class=”article_teaser__2t5do”>Recent encounters between Yakin's men and the Green and White Army have proved tense and tight games, and Al Hain-Cole expects more of the same
Northern Ireland will be hoping to leapfrog Switzerland into the World Cup qualification play-off places when they travel to Geneva on Saturday.
Ian Baraclough’s men are three points adrift of their hosts in third place in Group C, having taken five points from the opening four fixtures.
Switzerland vs Northern Ireland latest odds
After running out 4-1 winners in Lithuania in their last competitive away game, Northern Ireland are available at 10/1 (11.00) with bet365 to move into second spot with a big win at the Stade de Geneve.
However, Switzerland have only lost one of their last 34 World Cup qualification matches stretching back to 2008 and are clear 3/10 (1.30) favourites to move six points clear of their opponents by coming out on top here.
Three of the last four encounters between this pair have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 4/1 (5.00) on them cancelling each other out once again on this occasion.
Switzerland vs Northern Ireland team news
Gregor Kobel has withdrawn from the squad due to injury, while Granit Xhaka is also sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
Trevor Carson, Michael Smith, Alistair McCann, Corry Evans, Gavin Whyte and Shayne Lavery have all pulled out of the squad through injury and illness, although Paddy McNair is back in contention following suspension.
Switzerland vs Northern Ireland team news
Although a potentially decisive game in this group, this fixture is unlikely to attract too many neutral viewers tuning in hoping for goalmouth action.
Indeed, the seven previous meetings between this duo have produced a meagre total of six goals, with six of those games seeing no more than one goal scored and three of the most recent four finishing 0-0.
More of the same seems likely considering Murat Yakin’s team have seen only one goal at either end in their last three qualifiers and the Green and White Army have failed to score in three of their four group games but kept a clean sheet in two of the last three.
Switzerland vs Northern Ireland tips & predictions
Having held each other to a goalless stalemate only a month ago in Belfast, odds of 2/1 (3.00) represent excellent value on under 1.5 goals being scored for the sixth consecutive meeting between Switzerland and Northern Ireland.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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