Preview: Switzerland Women vs. New Zealand Women - prediction, team news, lineups

After collecting four points from their opening two games, Switzerland are currently sitting at the top of their Women's World Cup 2023 group, while New Zealand are a point further back in second place.

Match preview

After kicking off the tournament with a 2-0 win over the Philippines, Switzerland turned their attention to Wednesday's tricky meeting with Norway.

Gaelle Thallmann played a starring role for her country, as she produced five crucial saves in an impressive goalkeeping display to ensure the contest finished in a goalless draw.

Switzerland have now kept consecutive clean sheets in each of their last three internationals, while they have also drawn six and drawn six of their previous eight games.

With four points to their name, Switzerland need just a point to guarantee a place in the knockout rounds, while a defeat would leave them relying on the result of the game involving Norway and the Philippines.

La Nati have the chance to claim two victories in a single World Cup campaign for the very first time after winning just one game in their only previous appearance at the tournament in 2015.

The tournament co-hosts New Zealand are at risk of failing to make it out of the group stage at their home World Cup.

The Football Ferns began their campaign with an encouraging 1-0 win over Norway, but they were brought back down to earth by the Philippines on Matchday Two.

After Sarina Bolden gave the Philippines a half-time lead, New Zealand thought they had restored parity in the second period when Jacqui Hand found a way past Olivia McDaniel, before the goal was chalked off by VAR for an offside infringement in the build-up, ensuring the Football Fearns fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat.

Despite being level on three points with third-placed Philippines, Jitka Klimkova's side occupy second position in Group A on goal difference.

New Zealand will secure a place in the Women's World Cup knockout rounds for the first time if they collect all three points on Sunday, while a draw would leave them looking nervously towards the meeting between Norway and the Philippines.

Switzerland Women Women's World Cup form:

W

D

Switzerland Women form (all competitions):

New Zealand Women Women's World Cup form:

W

L

New Zealand Women form (all competitions):

Team News

After battling to a hard-earned draw against Norway, Switzerland boss Inka Grings could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup.

Noelle Maritz will resume her central defensive partnership with Julia Stierli, and the pair will be hoping to help their country go through the group stage without conceding a goal.

At the other end of the pitch, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic will feature in a front three alongside Seraina Piubel and Ramona Bachmann.

As for New Zealand, Olivia Chance is in contention to start after coming off the bench at half time against the Philippines.

Rebekah Stott will resume her centre-back partnership with Katie Bowen, while Catherine Bott and Ali Riley will operate as the two full-backs.

New Zealand captain Ria Percival will play a key role in midfield, and she is expected to be joined in the middle of the park by Malia Steinmetz and Betsy Hassett.

Switzerland Women possible starting lineup:

Thalmann; Aigbogun, Maritz, Stierli, Riesen; Sow, Walti, Reuteler; Piubel, Bachmann, Crnogorcevic

New Zealand Women possible starting lineup:

Esson; Bott, Stott, Bowen, A. Riley; Percival, Steinmetz, Hassett; Chance, Hand, Wilkinson

We say: Switzerland Women X-Y New Zealand Women

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