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With the 2023 Women’s World Cup entering the final round of matches in the group stage the first day of round 3 provides a thrilling encounter for one of the co-hosts. A win guarantees New Zealand a place in the knockouts for the first time in their history. Can the Football Ferns achieve that? Will Switzerland play for a draw? Here are our New Zealand women vs Switzerland predicted lineups and all the latest team news.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, July 30th and will be played in Dunedin, New Zealand at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd. The kick-off time is 08:00 am GMT. Now, let’s look at all the team news and also at our predictions for New Zealand women vs Switzerland lineups.
New Zealand predicted lineup: Who is ready to rise to the occasion?
The Football Ferns were stunned in round 2 when losing 0-1 vs the Philippines. New Zealand huffed and puffed all match after conceding early but struggled to create clear chances and this was what saw them lose. New Zealand still sit in 2nd place in the group after beating Norway 1-0 in their first game. However, only a win from the coming final match guarantees the Ferns a place in the knockouts. New Zealand have never been past the group stage before, so the achievement will be huge.
Considering that New Zealand women’s opening match vs Norway broke all attendance and viewing records in the country, both for women’s and men’s football games, the interest for the coming do-or-die clash is even greater and the Football Ferns are certain to be supported by a fanatic sell-out crowd when they take on Switzerland.
Team news
With no injury issues reported coach Jitkas Klimkova has to decide if to keep the lineup unchanged, or to seek refreshment. New Zealand certainly need to be more creative in attack and with that in mind, Olivia Chance could start instead of the poor in the first 2 games Reily. Defensively the Ferns have been solid, so no changes to the back 4 can be expected. Captain Percival and the main goal-hope Wilkinson will have to lead by example in this huge match for New Zealand women’s football.
New Zealand Predicted Lineups (4-3-2-1):
Esson – Bott, Stott, Bowen, A. Riley – Percival, Steinmetz, Hassett – Chance, Hand – Wilkinson
Switzerland predicted lineup: Will the Swiss risk sitting deep, or will they be aggressive?
After beating the Philippines 2-0 in their first game the Swiss earned a vital draw vs Norway and they enter the last round of matches sitting top of the group. The Swiss need only a draw to secure a place in the knockouts in what is only their second World Cup appearance, the first was in 2015. However, the Swiss will be guaranteed winners of the group only if they win this match.
In both games so far Switzerland’s defence was excellent. They didn’t allow the Philippines a shot on target and restricted the fancied Norwegians to just 3 such shots.
Team news
The Swiss coach Inka Grings has no reason to touch the lineup. What will be interesting though is how high the wide players will be asked to sit. This will depend on if Switzerland try to play for a draw, or are determined to go on and win the group.
Here is how we think Switzerland will line up in this opening game.
Switzerland Predicted Lineups (4-3-3):
Thalmann – Aigbogun, Maritz, Stierli, Riesen – Sow, Walti, Reuteler – Piubel, Bachmann, Crnogorcevic
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