Switzerland vs France Prediction & Picks - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
International - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
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by Taavi Pailk | in Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament Picks
Two-time Olympic bronze winner Switzerland starts the 2026 men’s ice hockey tournament against France on Thursday at PalaItalia Santa Giulia in Milan.
Switzerland was eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual champion Finland at the 2022 tournament. La Nati will be confident of a better performance this time around, having reached the World Championships final in back-to-back years.
The French are back in the Olympics for the first time since finishing 14th at the 2002 Games. They have never placed higher than fifth and aren’t expected to put up much of a fight against the better teams in Milan. A year ago at the World Championships, France finished last and was relegated to Division I.
The two teams last met before the 2025 World Championships in a friendly, with the Swiss winning 5-2. They have won each of the last nine games in this matchup. Les Bleus haven’t beaten Switzerland since 2019, when Charles Bertrand gave them a 4-3 overtime victory in an exhibition game.
At a major tournament, the last head-to-head clash between Switzerland and France occurred during the group stage of the 2022 World Championships. Goals from Alexandre Texier and Valentin Claireaux gave France a shock 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Swiss, led by Nico Hischier, managed to turn things around and win 5-2.
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Switzerland vs France Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
5 | 258 | 1 | 1 | +1 |
|
4
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | -15 |
Switzerland and France Latest Matches
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
Dec 14, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Dec 13, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Dec 11, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Nov 9, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Nov 8, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Nov 6, 2025 - Rosno Cup
3/5 (60%)
2/5 (40%)
Dec 14, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Dec 13, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Nov 6, 2025 - Rosno Cup
May 24, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
May 22, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
0/3 (0%)
3/3 (100%)
Dec 11, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Nov 9, 2025 - Rosno Cup
Nov 8, 2025 - Rosno Cup
2/4 (50%)
2/4 (50%)
May 17, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
Sep 1, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
Aug 30, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
Aug 29, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
2/3 (67%)
1/3 (33%)
May 17, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
Aug 30, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
Aug 29, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
0/1 (0%)
1/1 (100%)
Sep 1, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
Players list
A. Schmid
L. Genoni
J. Moser
A. Glauser
D. Kukan
C. Marti
R. Josi
M. Fora
J. Siegenthaler
K. Jager
N. Hischier
C. Thurkauf
P. Kurashev
S. Schmid
C. Bertschy
N. Niederreiter
K. Fiala
P. Suter
D. Riat
T. Meier
D. Malgin
S. Andrighetto
A. Keller
M. Neckar
J. Boscq
T. Thiry
P. Crinon
E. Guebey
E. Cantagallo
H. Gallet
F. Chakiachvili
A. Rech
A. Texier
J. Addamo
D. Fabre
A. Dair
L. Boudon
J. Perret
C. Bertrand
S. Da Costa
S. Treille
K. Bozon
F. Douay
P. Bellemare
Most goals and assists
Switzerland
France
T. Meier
(3 Goals)
L. Boudon
(2 Goals)
T. Meier
(4 Assists)
C. Bertrand
(2 Assists)
,
J. Addamo
(2 Assists)
Switzerland - France Key Points
- Switzerland has scored 35 goals against France during a nine-game winning streak.
- Since beating Switzerland 4-3 in 2019, France has scored more than two goals only once in nine head-to-head meetings.
- The Swiss roster includes 20 players who reached the World Championships final last year, including 10 NHL players.
- Montreal Canadiens forward Alexandre Texier is the lone NHLer on the French team.
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Our Switzerland vs France Prediction
Switzerland is among the darkhorses of the tournament and will be focused on making a good start. They have a very competitive roster, and there should be a noticeable gap in quality between Patrick Fischer’s team and the French side.
At last year’s World Championships, France allowed 3.86 goals per game and could hardly generate any offense. Across seven outings, they produced only eight goals. Yorick Treille’s men will hope to stifle Switzerland with a defensive style of play, but the current team doesn’t appear good enough to remain competitive in this game.
Our prediction for Switzerland vs. France: Switzerland -3.5.
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