Switzerland look for the win that will help solidify their position behind Italy in Group C but have found Northern Ireland to be a tough nut to crack over the years. A win for the visitors would not only be a surprise but it would take Northern Ireland on to the same points total as Switzerland, so there is plenty to play for this weekend.
Switzerland vs Northern Ireland: Today's Top Betting Tips
Here are our predictions for Switzerland vs Northern Ireland
- Football Whispers Prediction one: Win-to-Nil – Switzerland to Win-to-Nil @ 3/4
- Football Whispers Prediction two: Total Goals – Under 2.5 Goals @ 8/13
- Football Whispers Prediction three: Anytime Goalscorer – Shaqiri to Score @ 9/2
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Switzerland Win-to-Nil
While we are expecting a tight and tense 90-minutes between these two teams, we're backing Switzerland to use their home advantage to secure a win and a clean sheet on Saturday. Switzerland have only lost one of their last six games against Northern Ireland and on paper, the hosts should be winning this game. Switzerland are unbeaten in their last six matches (after 90-minutes) but need to turn more of their draws into wins.
Under 2.5 Goals
Only one of the previous seven encounters between these two countries have produced three or more goals and we're expecting another low-scoring 90-minutes on Saturday. Under 2.5 goals have been produced in three of Switzerland's last four outings, as well as in four of Northern Ireland's last six fixtures.
Shaqiri to Score
Shaqiri already has 1-goal in the World Cup qualifiers and he has scored more goals for his country than any other players in the current squad, making him a great choice to score against Northern Ireland. So far in 2021, Shaqiri has netted 4-goals for his country in 10 appearances which is his second-best total in a year behind 2014 when he scored 7 goals in 12 games.
Everything you need to know about Switzerland vs Northern Ireland
Switzerland have found Northern Ireland a tough opponent over the years
The last game either of these two teams were involved in was against one another last month. That meeting ended in a goalless draw for the third time in four games but the Swiss did have a few key players miss out through injury that could have made a major impact on the end result. Xherdan Shaqiri was one of those players that missed the trip to Northern Ireland but he returns to the squad ahead of this weekend's clash. Northern Ireland have had to make some changes of their own this weekend as McGovern, Smith, McLaughlin, Whyte, Lafferty, Boyce and Lavery are all unavailable to play against Switzerland and that will make the visitor's task even harder.
Northern Ireland Squad
Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Sheffield Wednesday), Conor Hazard (Celtic), Liam Hughes (Liverpool), Jonny Evans (Leicester City), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Shane Ferguson (Rotherham United), Jamal Lewis (Newcastle United), Tom Flanagan (Sunderland), Daniel Ballard (Millwall), Ciaron Brown (Cardiff City), Ryan McLaughlin (Morecambe), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Steven Davis (Rangers), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Corry Evans (Sunderland), Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough), George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Jordan Jones (Wigan Athletic), Carl Winchester (Sunderland), Josh Magennis (Hull City), Conor Washington (Charlton Athletic), Dion Charles (Accrington Stanley), Paul Smyth (Leyton Orient).
Switzerland vs Northern Ireland – Q&A
- Who are the favourites to win? – Switzerland ar the odds on favourites.
- What was the score when these two teams last met? – Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland, 8/9/21.
- What time is kick-off? – 19:45 GMT, 20:45 CET.
