Cameroon vs Serbia, FIFA World Cup 2022, Today Match Prediction

Cameroon vs Serbia Match Prediction & Analysis

Cameroon’s clash with Switzerland was far closer than many predicted going into the game – the African side were bright and full of endeavour from the start.

Indeed, they should have taken the lead on several occasions, with a chances falling to a number of their forward players. Instead, it was Breel Embolo, a player born in Cameroon, that scored the winner for their opponents.

The result will have come as a disappointment then, considering their strong performance. It means that they must realistically win this match in order to keep up their dreams of qualification. Lose, and they’ll be out.

A similar situation faces Serbia too, after their rather more clear-cut defeat to tournament favourites Brazil. Although the European nation toiled and battled hard, Brazil’s quality was just too much in the end.

Unless Brazil and Switzerland draw their match, neither side can officially be eliminated here. However, it would be almost impossible for the loser to come through after two defeats from two.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Cameroon Preview

FIFA Ranking: 43

Predicted Finish: Group Stage

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Were unlucky not to score against Switzerland 

     Choupo-Moting, Mbeumo and Hongla all looked lively

Reasons to be fearful:

     Struggle to convert the chances they create

     Have only been beyond the Group Stage once

For large parts of Cameroon’s contest with Switzerland, there was little to choose between the two sides. Such was Cameroon’s enterprise and energy, you felt that it was only a matter of time before they scored.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. For all the sharpness of their forward players, that quality deserted them in the final third. Efficiency in front of goal is an issue that has followed them in recent years.

If they can sneak a win here, they will be right back in the mix regarding Group G. It would leave them needing an unlikely result against Brazil in their final game, of course, but anything is possible at a World Cup.

Here, they will face a similar type of opponent to Switzerland. Serbia are not always the most fluid with the ball, but they possess some top quality strikers, in particular Mitrovic, who can bully them if given the chance.

Star Man – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

The Bayern Munich forward was everything his country needed him to be – energetic, direct – although unfortunately he couldn’t find the back of the net. If he can here, he’ll bring Cameroon back into contention.

Serbia Preview

FIFA Ranking: 21

Predicted Finish: Group Stage

Reasons to be cheerful

     Mitrovic will fancy his chances against this defence

     Defended well against Brazil for an hour or so

Reasons to be fearful

     Must be more proactive here

     Defeat leaves them staring at elimination

Serbia defended resolutely for more than an hour against tournament favourites Brazil in their opening game. It didn’t end they way they wanted, of course, finishing on the end of a 2-0 defeat.

However, in frustrated the South Americans they showed that there is something about this Serbian side that shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

If they can claim three points here, as they should with their quality, they then go up against Switzerland in a winner-takes-all contest to see who progresses through to the Round of 16.

To win here, however, they need to be more proactive. They should see more of the ball, but it’s how they use it that will count. Mitrovic is a fine striker, but he needs service for him to thrive in front of goal.

The likes of Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic and others in midfield need to protect the ball with greater care. The Cameroonians showed that they will press teams hard in order to win the ball back.

Star Man – Aleksandar Mitrovic

Mitrovic didn’t really get a kick against Brazil, such was the control that the South Americans had over the game. He should have more opportunities here and must take them.