Group 10/Switzerland v Russia: Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn has likened Russia to a "wounded animal" as the top two teams in Euro 2004 qualifying Group 10 prepare to meet today.
Second-placed Russia go into the game at Basel's St Jakob Park stadium on the back of surprise defeats to Albania and Georgia, knowing a win will take them top of the group.
"We must play compactly, solidly and intelligently. The Russians are like a wounded animal and they must win so it will not be a walk in the park for us," Kuhn said. "The players have not switched off mentally because the (domestic) championships have come to an end and they have trained very well. That makes me confident for Saturday."
Kuhn's side top Group 10 with eight points, two points ahead of Russia, after an unbeaten start to qualifying.
Switzerland, searching for their first win in 11 attempts against Russia, will be without midfielder Mario Cantaluppi who has a foot infection. Striker Milaim Rama, who recently received dual Swiss-Albanian nationality, is on the bench.
Russia have lost veteran defender Viktor Onopko, who pulled out of the squad with a thigh injury. Coach Valery Gazzayev has dropped captain Yegor Titov, winger Dmitry Alenichev and midfielder Marat Izmailov following the defeats to Albania and Georgia.
"I can promise you there will be no repeat of Albania or Georgia in Basel," said Gazzayev, who was heavily criticised by the Russian media after the losses.
"This is our most important match so far and only victory will be considered a good result for us."
PROBABLE TEAMS
SWITZERLAND: Jorg Stiel; Bernt Haas, Patrick Mueller, Murat Yakin, Ludovic Magnin; Ricardo Cabanas, Johann Vogel, Hakan Yakin, Raphael Wicky; Stephane Chapuisat, Alexander Frei.
RUSSIA: Sergei Ovchinnikov; Yuri Kovtun, Sergei Ignashevich, Denis Yevsikov, Alexei Smertin, Yevgeny Aldonin, Andrei Karayka, Igor Yanovsky, Rolan Gusev, Sergei Semak, Dmitry Bulykin.
