FC Zurich vs Lugano Predictions

Three points separated third place all the way down to eighth in the Swiss Super League last season, meaning that Sion who finished one place above the relegation zone were a mere three points off finishing in the European places. Zurich and Lugano finished within that tightknit group last time out and it will be interesting to see how the two clubs fair this season.

Zurich’s pre-season has gone pretty well with Sunday’s hosts picking up wins against Wil, Rapperswil-Jona, and RB Leipzig, a draw with Winterthur, and two defeats to Strasbourg and Stuttgart. Zurich don’t have the best of records against Sunday’s guests but will be keen to ensure they don’t miss out on the European places like they did last season. Lugano played four friendlies in which they picked up draws against Chiasso and Ingolstadt, lost against Inter, and beat Wil. Sunday’s visitors are bound to be excited to once again be playing in Europe and haven’t had to worry about any early qualifying matches as they enter straight at the group stage.

The recent head to head record between these two clubs and their performances heading into the opening game of the season suggests that the most likely result on Sunday is a low-scoring draw. Lugano haven’t lost any of their last five matches against Zurich, two of the pairs last five matches have ended in draws, and four of the last five encounters between the duo have produced under 2.5 goals. Both teams scored in five of Zurich’s and each of Lugano’s last six matches. Zurich have only lost two of their last six matches and Lugano have drawn four of their last six, which is why we’re backing a 1-1 draw between the pair this weekend.

Carlinhos top-scored for Lugano last season with 9 league goals, while Zurich’s leading marksman Kololli also scored 9 Super League goals. We’re confident that Sunday’s game will end in a draw and have predicted a final scoreline of 1-1. Zurich don’t have a good recent record against their guests but the pair have drawn 14 of their 35 previous encounters and the form of both sides during pre-season suggests a stalemate is the most likely result this weekend.