FC Luzern
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