Northern Ireland vs Switzerland Predictions

• Northern Ireland have called up just four players who have scored an international goal
• The hosts were beaten 1-0 in three home Euro 2024 qualifiers
• The Swiss won 1-0 at the Republic of Ireland in March last year

NI look light in final third

Michael O’Neill’s overhaul of the Northern Ireland squad has left the team short on experience in the final third.

O’Neill’s second spell in charge has been focused on replacing the backbone of his Euro 2016 squad. His 23-man group for this month’s games features just one player over 30, but just four of them have scored an international goal.

Paddy McNair, now playing for San Diego FC in MLS, leads the team with seven strikes in 73 appearances.

Huddersfield Town pair Dion Charles and Callum Marshall are joined by Wigan’s Dale Taylor, ADO Den Haag forward Lee Bonis and former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international Ronan Hale up front.

This talented Swiss side reached the quarter-finals of the Euros last summer and won 1-0 away to the Republic of Ireland a year ago.

A kind run of fixtures at Windsor Park has NI on a five-game winning run, but before that, they suffered 1-0 defeats against Finland, Kazakhstan, and Slovenia in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Another low-scoring game is expected with under 2.5 landing in seven of Northern Ireland’s last nine at home. The Swiss are backed to edge this clash with another narrow win to nil.