Both looking to start their respective campaigns on a positive note, Luzern and Servette will meet during the opening weekend of the Swiss Super League at swissporarena on Sunday afternoon.
Die Leuchten will be aiming to produce a statement performance in front of their home faithful, whilst Les Grenats face a tough assignment on the road.
Match preview
Luzern head into the highly-anticipated 2024-25 term following a decent showing during the last edition of the Super League, in which Sunday's hosts finished seventh overall, top of the relegation group ahead of the likes of Basel, who once ruled the land in Swiss football.
Die Leuchten managed to collect a steady tally of 49 points from their 38-game league schedule, netting on 47 occasions and allowing 53 goals, meaning that they ended with a negative goal difference, something that they will be keen to avoid this time around.
Without a standout goalscorer, attacking responsibility was spread throughout the Luzern ranks during last season, with Lars Villiger and Max Meyer ending the term sharing the Golden Boot with six Super League goals each.
Taking charge of his third full campaign at the helm of Die Leuchten, 49-year-old Mario Frick will be looking to guide his side towards the upper echelons of the first tier this season, and potentially to an unlikely European qualification.
With the likes of Basel stumbling over the past few years, Servette are a new name at the top of the Super League standings who are taking advantage, with Sunday's visitors finishing third in the division last term behind champions Young Boys and second-placed Lugano.
Having finished runners-up during the 2022-23 term, Les Grenats are making a habit of competing at the business end of the division in recent years, allowing them to attract a number of high-quality players ahead of the new campaign.
Servette enjoyed a steady away record last term compared to the Super League average, with Les Grenats losing just six of their 19 league outings across the course of the 2023-24 season.
Stepping away from his duties as coach of the Estonian national team, Thomas Haberli has returned to club management for the first time since leaving this weekend's opponents Luzern in December 2019.
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Team News
Luzern remain without the services of Diego Heller, with the goalkeeper suffering a broken arm during the final few months of the 2023-24 campaign.
Die Leuchten are also unable to call upon the talents of Ismajl Beka, meaning the hosts' centre-back options are limited ahead of this weekend.
Servette could welcome a host of new faces to their starting XI on Sunday, including winger Julian von Moos, who signed on a free transfer from St Gallen.
Supporters of Les Grenats are mightily excited about the arrival of Sofyane Bouzamoucha, who is set to be a commanding force at the back for Servette this season.
Luzern possible starting lineup:
Vasic; Ottiger, Jaquez, Lofgren, L Meyer; Winkler, Haas, Dorn, Kadak; Klidje, Villiger
Servette possible starting lineup:
Frick; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Cognat, Ondoua, Antunes; Stevanovic, Guillemenot, Kutesa
We say: Luzern 1-1 Servette
Luzern will be favourites for this match considering that they are on home soil and desperate to put on a show for the opening-day crowd.
That being said, Servette will be full of confidence following their Cup success at the end of last season and should be good enough for a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
