Neuchâtel Xamax is currently going through a difficult phase in the league with four defeats in the last five meetings. The latest against FC Thun leaves a particularly bitter taste for the Xamaxiens who, reduced to ten in the 78th minute, managed to regain the advantage in the 88th minute on a gift from the Bernese goalkeeper. Unfortunately a refereeing error will erase the smiles displayed in the public and crucify a team lacking confidence. The Rouge et Noir will have to relaunch this Friday against SLO in order to stay in the race for the top of the table.
Uli Forte will have to deal with a “reduced” squad for this duel. The top scorer in Xamaxi, Demhasaj, as well as the central defender Yoan Epitaux are both suspended for this confrontation. The coach will, however, be able to count on the return of Michael Gonçalves who was serving his sanction during the duel against FC Thun as well as on his new reinforcement, Jessé Hautier who should already be available to the group.
The Stadistes were unable to play their championship match last weekend. The large quantities of snow that fell in Schaffhausen were due to the organization of this match. During their previous match, Dalibor Stevanovic’s players had a real festival by inflicting a dry 6 to 2 on Stade Nyonnais. The Lausanne residents are thus undefeated in the league since September 24 and a defeat conceded against Bellinzona. They thus remain on a series of six matches without defeat, with two victories and four draws. One man has shown himself to be particularly skillful in recent weeks: Warren Caddy. The Stadistes’ number one offensive asset, the 27-year-old Malagasy who arrived at the start of the season from Annecy, scored seven goals in just eight matches played (with a rate of one goal every 93 minutes of play). Another offensive force who arrived on loan from FC Basel, the young Axel Kayombo, 18, also stood out greatly with four goals and three assists in eleven matches. The Rouge et Noir, who have the second worst defense in the championship, are therefore warned.
The first duel between the two teams this season ended with a 3-2 victory for the Xamaxiens at La Maladière. The previous match played at Pontaise, however, turned to the advantage of the Vaudois, who won 2-0 in May 2023.
Swiss
