The Northern Irish take on the Swiss in the first leg of their WC play-off.
Before their final game against the Germans, Northern Ireland had won each of their home qualifiers without conceding, whilst it was only their second defeat in their last 15 in Belfast. However, none of the other teams they’ve hosted are ranked as highly as Switzerland (we have the Swiss 15th in the world), though if we only include games against teams ranked in the world’s top-55 they’re still an impressive W5-D2-L3 since 2013 with six of these seeing fewer than three goals and four with fewer than two.
Vladimir Petković’s Swiss side have won 10 of their last 11 games but Portugal were the only side they faced in that time ranked higher than Northern Ireland (who we have 48th). They drew at the Euros with France, and against Romania and Poland who are similarly ranked to the Northern Irish, and it’s the draw that we like here in what’s likely to be a cagey encounter. Indeed, under 2.5 goals is as short as 1.5 whilst both teams not to score looks like a banker – it’s been the case in seven of Switzerland’s last eight, and nine of Northern Ireland’s last 10 at home.
Tip: Draw
Northern Ireland v Switzerland
Get the Best Odds and great Bonuses BET NOW!
Tip: No
Northern Ireland v Switzerland [Both Teams To Score]
Get the Best Odds and great Bonuses BET NOW!
Indeed, three of Northern Ireland’s four games at the Euros saw fewer than two goals as they failed to net in three of these, and so we wouldn’t put anyone off the 0-0 correct score here. Meanwhile, for those looking to get the Swiss on-side, we’d prefer to chance the 1-0 score rather than the 2.38 about them winning, which looks too short. To further underline the expected lack of goals, in the UEFA playoffs for the last two World Cups the eight first legs have featured just 12 goals in total, with the four where the lower ranked side was at home seeing just three strikes.
Tip: Draw 0-0
Northern Ireland v Switzerland [Correct Score]
Get the Best Odds and great Bonuses BET NOW!
