Northern Ireland vs Switzerland predictions, odds and betting tips
Northern Ireland take on Switzerland in an international friendly this weekend.
Northern Ireland vs Switzerland best bets
- Switzerland to win - 5/6 with Betfred
- Under 2.5 goals - 13/20 with BetMGM
- Breel Embolo to score any time - 2/1 with Sky Bet
Northern Ireland vs Switzerland odds
Find the latest match odds for Northern Ireland vs Switzerland. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Northern Ireland vs Switzerland predictions
Northern Ireland’s last appearance at the World Cup was in 1986. How they would love to make their return to the global stage 40 years on.
The 2026 edition will be the first to feature 48 teams, but proportionally speaking other continents stand to benefit from the expansion more than Europe.
Indeed, there are only three more guaranteed places up for grabs for UEFA nations, so it would take a monumental effort for Northern Ireland to qualify.
The winner of the 12 European groups will automatically proceed to the USA, Canada and Mexico, while the runners-up in each section will go forward to the play-offs.
The winner of Germany and Italy’s upcoming tie in the Nations League quarter-finals on Thursday will join Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Luxembourg in Group A.
Slovakia are the bookies’ favourites to finish second, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Northern Ireland edge them out.
Michael O’Neill’s men have some momentum behind them after winning their League C group in the 2024/25 Nations League.
Northern Ireland topped a group containing Bulgaria, Belarus and Luxembourg after amassing 11 points from a possible 18. They will be in League B, in which Slovakia competed in the most recent edition, in 2026/27.
Before their World Cup qualifying campaign begins against Luxembourg in September, Northern Ireland will play four friendlies (only three of which are confirmed right now).
A trip to Sweden awaits next week, followed by a meeting with Iceland in June. First up is Friday’s game against Switzerland at Windsor Park.
“We have to show resilience in these games,” O’Neill said of his team’s fixtures this month.
“We have to show the ability to be difficult to beat. Given we will have to play a Pot One team in either Italy or Germany in the World Cup qualifiers, Switzerland are a very good benchmark for that. They are an excellent team who consistently do well in tournaments.”
O’Neill guided Northern Ireland to the knockout phase of Euro 2016 in his first spell at the helm. After an underwhelming time at Stoke City, he was reappointed as manager of his country in 2022.
A win on Friday would provide further evidence of the progress Northern Ireland have made under O’Neill’s stewardship.
Northern Ireland vs Switzerland betting tips
Northern Ireland will be aiming to spring a surprise when they host Switzerland on Friday.
Switzerland to win
Switzerland had a miserable time in the Nations League last year, suffering relegation to League B after finishing bottom of their group.
That took many people aback given how accomplished the Swiss looked at Euro 2024, when they reached the quarter-finals and were only eliminated on penalties by England.
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Despite their disappointing performances in the autumn, Switzerland should prove too strong for Northern Ireland on Friday night.
There is more quality at the disposal of Murat Yakin than O’Neill, most of whose players ply their trade in the EFL.
Switzerland, who are getting ready to face in the World Cup qualifiers, will have too much for Northern Ireland in this one.
⚽ Tip Switzerland to win at 5/6 with Betfred ⚽
Under 2.5 goals
Northern Ireland’s best chance of success is by keeping things at the back and hitting Switzerland on the break.
If this becomes an open, end-to-end encounter, Switzerland’s superior individual quality will win the day.
There is a question mark over who will keep goal for Northern Ireland. Pierce Charles has had little game time at club level this term, so Conor Hazard could be given the nod here.
Defensive injuries will not aid Northern Ireland’s chances of keeping Switzerland out, with Conor Bradley’s absence a particularly big blow.
Paddy McNair’s experience will be essential and Northern Ireland will take hope from the fact the Swiss only scored six goals in six Nations League games.
⚽ Go for under 2.5 goals at 13/20 with BetMGM ⚽
Breel Embolo to score any time
Zeki Amdouni was Switzerland’s leading goal-getter in the Nations League, but he is sidelined with a muscular problem and will play no part in this encounter.
The goalscoring burden in Belfast is therefore likely to fall on the shoulders of Breel Embolo. That is not ideal, as the Monaco man has never been prolific.
Embolo has scored just five goals for Monaco in all competitions this season. His overall record for Switzerland reads: 73 caps, 15 goals.
Embolo did strike twice at last summer’s European Championship, though, and if the service is right he is capable of finding the net here too.
Embolo can move onto 16 goals for his country when Switzerland face Northern Ireland, whose weakened backline is unlikely to keep a clean sheet.
⚽ Back Breel Embolo to score any time at 2/1 with Sky Bet ⚽
📺 How to watch Northern Ireland vs Switzerland
- Location: Windsor Park, Belfast, Wales.
- Date and time: Friday 21st March, 7.45pm.
- How to watch: BBC iPlayer.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
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- Premier League top scorer odds
- Premier League relegation odds
- Champions League winner odds
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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