TEAM NEWS
Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner are available for Switzerland after avoiding bans for a ‘double-headed eagle gesture’ during their crucial victory over Serbia.
The trio were instead fined by Fifa for “unsporting behaviour” following their controversial celebrations.
Costa Rica saw their resistance broken in the 91st minute in a 2-0 defeat against Brazil last time out. Oscar Ramirez’ side are yet to earn a point or score in Group E.
MATCH PREVIEW
Switzerland took a huge step towards securing last-16 qualification courtesy of Shaqiri’s 90th-minute winner against Serbia, leaving Vladimir Petkovic’s side only requiring one point from their final match to progress.
Largely outplayed by their opponents in the first-half, the Swiss rallied as Xhaka’s powerful strike cancelled out Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opener to set up a thrilling finish.
However, in the days since that win in Kaliningrad the team have been made to sweat over Fifa’s verdict on whether Xhaka, Shaqiri and Lichtsteiner would receive two-match bans.
With that threat lifted, focus returns to qualifying from, or potentially winning, Group E.
Costa Rica were the surprise package in Brazil four years ago, reaching the quarter-finals, but have fallen short in Russia and are unable to qualify,
A narrow opening defeat to Serbia, followed by two injury-time goals for Brazil last time out have left Los Ticos playing for pride in Nizhny Novgorod.
Having only once failed to take a point in three group games at a World Cup in 2006, the Costa Ricans could have a big say in who progresses from Group E.
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Switzerland have impressed me so far with the way they kept Brazil quiet and then fought back to beat Serbia, but I am not surprised that they are doing well.
They are a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, they are extremely well-coached and they always have a real go too. They will be too strong for Costa Rica.
Prediction: 1-0
Source: BBC News
