Grasshoppers vs BSC Young Boys Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Swiss Super League clash. Grasshoppers, sitting 11th and in a right old scrap, welcome a BSC Young Boys side who are 6th but have forgotten how to win on the road. On paper, Young Boys are the favourites, but the form book tells a very different story.

Grasshoppers haven't won at home in their last five, but they've become the draw specialists lately. They've shared the points in their last three outings: a bonkers 3-3 cup draw with FC Sion, a 1-1 with high-flying FC Lugano, and a 1-1 at Lausanne. They're scoring goals – 15 in their last 10 – but they can't keep 'em out at the other end, conceding 16. Most tellingly, they've not kept a single clean sheet in that run. At home, it's even worse, letting in an average of two goals a game. But here's the kicker: they absolutely tonked Young Boys 6-2 away from home just before Christmas. That's a massive psychological boost, even if it feels like a lifetime ago.

Young Boys, on the other hand, are in a proper slump. Two wins in their last ten tells its own story, and those eight losses are a real worry. Away from home, it's a horror show: four losses on the bounce, scoring a paltry 0.75 goals per game and shipping a whopping 3.25. They got a much-needed 3-0 win over FC Zurich last time out, but that was at home. On their travels, they've been beaten by the likes of FC Thun (4-1) and FC Lugano (3-0). Their defence on the road is about as solid as a wet paper bag.

The head-to-head makes for interesting reading. Grasshoppers have the slight edge with four wins to Young Boys' three from nine meetings. At home, it's two wins, two draws, and one loss for the hosts. The last two meetings have been goal fests: that 6-2 win for Grasshoppers and a 3-3 draw before that. So when these two meet, it's rarely boring.

So, what's the bet? The bookies have Young Boys as favourites at 2.23, but I can't have that given their away form. Grasshoppers are 3.23, but they can't buy a home win. The draw is priced at a tempting 3.70. Both teams are struggling for wins, Grasshoppers are drawing games, and Young Boys can't win away. This has 1-1 or 2-2 written all over it. The stats scream goals – both teams score in 70% of Grasshoppers' games – but the odds for 'Both Teams to Score - Yes' (1.50) and 'Over 2.5 Goals' (1.58) don't offer any real value. The value, for me, lies in the draw.

Key Points:

Grasshoppers are winless in five at home but have drawn their last three matches.

Young Boys have lost their last four away games, conceding an average of 3.25 goals.

The last head-to-head meeting ended in a stunning 6-2 away win for Grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten matches.

• The draw in the last five H2H meetings at Grasshoppers' ground has occurred twice.

Summary: Two out-of-form sides meet. Grasshoppers can't win at home, Young Boys can't win away. Both can score, but neither can defend with much conviction. The smart money, at a nice price, is on the points being shared in what should be an entertaining stalemate.