Prediction and odds for the game: Italy (8/13) vs Switzerland (9/2)

We are backing the draw at odds of 14/5

When: Friday 12 November 2021, Kick-off 19:45

Where: The Stadio Olimpico

On Friday night, Italy and Switzerland meet at the Stadio Olimpico in what is a massive game in European qualification for next years World Cup.

Italy

The Azzurri are currently top of the group, but only lead the second-place visitors courtesy of a superior goal difference of two. Realistically, the two teams will finish in the automatic and play-off spots in Group C. However, this game will have a big bearing on which team finishes in which position. Finishing second place would be a disappointing result for Roberto Mancini’s team, who were favourites to take the one automatic qualification spot for Qatar 2022.

The European champions have experienced mixed recent results. However, they have a record of late in World Cup qualifying, as Mancini’s team is unbeaten in seven qualifiers, having recorded four wins and three draws. A key to that unbeaten run is their defensive solidity, as the Azzurri have kept six clean sheets in their last seven qualifiers, conceding just once in the process. The potential absence of defensive leader Giorgio Chiellini could influence that stellar backline record, though.

Italy are unbeaten on home soil in World Cup qualifiers, a record that dates back 58 matches. A record of six clean sheets in their last eight home games in qualifying has certainly helped to maintain that proud home record.

Switzerland

The visitors haven’t produced many surprises in Group C, as they were expected to run Italy relatively close for the one automatic qualification spot for the World Cup. However, they will feel this game gives them a chance of leapfrogging the team in the standings. Murat Yakin’s team has already claimed a goalless draw with the Azzurri. They will have to go one step better to move to the top of the standings though.

Switzerland have certainly not been pushovers in recent World Cup qualifiers, as the visitors have suffered just one defeat in their previous 36 games in qualifying. They also head into this game on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run in qualifying.

Like their hosts, Switzerland have a solid defensive record in recent World Cup qualifiers, as they have kept clean sheets in seven of their last eight qualifiers, including their last five matches.

Switzerland are unbeaten in four away matches in qualifying, having recorded three wins and a draw. The visitor’s defensive solidity was again on display in those recent matches on their travels, as they have conceded just once in the four unbeaten qualifiers.

Conclusion

This is set to be an incredibly tight and tense game. There is not much between these two teams in the race for qualification and there is unlikely to be much between the two teams in this clash. Both teams could be missing key players. Although Italy are the favourites, we are backing the draw, as Switzerland have proven they are hard to beat and hard to score against in the group and in the reverse fixture. The other bet we are backing is under 2.5 goals, mainly due to the two teams having such watertight defences.

Our Tips: We are backing the draw at odds of 14/5 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 7/10. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Who will come out on top in this potential pivotal Group C?