Switzerland and Cameroon play their first match of the 2022 World Cup in the early kick-off on Thursday 24th November.

Switzerland qualified for this year’s tournament automatically after remaining unbeaten in their eight qualification group stage matches. Two draws against Italy helped them finish top and ahead of the Euro 2020 winners who following a shock 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia, will not feature in this year’s competition.

Cameroon also finished top of their group ahead of the Ivory Coast to set up a third-stage tie against Algeria to determine which team would make it through to the finals. Despite losing the first leg 1-0, Cameroon matched that score in the second leg and eventually went to on win 2-1 in extra time.

This will be the first time the two sides have ever met and both will be eager to pick up points with tough matches against both Serbia and five-time World Cup winners Brazil to come in the days ahead.

Cameroon didn’t qualify for Russia 2018 and failed to make it our of the group stages in the six of the seven tournaments that they have qualified for. In fact, throughout those six tournaments, Cameroon only won one match, losing ten and drawing four.

Switzerland have a slightly better record at the World Cup where they trend to usually reach the knockout stages. They’ve been eliminated in the Round of 16 in four of the last five World Cup finals they have participated in but will take confidence from the fact they remained unbeaten during qualification and had a rather successful Euro 2020 campaign last summer.

Based on how Switzerland performed at the European Championships last year, I’d be happy to back them at just shy of Evens against Cameroon.

Although they finished third in their Euro 2020 group, they manged to progress and put three past favourites France to force extra time and eventually penalties which they won to reach a quarter-final clash against Spain. Despite Spain dominating the game, Switzerland fought hard for a 1-1 draw and again forced the game to penalties but with several players failing to convert, they were unable to reach the semi-finals.

Switzerland have proved they are an organised side and if they’re capable of getting results against the likes of France, Spain and Italy, it would be a disappointment for them not to get out of their group in this year’s tournament. If they are to do that, they really can’t afford to be dropping points in their opening match as they face Brazil on the following Monday and certainly wouldn’t like to be heading into their final group match against Serbia on zero points.

Switzerland are priced at 17/20 to win with both Betfred and Unibet which I think is a fair price. I am tempted at Switzerland & BTTS at 4/1 but I think they may just be too organised and give Cameroon very few real chances.

As for a correct score, I think 7/1 for Switzerland 2-0 looks good and 10/1 for 2-1 is also very tempting.

Switzerland vs Cameroon team news and line ups will be published here once full World Cup squads have been announced.