Czech Republic U20 vs Switzerland U20: prediction & betting odds January 2, 2026

The World Junior Championship 2025 quarter-final match between the Czech Republic and Switzerland will take place on january 3, 2025 at 3M Arena Mariucci in Minneapolis. Czech Republic vs Switzerland: prediction, betting odds and statistics.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic finished second in Group B. The squad, coached by Patrik Augusta, recorded three wins (one in overtime) and lost to Canada, who topped the group. In terms of goals scored (18) the team trailed not only the birthplace of hockey (25) but also Finland (19). Two players collected seven points each – Tomas Galvas (2+5) and Vojtech Cigarz (2+5). Add that Czech Republic ranked in the top four of the tournament for penalty-killing at 78.5%. The squad has advanced beyond the quarter-final stage on four previous occasions, finishing third three times.

• Czech Republic conceded at least two goals in regulation time in 9 of their last 11 World Junior Championship games.
• The squad won 5 of their last 7 matches at the World Junior Championship (1 in overtime, 1 on penalties).
• Both teams scored in the 1st period in 6 of Czech Republic’s last 7 games at this tournament.

Switzerland

Switzerland started the group stage with two defeats, but victories over Germany (4:0) and Slovakia (3:2) in the final round allowed the squad coached by Jan Kadje to finish third in Group A. Switzerland took a step forward compared with the previous edition of the tournament, and reached the quarter-finals for the fifth consecutive time. However, the squad has never been able to progress past this stage. Highlight Kimi Kerbler as the team’s top scorer, albeit with a modest tally of two goals.

• Switzerland scored at least two goals in regulation time in 6 of their last 7 World Junior Championship games.
• The squad did not concede in the 3rd period in 5 of their last 6 matches at this tournament.
• No more than 6 goals were scored in 60 minutes in 5 of Switzerland’s last 6 World Junior Championship games.

Czech Republic vs Switzerland: Match Prediction

The Czech Republic are rightly installed as favourites for the upcoming encounter. The squad coached by Patrik Augusta lost in the group stage only to one of the main tournament favourites, yet gave Canada plenty of trouble by scoring five goals against them. That was followed by three consecutive wins, one in overtime, although nobody finds Finland an easy opponent. Against the upcoming opponent, Czech Republic hold a significant advantage: five straight wins in head-to-head meetings at the World Junior Championship. Note another factor in favour of the nominal hosts: the home side will play the upcoming game at the same arena as their last-round match, while Switzerland must relocate and, consequently, will have less time to recover.

Switzerland performed solidly in the group stage. In the opening round the squad managed to push the United States, so we can expect no underestimation from Czech Republic. Switzerland usually beat outsiders or opponents who are out of form at the World Junior Championship. Over the previous three editions of the tournament the squad’s wins came against Norway, Kazakhstan, Germany and Slovakia. Two of those teams now play in Division I, and Germany have become regular participants in relegation matches. Strong Czech Republic are unlikely to be surprised by such records.

Prediction: the Czech Republic to win