Switzerland vs North Macedonia – News and Probable Lineups

With promotion already within reach, Suíça is set to host North Macedonia, the underperformers of Group B1, at the Thermoplan Arena on Tuesday for an encounter in the UEFA Nations League.

The Red Crosses aim for their fourth consecutive victory, while the Lions are keen to avoid yet another defeat.

Match overview

Head Coach Murat Yakin’s Suíça has had a remarkable Nations League campaign thus far, securing three victories in their previous three matches and placing them in a solid position ahead of this contest.

The Red Crosses rebounded from their World Cup exit by convincingly defeating Tuesday’s rivals 3-0 on September 26, taking a two-goal lead in the first half with strikes from Remo Freuler and Zeki Amdouni, before Amdouni netted again in the second half to seal the result.

Demonstrating that their victory was no mere fluke, Yakin’s squad replicated the 3-0 victory against Escócia at Hampden Park just three days later, and followed that with a 2-1 win over Eslovênia on Saturday.

The recent win required a comeback from Suíça, who fell behind early with a surprising goal from Zan Vipotnik in just the second minute, but Dan Ndoye was on target to turn the game around before half-time.

Having amassed nine points from three matches, the Red Crosses sit comfortably at the top of Group B1, five points clear of Eslovênia and Escócia, and another triumph on Tuesday could secure Yakin’s squad promotion to League A, contingent on results from other matches.

On the other hand, North Macedonia has had a challenging year under the guidance of Goce Sedloski, who faces mounting pressure following a disappointing Nations League performance.

After succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Suíça in their opening match, along with a 2-0 loss to Eslovênia on September 29, former Lions player Igor Gjuzelov stated that Sedloski “Should be honest with himself and resign immediately.”

Seeking a response from his team against Escócia last Saturday, Sedloski witnessed his side fall to another 2-0 defeat – a particularly harmful outcome as the Tartan Army had not scored in their prior four matches leading up to the encounter in Skopje.

At the time of his comments about the coach stepping down, Gjuzelov pointed out that the team “[Do not] have the quality of players to make an impression or the depth to improve,” implying that “Even if Sedloski does go, it won’t get any better for the next guy.”

Considering that North Macedonia is yet to score in 2026 – enduring a streak of seven matches with five losses – it’s challenging to dispute that perspective.

Team News

Suíça is likely to field a lineup similar to the one that triumphed over Eslovênia, featuring Aston Villa’s Johan Manzambi behind Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni, with Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer providing width on the flanks.

AC Milan’s Ardon Jashari will be available to partner Remo Freuler in Yakin’s double pivot, positioned just ahead of center-backs Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji.

For North Macedonia, they will be missing midfielder Jani Atanasov due to suspension after receiving multiple yellow cards, including one against Escócia.

In his stead, Matej Gashtarov and Luka Stankoxi are expected to occupy the central midfield positions, supported by wing-backs Bojan Iliexi and Sebastian Herrera.

Moving forward, captain Enis Bardhi is anticipated to assist Rangers striker Bojan Mioxi, alongside fellow attacking midfielder Eljif Elmas.

Suíça probable starting XI:

Kobel; Athekame, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Jashari, Freuler; Aebischer, Manzambi, Ndoye; Amdoun

North Macedonia probable starting XI:

Dimitrex; Mladenoxi, Musliu, Meljichi; Iliexi, Gashtarov, Stankoxi, Herrera; Bardhi, Elmas; Mioxi

Suíça has displayed outstanding form throughout this season’s Nations League B competition, and with promotion on their horizon, they will be particularly motivated this Tuesday.

North Macedonia has struggled to find the net in any of their fixtures in 2026 thus far, making it unlikely they will break that streak against the top team in Group B1.