Switzerland missed a great chance to remain in contention for a place in the play-offs, having lost in Wales on Friday, so they are now looking to beat Montenegro at home and at least end the qualifying campaign on a high. The Brave Falcons secured their place in the play-offs thanks to injury time goal against England, with boss Branko Brnovic set to field a second string line-up in this clash.

Nothing to play for but pride

There are no doubts that the national team have come a long way under Ottmar Hitzfeld, even if they failed to make it to the Euro 2012. The experienced manager introduced a number of talented youngsters, such as Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabien Frei, Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Admir Mehmedi, who will all have a big role to play in future qualifying campaigns. Hitzfeld is determined to continue his work despite the recent setbacks and he has hinted that his players will be very motivated to beat Montenegro in their final group game and thus pay the fans back for their support in the qualifiers. Switzerland have been pretty convincing at home of late, recording comfortable wins over Wales and Bulgaria, so they are expected to beat under strength Montenegro side as well. Key players Gokhan Inler, Valon Behrami and Stephan Lichtsteiner are all expected to start, meaning the hosts should have enough in them to end the Euro 2012 qualifiers with a win.

Reto Ziegler is suspended after picking up a red card against Wales, but Philippe Senderos could return after recovering from a groin problem.

Just one more step

Montenegro have achieved a historic success by qualifying for the play-offs when we take into account that this is their second ever qualifying campaign. The Brave Falcons have played well throughout the qualifiers and even though they were lucky to salvage one point at home against England, there are no doubts Branko Brnovic’s side have deserved to fight for their place at the final tournament. After giving their all against England, the players celebrated the big success long and hard, and nobody at the camp was thinking about the Switzerland game. The coach decided to leave his key players in Montenegro, whereas he is set to rest several others who are one yellow card away from suspension, meaning that we will see a second string line-up in Basel. Even though the back-up players will be very motivated to impress the coach, an under strength Montenegro don’t look capable of avoiding defeat in Basel.

Key players Jovetic, Vucinic, Pekovic, Vukcevic, Dzudovic and Beciraj didn’t even make the trip, whereas Drincic, Kascelan, Jovanovic, Basa, Savic and Vladimir Bozovic should be rested.

Verdict

Switzerland are very motivated to make amends for the Wales defeat, even if they are already out of contention for the place in the play-offs. Montenegro arrive to Basel completely worn out and severely weakened, so home win looks like a banker here.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 1.75 (3/4)

Bookmaker: William Hill