Reigning Swiss Super League champions Young Boys will be looking to put their first points on the board after three successive defeats when they face FC Zurich at the Stadion Wankdorf on Sunday.
The hosts are currently bottom of the division, while the visitors are in third place thanks to two wins from their opening two league fixtures.
Match preview
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Young Boys came into the 2024-25 campaign aiming to replicate the immense success they have had in recent years, which has seen them win the title in six of the last seven seasons.
However, their start to the term has been dismal with defeats in all three of their opening fixtures, losing 2-1 to Sion, 3-1 to Servette and, most recently, a shocking 4-0 loss to St Gallen.
Patrick Rahmen was only appointed as the manager in July and no one will be more disappointed with Young Boys' start to the campaign, and the 55-year-old will be desperate for a first victory in their upcoming match.
Despite their dominance in the league in recent history, Young Boys have struggled for results against FC Zurich, recording just one victory in their last seven meetings, including suffering two defeats in that time.
Young Boys will be counting on last season's top scorers, Joel Monteiro and Cedric Itten, to help secure their first points of the season, while they will also need improvements from their defence after conceding nine goals in their opening three fixtures.
In stark contrast, the visitors have started their campaign in excellent fashion, winning both of their opening league games by two-goal margins as well as securing their place in the third qualifying round for the Europa Conference League with a 3-0 aggregate victory against Shelbourne.
As a result, Ricardo Moniz's team sit third in the league with six points, and they will be looking to continue that positive start as they seek just their second league title since triumphing three times in four seasons between 2005 and 2009.
Only one team has scored more goals than Zurich's six so far, with Servette scoring eight having also played a game more, while the hosts have conceded at least three more than any other side in the division.
Moniz will want to avoid a repeat of last season, which saw Zurich go undefeated in their opening 12 league matches but ultimately finish in a disappointing sixth place in the regular campaign.
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Team News
![FC Zuerich Coach Ricardo Moniz in his side's match against Shelbourne in the Conference League - 25/07/2024 [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/ricardo-moniz.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "FC Zuerich Coach Ricardo Moniz in his side's match against Shelbourne in the Conference League - 25/07/2024 [on July 26, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts are expected to be without up to six players for this game against Zurich, with Alexandre Jankewitz, Facinet Conte, Loris Benito, Mohamed Camara and Saidy Janko all certainly missing out.
Lewis Blum is also a doubt after the defender was forced off in the 58th minute of their last match, leaving Zachary Athekame as the most likely potential replacement.
The visitors, on the other hand, are only expected to be missing Rodrigo Conceicao as the midfielder continues his recovery from a muscle injury that he sustained in May.
Juan Jose Perea has scored twice for Zurich in the league this season, and the striker could be in line to start alongside Mounir Chouiar and Armstrong Oko-Flex in an attacking trio.
Young Boys possible starting lineup:
Van Ballmoos; Athekame, Zoukrou, Lauper, Persson; Males, Niasse, Ugrinic, Monterio; Elia, Itten
FC Zurich possible starting lineup:
Brecher; Gomez, Katic, Kryeziu, Wallner; Marchesano, Conde, Krasniqi; Oko-Flex, Perea, Chouiar
We say: Young Boys 1-2 FC Zurich
We do expect an improved performance from the hosts after suffering three disappointing defeats so far, but the visitors are in a good run of form coming into this game, and we believe they will take the victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
