Preview: Young Boys vs Sion - prediction, team news, lineups

Young Boys will host league-leaders Sion at Stadion Wankdorf on Sunday in the sides' fourth and third matchweeks respectively of the 2025-26 Swiss Super League season.

The sixth-placed home team lost 4-1 against Basel on August 6 and have four points, two fewer than Sion, who emerged as 4-0 winners against Lugano on August 4.

Match preview

Young Boys were competitive against Basel in the first half - they only faced one big chance and were drawing 1-1 - but Edimilson Fernandes's red card in the 58th minute led to a second-half collapse, with the club subsequently facing five big chances and conceding three times.

The hosts have failed to keep a clean sheet in their three league games, and they have in fact only prevented their opponents from scoring once in their last 12 competitive outings.

Boss Giorgio Contini will be pleased that his side have managed to net in all three of their matches this term, scoring on five occasions in the top flight.

Young Boys head into Sunday's clash having lost one, drawn one and won one of their three league fixtures, but they did end the 2024-25 top-flight campaign unbeaten in four games, achieving victory twice.

Contini's side have only played one match at home - a 3-1 win against Servette on July 27 - and that was their ninth win at Stadion Wankdorf in their past 10 at the stadium.

Sion were fortunate to not concede against Lugano considering their opponents created a number of opportunities but failed to convert chances totalling over two xG.

The visitors are the division's joint leading scorers having netted seven times in their two games, and they have so far averaged the most goals per match of any of the 12 top-flight teams (3.5).

While Young Boys beat Sion 5-1 when the sides met on February 8, Sunday's away team won each of their prior three encounters with their hosts.

Manager Didier Tholot side conceded twice when they defeated FC Zurich 3-2 on July 25, and that was their third victory in their six most recent league matches, with his side losing once in that time.

Sion's win against Zurich was their first league triumph away from home in 11 attempts, with the club being beaten on eight occasions.

Young Boys Swiss Super League form:

Sion Swiss Super League form:

Team News

Young Boys will have to replace Fernandes in the middle of the pitch due to his red card, and his absence is likely to lead to the selection of Lukasz Lakomy alongside Rayan Raveloson.

The duo can be expected to shield centre-backs Gregory Wuthrich and Loris Benito, while the midfielders will also be asked to support attackers Ebrima Colley and Chris Bedia.

As for Sion, forward Altin Shala is their only injury concern, but Rilind Nivokazi and Josias Lukembila are available.

Noe Sow and Ali Kabacalman are candidates to start in midfield, while Ylyas Chouaref and Benjamin Kololli may be fielded in wide roles.

Goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi will hope that central defenders Jan Kronig and Kreshnik Hajrizi can limit the number of shots he faces.

Young Boys possible starting lineup:

Keller; Athekame, Wuthrich, Benito, Hadjam; Males, Lakomy, Raveloson, Fassnacht; Colley, Bedia

Sion possible starting lineup:

Racioppi; Lavanchy, Hajrizi, Kronig, Hefti; Chouaref, Sow, Kabacalman, Kololli; Nivokazi, Lukembila

We say: Young Boys 2-2 Sion

Sion have started the season in strong form, but their record on the road has been poor for some time.

Young Boys could take advantage of Sion's defensive vulnerabilities, but given they have struggled at the back too, fans should expect a high-scoring game.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.