SWITZERLAND v NORTHERN IRELAND
Sunday 12th November 2017 – Kickoff: 1700hrs
Football – Europe – World Cup Qualifiers Betting Tips
It’s half-time in this two-legged World Cup qualifier play-off between Switzerland and Northern Ireland, and hostilities resume at St Jakob-Park on Sunday evening with the hosts holding a precious 1-0 lead after a controversial first leg in Belfast on Thursday night.
In fairness, Switzerland deserved to win the tie as they created numerous chances in front of goal but they were all spurned as the likes of Seferovic and Xhaka wasted good chances and Shaqiri going agonisingly close to scoring in the second half.
However, it was a woeful refereeing decision which turned the game in the 53rd minute when a shot towards goal was charged down by a defender in very close proximity, but was adjudged to have handled. Rodriguez duly obliged from the spot, and the Swiss had their lead.
The Swiss now hold home advantage and the Irish will need to achieve what six other nations have failed to do (including the European champions, Portugal), and that is to beat Switzerland on home soil. This looks a tall order indeed.
Northern Ireland seemingly have a mountain to climb when they make their way to Switzerland for Sunday’s decisive second leg as they trail their hosts by one goal, and it would certainly be a travesty of justice if they were to crash out of the World Cup qualifiers due to the shocking penalty decision in the first leg.
However, the Irish may well be kicking themselves for even having to participate in these play-offs as they slumped to back-to-back defeats to end their group campaign, following losses to Germany and Norway which could well cost them dearly.
In addition, Northern Ireland’s away record in Group C was indifferent to say the least with two wins, two defeats and a draw, and this second leg may now be a bridge too far for Michael O’Neill’s boys.
Pick: Switzerland to win @ 1.56 Marathonbet
