Serbia v Switzerland LIVE commentary: Bitter political rivals clash with a World Cup last-16 spot up for grabs – date, kick-off time and how to listen to talkSPORT

Serbia and Switzerland meet on Friday night, with the winner all but guaranteed to claim a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

These two are bitter rivals due to their past historical issues.

And given that the winner will likely qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup, this could turn out to be one of the best games of the tournament.

Switzerland know victory will seal their place in the round of 16, while Serbia need to earn three points and hope Brazil won’t lose to Cameroon to qualify.

The Swiss looked solid defensively in their opening two matches and the Eagles have been better going forward, so it will be fascinating to see who wins.

Serbia v Switzerland: talkSPORT coverage

This clash of Group G will take place on Friday, December 2.

The game at Ras Abu Aboud Stadium 974 is due to start at 7pm UK time.

talkSPORT 2 will have full coverage of the clash and commentary will come from Adam Bridge and Sheffield United Women striker Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.

Serbia v Switzerland: Squad rosters and news

Serbia could be without Strahinja Pavlovic after limping in the finals against Cameroon.

Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic has yet to start for Dragan Stojkovic’s side but could be paired with Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool and Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri was left on the bench as a precaution against Brazil but could be fit enough to return to the starting XI.

Serbia

• Goalkeepers: Marko Dmitrovic Predrag Rajkovic, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
• Defenders: Stefan Mitrovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Strahinja Pavlovic, Milos Veljkovic, Filip Mladenovic, Strahinja Erakovic, Srdjan Babic
• Midfielders: Nemanja Gudelj, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Sasa Lukic, Marko Grujic, Filip Kostic, Uros Racic, Nemanja Maksimovic, Ivan Ilic, Andrija Zivkovic, Darko Lazovic
• Forwards: Dusan Tadic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, Filip Duricic, Luka Jovic, Nemanja Radonji

Swiss

• Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer, Jonas Omlin, Philipp Kohn, Gregor Kobel
• Defenders: Fabian Schar, Silvan Widmer, Ricardo Rodriguez, Manuel Akanji, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi
• Midfielders: Edimilson Fernandes, Michel Aebischer, Fabian Frei, Renato Steffen, Djibril Sow, Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria, Ardon Jashari, Remo Freuler, Fabian Rieder
• Forwards: Ruben Vargas, Haris Seferovic, Breel Embolo, Noah Okafor, Christian Fassnacht

Serbia v Switzerland: Match facts

• Serbia and Switzerland met in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Swiss came from behind to win 2-1, with Xherdan Shaqiri scoring a winning goal in the 90th minute.
• Serbia have lost their last group stage matches in each of their previous three FIFA World Cup appearances as an independent nation, conceding at least two goals in each defeat.
• A victory for Switzerland will guarantee them a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup. They haven’t lost their last group game in any of their last four appearances (W2 D2).
• After a 1-0 loss to Brazil on MD2, Switzerland are looking to avoid losing back-to-back World Cup games for the first time since 1994, losing to Colombia and Spain.
• Serbia drew their first-ever World Cup game last time out (W2 L8), with their 3-3 draw against Cameroon the first time they scored as many as three goals in a single game in World Cup.
• Switzerland have lost just four of their last 17 World Cup group stage matches (W8 D5), despite losing 1-0 to Brazil last time out. They haven’t lost more than one group match in a tournament since 1966 (they’ve lost all three).
• Five of Switzerland’s six shots on goal in their 1-0 loss to Brazil on MD2 came in the second half, compared to just one in the first half. Only three teams have managed fewer shots in the first halves of matches in the first two matches of the 2022 World Cup than the Swiss (4).
• Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored seven goals in his last six appearances for Serbia in all competitions – he is the only player to score more than one World Cup goal for the nation.
• The only two Swiss players to complete more than 100 assists at the 2022 World Cup are central defensive duo Manuel Akanji (124) and Nico Elvedi (131). They also passed each other 46 times, the most of any two Swiss outfield players.
• Dusan Tadic has been involved in eight goals in his last eight games for Serbia in all competitions (2 goals, 6 assists), including an assist in Serbia’s last game against Cameroon.

Watch the World Cup with talkSPORT

At talkSPORT, we’re powered by fans, so come join us for the ultimate World Cup fan experience this winter – in the talkSPORT fan zone.

In a huge covered room under the arches of Waterloo in London, we will bring you live screenings of every World Cup game.

There will be Q&A with talkSPORT talent, you’ll be part of our live shows and plenty of food and drink will be on offer too.

Come and have the best World Cup fan experience in London – and enjoy a complimentary pint – with tickets for all remaining matches on sale HERE!