Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the IIHF World Championship match.
For Kazakhstan, this is their final chance to remain in the top division, although much of their fate no longer lies in their own hands. Their opponents are one of the standout performers of the group stage — Switzerland, who are still in contention for top spot in their group. Even with potential squad rotation, the Swiss are unlikely to drop points ahead of the knockout round.
Switzerland
Switzerland are in excellent form: they have picked up 16 points from six matches, recorded five consecutive wins, and suffered only one defeat — an overtime loss against the Czech Republic (4:5). They thrashed Hungary 10:0 and earned convincing victories over the United States, Norway, and other opponents. Their attack is led by NHL stars such as Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Kevin Fiala, while their defensive play has remained consistently strong. The goaltending duo of Leonardo Genoni and Stéphane Charlin has stood out, both recording save percentages above 91%. Switzerland have conceded just eight goals in six games and posted three shutouts.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan began the tournament with a surprising win over Norway, but things have gone sharply downhill since. They have lost five straight matches with a goal difference of 6:27 — a deeply concerning statistic. Particularly damaging were heavy defeats to Czechia (1:8) and the United States (1:7). Kazakhstan struggle to keep up with the pace of top-tier opponents, and their discipline collapses under sustained pressure. The roster includes few players from elite leagues, with most of the lineup composed of players from Barys Nur-Sultan, the KHL’s weakest club.
Switzerland vs Kazakhstan Prediction
Switzerland have shown they can comfortably handle weaker sides, as seen in their dominant win over Hungary. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, are in a clear state of crisis. Even their motivation to stay in the top division is unlikely to compensate for their technical shortcomings and lack of cohesion. A win by at least four goals for Switzerland appears to be the most likely outcome.
