Group E preview: Switzerland v France

Switzerland and France will battle it out in a top-of-the-table Group E clash in Salvador.

France appeared to put fears over another early tournament implosion behind them with a comprehensive opening victory over Honduras.

Karim Benzema will lead the French attack after comfortably filling the void left by Franck Ribery’s absence from the squad, only missing out on a hat-trick in France’s 3-0 thrashing of Honduras when opposing ‘keeper pushed his shot into the goal. 

These two teams boast some of the most exciting young talents in the game today. Many of the French squad are already household names, for example, Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Mamadou Sakho have all experienced success in Europe.

Switzerland have their own big club player in 22-year-old Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who may be forced into a central role following Granit Xhaka’s underwhelming performance against Ecuador.

Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

Kick-off: June 20, 1900GMT

Key stats: France and Switzerland are well acquainted having faced each other 36 times. France have won 15 games to the Swiss’ 12. There have been nine draws.

Karim Benzema is the first French player to score a brace in a World Cup match since Zinedine Zidane in the 1998 final.

Switzerland have conceded just two goals in their last eight World Cup games.