Slovenia vs Switzerland: UEFA World Cup qualifiers – Pick & Prediction October 13, 2025
Switzerland will be eager to maintain their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign when they travel to Ljubljana to face Slovenia on Monday night, October 13, in the fourth round of Group B action.
With a 100% win record and no goals conceded across the first half of the qualifiers, the Rossocrociati have already taken firm control of the group. Murat Yakin’s men have collected nine points from their opening three matches, scoring nine goals and keeping three clean sheets in the process. Another victory in the Slovenian capital – combined with Kosovo failing to beat Sweden – could mathematically secure Switzerland the top spot with two rounds to spare.
This is a must-win encounter for the Slovenians. Picking up just two points from their opening three Group B games, Matjaz Kek’s side find themselves trailing second-placed Kosovo by two points and in desperate need of a spark to revive their hopes of reaching their third-ever World Cup (first one since South Africa 2010).
Head-to-Head History (H2H: Slovenia vs Switzerland)
History between these two nations heavily favors Switzerland. The Swiss have won six of their last seven meetings with Slovenia, including a convincing 3-0 home win in Basel just last month. That result showcased the gulf in quality between the sides, as Switzerland dominated the first half to establish a 3-0 lead and comfortably closed out the contest.
All in all, Switzerland boast seven wins from their ten previous meetings with Slovenia, losing only twice. Slovenia’s last victory came in a Euro 2016 qualifier back in October 2014, when they edged a 1-0 win in Maribor.
Slovenia: Current Form and Squad News
Slovenia’s World Cup qualifying campaign has so far been underwhelming, with only two points collected from their opening three games. After Zan Vipotnik’s late equalizer earned them a 2-2 draw against Sweden last month, a humbling 3-0 defeat in Switzerland left them reeling, and Friday’s goalless stalemate away to Kosovo did little to boost morale.
Head coach Matjaz Kek made tactical adjustments for that Kosovo clash, shifting to a 3-5-2 (3-1-4-2) system that shored up the defense but limited attacking output. Despite keeping their first clean sheet of the campaign, Slovenia once again failed to find the net – extending their goalless run over the past two matches.
Captain Jan Oblak will make history – the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is set to become the joint-most capped goalkeeper in Slovenia’s history, equalling Samir Handanović’s record of 81 appearances. The 32-year-old remains the bedrock of this Slovenian generation and will need to be at his very best against a dynamic Swiss attack.
Manchester United’s summer signing Benjamin Seško will spearhead the line alongside Nejc Gradisar, while Timi Max Elsnik, Adam Gnezda Cerin, and either Jon Gorenc Stankovic or Svit Seslar will form the midfield engine room. Petar Stojanovic and Zan Karnicnik are expected to operate as wing-backs, providing width and defensive cover.
Slovenia have shown resilience in patches, but their lack of goals remains a serious concern – they’ve failed to score in back-to-back games now, and that trend could hardly be ended against the best defense in Group B, and one of the strongest defensive lines in European football.
Switzerland: Current Form and Squad News
Switzerland’s campaign has been flawless. The Red Crosses have won all three qualifiers without conceding a single goal while scoring nine times. Their latest triumph came on Friday – a composed 2–0 win away to Sweden, in what was expected to be their toughest test in a while – further cementing their dominance in Group B of the UEFA World Cup qualifying. Their defense remained rock-solid, successfully limiting and neutralizing two of Europe’s most lethal forwards, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres.
Under Murat Yakin, the Swiss have evolved into one of Europe’s most consistent and cohesive teams. They’re on a six-game winning streak since a 1-1 friendly draw against Northern Ireland in March – a run that also includes convincing friendly wins over 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico (4-2) and the USA (4-0).
Skipper Granit Xhaka continues to dictate play with authority, contributing three goal involvements in four qualifiers, including the opener in Stockholm. Up front, Breel Embolo will once again lead the line, supported by Ruben Vargas and Dan Ndoye, with Fabian Rieder providing creative drive from midfield.
Defensively, Ricardo Rodríguez, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, and Silvan Widmer form a formidable quartet in front of Gregor Kobel, who replaces Yann Sommer for this round of fixtures. Missing through injury are Denis Zakaria, Michel Aebischer, and Ardon Jashari, but Yakin’s depth ensures continuity and balance throughout the lineup.
Switzerland’s clean-sheet record, attacking fluency, and tactical structure make them firm favorites to continue their winning streak in Ljubljana.
Tactical Outlook: Matjaz Kek vs Murat Yakin
This encounter pits a struggling, defense-minded Slovenia against a well-oiled Swiss unit at the peak of its confidence.
Matjaz Kek is likely to retain his 3-1-4-2 system used in the trip to Pristina last time out, focusing on compactness and quick counter attacks through Sesko’s pace, aerial presence and midfield’s creativity. Slovenia will aim to frustrate their visitors early on and hit on the break, but they risk being overrun in midfield if Xhaka and Freuler dictate possession as comfortably as they did in Basel last month.
Murat Yakin, meanwhile, has molded Switzerland into a team that thrives on rhythm and control. The visitors’ shape – typically a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation – allows fluid rotations between midfield and attack, with full-backs Rodríguez and Widmer pushing high to stretch play. Switzerland’s pressing triggers and quick vertical transitions have repeatedly punished opponents who start passively.
Expect the Swiss to dominate from the outset, forcing Slovenia deep into their own half. If Switzerland find early momentum, they could once again seal the match before halftime – as they did in both Basel (3-0 HT) and the 4-0 rout of Kosovo last month.
Possible Starting Lineups of Slovenia and Switzerland
Slovenia: Jan Oblak – David Brekalo, Vanja Drkusic, Jaka Bijol – Timi Max Elsnik – Petar Stojanovic, Adam Gnezda Cerin, Svit Seslar, Zan Karnicnik – Benjamin Sesko, Nejc Gradisar. (3-1-4-2)
Switzerland: Gregor Kobel – Ricardo Rodríguez, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Silvan Widmer – Fabian Rieder, Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler – Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye (4-3-3)
Slovenia vs Switzerland Betting Odds and Prediction
Based on EveryGame‘s latest betting odds, Switzerland are -161 favorites, with the draw priced at +240 and a Slovenia win at +375. While the odds might not offer massive value, Switzerland’s imperious form and defensive stability make them extremely difficult to oppose right now.
The Swiss have been dominant across both halves of their September qualifiers, and those seeking higher-value options can look at the Half-Time/Full-Time market: Switzerland/Switzerland (+145), given their trend of early control. This scenario played out in the reverse fixture in Basel, when Murat Yakin’s men led 3-0 at halftime and enjoyed a comfortable second half.
Switzerland have now won six consecutive matches, keeping a clean sheet in the last four, and scoring 20 goals in that stretch. They’re a side operating with precision and confidence, and even if Yakin opts to rotate late in the campaign, the Swiss watch keeps ticking with flawless precision.