On Saturday night, Switzerland and Northern Ireland clash at the Stade de Geneve in Group C of European qualifying for next year’s World Cup.

SWITZERLAND

The home side are currently second place in the group after four qualifiers in Group C. They are six points behind group leaders and favourites Italy, but also just three points ahead of Saturday night’s visitors in the fight for second place.

Murat Yakin’s team has been hard to beat of late, as they have not lost in 90 minutes in six international games. Their last two matches have finished in 0-0 draws against Italy and in the reverse fixture in Belfast.

Switzerland have lost just once in their previous 34 World Cup qualifiers. They have also kept clean sheets in five of their last six matches in qualifying.

NORTHERN IRELAND

The visitors have made a poor start to their qualifying campaign, but know that if they record a victory in this clash then it gives them a big boost in their second-place challenge.

Like their opponents, Ian Baraclough’s team has been difficult to beat of late, as they have lost just once in their previous six international matches. The visitors have also kept clean sheets in four of their last six games.

Northern Ireland have found wins in World Cup qualifying hard to come by of late, as they have won just one of their previous eight games in qualifiers. They have kept clean sheets in three of their last five qualifiers, though, so all is not lost for the visitors.

Team News

Switzerland look set to be without Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel through injury, while forward Ruben Vargas is also a doubt due to illness.

Northern Ireland will be without Trevor Carson, Michael Smith, Alistair McCann, Gavin Whyte, Corry Evans and Shayne Lavery, who all pulled out of the squad.