Grasshoppers vs BSC Young Boys Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Swiss Super League clash between Grasshoppers and BSC Young Boys. The table tells you a story before we even start - Grasshoppers are down in 11th spot with just 9 points from 10 games, while Young Boys are sitting pretty in 4th with 17 points. There's a proper gulf in class here on paper, but football's not played on paper, is it?

Grasshoppers have been proper Jekyll and Hyde recently. They got absolutely stuffed 5-0 by ST. Gallen in their last game - that's a right hammering by anyone's standards. But before that, they'd put in some decent shifts at home, including a cracking 3-0 win over Zurich. They've been scoring at home too, averaging 1.80 goals per game on their own patch. The problem is they've also been shipping them, with that 5-0 drubbing fresh in the memory.

Young Boys, on the other hand, have been playing some proper end-to-end stuff. They just won 3-2 away at Zurich, which shows they can score goals on the road. But here's the thing - their defence has been about as solid as a chocolate teapot. They're conceding 2.00 goals per game and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 matches. One! That's shocking for a team sitting 4th in the league.

The head-to-head has been pretty tight historically, with Young Boys edging it 4-3 overall. But when they've come to Grasshoppers' patch, the home side have done alright - winning 2, drawing 1, and losing 1 of their last 4 meetings here. Most of those games have been low-scoring affairs though, which might make you think twice about goals.

But looking at recent form, both teams have been involved in some proper goal fests. Young Boys have seen 3-2, 4-2, and 3-2 results recently, while Grasshoppers have been involved in their share of high-scoring games too. With Young Boys' defensive record being so poor and Grasshoppers capable of finding the net at home, I'm expecting both teams to get on the scoresheet here.

The stats back this up - Young Boys have seen both teams score in 70% of their recent games, and they've only managed one clean sheet in 10. Grasshoppers at home have been scoring regularly, even if their defence has been leaky. It all points to both teams finding the net.

Key Points:

• Young Boys have terrible defensive record - just 1 clean sheet in 10 games

• Grasshoppers scoring 1.80 goals per game at home

• Young Boys conceding 2.00 goals per game overall

• Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games recently

• Young Boys have seen both teams score in 70% of recent matches

Given Young Boys' defensive vulnerabilities and Grasshoppers' home scoring record, both teams to score looks the smart play here. Young Boys might have the quality to win the game, but their defence is bound to let in at least one, and Grasshoppers should be good enough to nick one at home.