Venue: Spain v Switzerland in Durban – World Cup Group H Match
Date Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Match Time: 4pm (local)
Spain v Switzerland Odds: Spain win 2/7; draw 7/2; Switzerland win 7/1.
Key players – Spain: Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Xavi. Switzerland: Alexander Frei, Phillipe Senderos, Valon Behrami.
Tickets: TBA
Livestream: Coming Soon

Predictions:
Frank Finnegan: Spain-Switzerland sets up as the classic “Unstoppable Force meets Immovable Object” match, with Spain’s high-powered, creative attack up against Switzerland’s organized, stout defense. The Swiss famously were ousted from the 2006 World Cup without having surrendered a single goal. However, they did not face a squad nearly as dangerous as this edition of La Furia Roja. The names and scoring options read like an all-star team: Villa, Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Pedro, Silva. The Swiss will do everything they can, hoping for a 0-0, and will hold off the Spanish for a while, but in the end, Spain is too much and wins 3-0.

Greg Neville: The Spanish Armada should not have any problems of disposing Switzerland or any of their Group H opponents for that matter. The Swiss won’t trouble the Spaniards goal and their defence, although strong, will be constantly peppered by the likes of Villa, Torres and Fabregas. Spain, remarkably, has never reached a World Cup semi-final but this deep and talented squad has the ability to go all the way with a few routs in the process. Spain wins 4-0.

Alex Michaels: I have to agree with my colleagues Greg Neville and Frank Finnegan on this one. I can’t see how the Swiss can stop the pre-tournament favourites in their opener. My worry for the Spaniards is that they will stroll too easily in the Group stages and suffer early in the second round, likely against the Portuguese. As for this match, the Swiss will be dogged in their resistance, but will ultimately be conquered. A comfortable 3-0 win for Spain, possibly more.

Other June 16 matches:
World Cup Group H match: Honduras v Chile in Nelspruit at 1.30pm.
Honduras v Chile Odds: Honduras win 4/1; draw 5/2; Chile win 4/7.
World Cup Group A match: South Africa v Uruguay in Pretoria at 8.30pm.
South Africa v Uruguay Odds: South African win 7/4; draw 11/5; Uruguay win 5/4.