The Matchday 1 encounter in Group B of the 2025 World Ice Hockey Championship between Switzerland and the Czech Republic will take place on May 9 at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning. Switzerland vs. Czech Republic: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Switzerland
Last year, the Swiss finished second in the group stage and then eliminated Germany and Canada in the playoffs, but ultimately lost to the Czech Republic in the final without scoring. This marked their third time reaching the final in the 21st century. Notably, Switzerland has consistently reached at least the quarterfinals in the World Championship for the past seven years.
For the upcoming World Championship, Switzerland's roster includes Nico Hischier, who scored 68 points (35 goals, 33 assists) with the New Jersey Devils this season. He will be joined by teammates Timo Meier and Jonas Siegenthaler. Janis Moser from Tampa Bay will also bolster the defense line.
- Switzerland has scored at least four goals in regular time in 4 of their last 6 World Championship meetings.
- The team has won 8 of their last 10 matches in this tournament (2 via shootouts).
- No more than four goals were scored in regulation time in 6 of Switzerland's last 8 World Championship games.
Czech Republic
The Czechs won the World Championship last year for the first time in 14 years. They finished third in the group stage but managed to knock out the USA and Sweden in the playoffs. In the 21st century, the Czech Republic has won medals eight times (4 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze).
This year, the Czech defense features Filip Hronek, who earned 33 points (5 goals, 28 assists) with Vancouver this season. The team's attack will be strengthened by Boston's David Pastrnak, who scored 106 points (43 goals, 63 assists) in the club's championship. Martin Necas, who recently concluded his Stanley Cup campaign with 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 30 games, will also join the Czech squad just before the tournament starts.
- The Czech Republic has won in regulation time in 6 of their last 7 World Championship matches.
- The team has conceded no more than one goal in regulation time in 4 of their last 6 games in this tournament.
- No more than five goals have been scored in regulation time in 8 of the Czech Republic's last 12 World Championship games.
Switzerland vs. Czech Republic: Match Prediction
Prior to the World Championship, the teams met in the Czech Hockey Games and played a high-scoring match, combining for eight goals in regulation time. Given the recent performances of both teams, they have not had major issues with scoring, often netting at least two goals in regulation time. Thus, I do not expect low-scoring action in the upcoming match.
Both squads have quality players capable of converting opportunities, so I anticipate a productive game from both sides. Switzerland has scored at least twice in regulation time in 6 of their last 7 World Championship games, while the Czech Republic has achieved the same in 6 of their last 7 matches in this tournament. Furthermore, in 4 of the last 6 World Championship meetings between these teams, each side has scored at least twice in regulation time.
My prediction: Both teams to score over 1.5 goals
Leonardo Genoni
Sandro Aeschlimann
Stephane Charlin
Andrea Glauser
Christian Marti
Dominik Egli
Janis Moser
Jonas Siegenthaler
Tim Berni
Damien Riat
Tyler Moy
Daniel Vladař
Josef Korenar
Karel Vejmelka
Daniel Gazda
David Spacek
Filip Hronek
Filip Pyrochta
Jiri Tichacek
Libor Hajek
Tomash Kundratek
Adam Klapka
David Pastrňák
Jakub Flek
Martin Necas
Ondřej Beránek
Petr Kodytek
