Grasshoppers host Luzern in their opening fixture of the 2025-26 Swiss Super League season. Both teams are targeting a positive start, with the hosts looking to maintain a solid home record against the visitors, who often struggle on the road.
Grasshoppers endured a difficult 2024-25 campaign and finished second from bottom in the relegation playoffs. Gerald Scheiblehner’s men showed flashes of quality in preseason, claiming a 3-0 victory over fellow Super League side Sion before falling 3-1 to West Ham in their last warm-up game.
Despite their struggles last season, Grasshoppers maintained a solid home record and won their final three matches in front of their fans. They will head into Saturday's opener, keen to carry that form into this campaign.
Luzern competed in the championship playoffs last season but were never in contention, finishing bottom of the table. They failed to win any of their final six matches, suffering five defeats on this run.
Preseason has been erratic for Luzern, who claimed two wins from five matches, including a 3-0 victory over Rapperswil-Jona in their final warm-up game. One of the problems Mario Frick’s men faced last season was a poor record on the road, and they have lost five of their last six Super League away matches.
How the bookies view it: Grasshoppers with the edge
Grasshoppers have the edge among the bookies and are priced at 23/20 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Luzern is valued at 17/10 while a draw is set at odds of 9/4.
Head to head: Luzern with the edge
Luzern have a 29-22 advantage with 24 draws from 75 previous matches against Grasshoppers. However, the hosts claimed a 3-1 victory in the last home meeting back in April.
Players to watch: Eyes on Muci
Nikolas Muci scored eight goals for Grasshoppers last season and will look to improve on those numbers this term. He can combine with Evans Maurin to produce over 1.5 goals for the hosts (Grasshoppers over 1.5 goals – valued at 3/4 with BoyleSports.
Adrian Grbic scored nine league goals last season and will be the one to watch on Saturday. Kevin Spadanuda often looks sharp going forward, and both men can produce over 0.5 goals – priced at 1/4.
Probable line-ups
Grasshoppers have a fully fit squad and are likely to make changes to the team that lost to West Ham last time out. Justin Hammel should start in goal while summer signing Diarrassouba is set to feature in midfield with Muci expected to feature up front.
Midfielder Nicky Beloko is out injured and will miss Saturday's opener. Spadanuda and Grbic should feature in attack, while Severin Ottiger is set to line up in defence.
Grasshoppers: Hammel, Dirk, Decarli, Paskotsi, Dettoni, Abrashi, Imourane, Diarrassouba, Tugra, Maurin, Muci.
Luzern: Loretz, Ottiger, Knezevic, Beka, Lofgren, Dorn, Kadak, Owusu, Karweina, Spadanuda, Grbic
Anything else catch the eye?
Two of the last three matches between Grasshoppers and Luzern have produced over 3.5 goals – priced at 17/10 by BoyleSports, who are also offering 4/6 for over 2.5 goals. Three of the last four meetings have produced more goals after the break (Second half most goals – offered at 20/21).
Grasshoppers have scored first in their last three Super League home matches (Grasshoppers to score first – available at 5/6).
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