Northern Ireland vs Switzerland
Switzerland and Northern Ireland are set to face off in Belfast for the first of back-to-back World Cup 2022 qualifiers against each other.
The Swiss are currently in second place in Group C behind European champions Italy, whom they held to a draw last time out.
They will look to strengthen their spot in the top two when they face Northern Ireland, who could tie the Swiss on seven points if they defy the World Cup 2022 betting odds by getting the home win.
This will be Switzerland’s first trip back to Belfast since they beat Northern Ireland in a World Cup play-off in 2018 and went on to reach Russia. Can the Green and White Army get their revenge over the Swiss? Read SBOTOP’s preview of this match to find out.
Talking Points
Switzerland’s new boss off to strong start
After a very rocky 2020, Switzerland are back to their best in 2021. The Swiss have lost over 90 minutes just once in their 12 matches this calendar year. That came in a 3-0 defeat to eventual champions Italy in the Euro 2020 group stage.
However, the Swiss were much improved in the rematch, which made World Cup 2022 news as Italy set a new record for the longest unbeaten run in international football history. Switzerland held the Azzurri to a goalless draw at home, with goalkeeper Yann Sommer saving a Jorginho penalty early in the second half.
The Swiss have now finished level after 90 minutes with European champions Italy, Spain, and world champions France in their last three competitive matches.
The Italy match was new Switzerland coach Murat Yakin’s first competitive game in charge after taking over from Vladimir Petkovic. The Swiss won on Yakin’s debut in a friendly against Greece, 2-1.
Yakin is without some of his top attacking players in Xherdan Shaqiri, Breel Embolo, and Mario Gavranovic due to injury, while Granit Xhaka tested positive for Covid. Nevertheless, he still has quite a capable squad at his disposal.
Yakin played with a Christmas tree formation against Italy, with Steven Zuber pushed further forward to support Haris Seferovic in Shaqiri’s absence. Seferovic, who has 24 goals in 81 caps, has been in fantastic goalscoring form for his country this year with five goals in 10 appearances.
Because of so many key absentees, Yakin is unlikely to make too many changes to his starting line-up against Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland’s qualifying hopes still alive
Northern Ireland have not reached the World Cup since 1986 and just narrowly missed out on Euro 2020, but their chances of reaching Qatar in 2022 are looking quite decent after picking up four points through their first three qualifying matches.
They bounced back from a 2-0 defeat to Italy by drawing with Bulgaria and thumping Lithuania 4-1. That means they could tie Switzerland with seven points through four games if they beat the Swiss at home.
Coach Ian Baraclough is missing a couple of his top Premier League stars in Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas and Leicester City centre-back Jonny Evans due to injury. Former Manchester United youngster Paddy McNair has filled in at the back and scored a late goal against Lithuania from the penalty spot.
Strikers Conor Washington and Shayne Lavery also got on the scoresheet against Lithuania. It was the 22-year-old Lavery’s first goal in his international career, while Washington now has five in 30 caps.
However, it remains to be seen whether Baraclough will stick with those two against Switzerland or bring back midfielder Gavin Whyte, who had started the first two games in qualifying up front, and play more on the counterattack. Whyte played all 90 minutes in their friendly win over Estonia but was an unused substitute against Lithuania.
History
Northern Ireland and Switzerland have squared off just six times in international football. Both teams have two wins apiece, and have also drawn twice.
The two countries last met in the 2018 World Cup play-off. The Swiss won the first leg 1-0 at Belfast thanks to a controversial Ricardo Rodriguez penalty. They then held on for a goalless draw at home to knock the Northern Irish out.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
