Fascinating game in Group C tonight as the top two battle it out in Rome with an automatic qualification place at the World Cup next year up for grabs. Both sides are assured of at least making the playoffs, but first position is still open for discussion, with the pair collecting 14 points from their six matches in the section thus far. Given so much is on the line and with both sides quality international outfits, feel this is the perfect game for a Cheat Sheet and some Bet Builder Tips.
Italy, by their high standards are suffering from something of a hangover following on from their Euro 2020 triumph in the summer. They were disappointing in the UEFA Nations League last month, losing 2-1 to Spain in the semi-finals and their World Cup qualifying results haven’t been too much better with a 5-0 win over Lithuania hiding back-to-back draws with Bulgaria and Switzerland. It was these draws that brought the Swiss back into contention to top the group and now this game is very much looking like the battle for top spot. Massive game in Rome and as ever I have posted my Cheat Sheet alongside my top three predictions in this one.
Italy v Switzerland Bet Builder Tips
Lorenzo Insigne to have 1+ Shots on Target
The Napoli captain is in typically fine form for his club side this season with 9 goal contributions already to his name in just 14 appearances. Rumours are rife though that this could be his last season at Napoli with the contract of the 30-year-old expiring at the end of the season and many top clubs have been linked with securing his services. Among them, Inter, Chelsea and Barcelona. Wherever the Italian forward ends up though he is sure to improve them with Insigne continuing to prove what a world class inside-forward he is.
Now 30, Insigne appears to have hit his peak and enjoyed his most productive season in front of goal with Napoli last season having hit 19 goals in Serie A. Fair to suggest that in the past Insigne has somewhat underachieved for the Azzuri but since the appointment of Roberto Mancini as manager it appears to have given both Insigne and the National team in general a new lease of life. Mancini’s free flowing attacking football came as a breath of fresh air for the Azzurri and his ideas seem to be perfect for Insigne. Italy once again has a midfield that is good on the ball and can play direct incisive passes forward, while his 4-3-3 setup at times is similar to the way Napoli were playing not so long ago and certainly suits his style. In the absence of the injured Ciro Immobile, Insigne is likely to be the main goal threat for the Azzuri and given his Cheat Sheet stats are mightily impressive too (1.09 Shots on target & 3.33 shots per game) he seems the perfect choice to get us up and running this evening.
Xherdan Shaqiri to have 1+ Shots on Target
The former Liverpool forward took part in the pre-match press conference prior to the match this evening and spoke confidently about his team’s chances in Rome this evening. On the game Shaqiri said “The objective is to beat Italy, so we’re coming here not to clam up in defence, but to irritate our opponents with well-prepared tactics.”. He is a supremely talented player who has started life well in France with Lyon. Jurgen Klopp was actually reluctant to let him go but said it wouldn’t be right to allow a man with such supreme talent be predominately a bench player which is why he sanctioned his summer move to the French giants.
His record at international level is mightily impressive. He now has 26 goals in his 98 caps and is fast becoming one of the most decorated players in Swiss history. He will either start in the number 10 role or on the right hand side of the front three allowing him to cut inside onto his fabulous left foot. His Cheat Sheet stats are impressive too with him averaging 0.96 shots on target per 90 from the 2.19 shots he attempts. Priced at 2.4 he looks exceptional value for a shot on target in Rome tonight.
Denis Zakaria to be Carded
We finish on a booking and with Italy likely to have the lions share of the play and the majority of the ball I have opted for a Swiss player to be booked tonight. The highly-thought of Denis Zakaria is the man for me as the Borussia Monchengladbach man returns tonight having ironically missed the last international match through suspension. He is actually out of contract at club level in the summer and there is a race for his signature with many top clubs around Europe reportedly interested in the defensive midfielder.
He is a very physical player who uses his presence in midfield to disrupt opponents and no surprise to see him rank highly in the defensive stats on the Cheat Sheet. He will be responsible for trying to harass the world class Italy midfield of Jorginho, Locatelli and Barella and I fancy he could come unstuck on occasion. He ranks highly for both fouls committed and yellow cards and is my tip in this one.
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets, my predicted line-ups can be found below *
Italy v Switzerland Predicted Line-ups
Italy Predicted 11 v Switzerland: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Chiesa, Belotti, Insigne (4-3-3)
Switzerland Predicted 11 v Italy: Sommer; Widmer, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Sow, Frei, Zakaria; Steffen, Gavranovic, Shaqiri (4-3-3)
Italy v Switzerland Cheat Sheet
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *
How to watch Italy v Switzerland in World Cup Qualifying
📅 When is Italy v Switzerland? / Friday, 12 November 2021, 19:45 BST
🏟 Where is Italy v Switzerland? / Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
📺 What TV Channel is Italy v Switzerland on? / Sky Sports Premier League
📱 Online Live Streaming for Italy v Switzerland / bet365
🟨 …And who is the referee for Italy v Switzerland? / Anthony Taylor 🏴
