Our prediction for this match:
Ireland
Match Time & Date:
26/03/2024
20:45
Prediction: 1-1
Switzerland
Aviva Stadium will host a highly-anticipated friendly between Republic of Ireland and Switzerland. The Boys in Green produced a fine display in a goalless draw with Belgium and they are likely to adopt yet another defence-minded approach against the Rossocrociati. Even though there are no fresh injury worries in John O’Shea’s team, both Matt Doherty and Festy Ebosele are pushing for recalls to the starting XI.
Murat Yakin’s men, on the other hand, defended well in a goalless draw with Denmark and even though first-choice goalkeeper Yann Sommer suffered an injury, we believe that there is a big value in betting on under 2.5 goals. Lorient shot-stopper Yvon Mvogo is widely expected to replace Sommer in the starting XI, while Breel Embolo remains on the sidelines with a long-term injury. You should know that under 2.5 goals have been netted in each of the previous six meetings between the two teams.
Highlighted Player (Granit Xhaka):
Granit Xhaka is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented central midfielders at the moment and he is on the radar of quite a few high-profile sides. Just two seasons at FC Basel proved enough to attract interest from Borussia M’gladbach, who secured his signature in the summer of 2012.
The Switzerland international had a slow start to his career in Germany, causing many pundits to start doubting his credentials, but he eventually turn things around to show he is more than capable of playing at the highest level. Acting as a deep-lying playmaker, Xhaka impressed fans and pundits alike with his performances in Bundesliga and European competitions, and he even managed to score a couple of important goals in the process.
Despite his fragile age, the highly regarded footballer has been a key member of the Switzerland national team for quite some time now, scoring 6 goals in his first 40 caps to establish himself as a real leader of the Rossocrociati. The 2014 World Cup, where he scored one goal in four starts, should prove just the first of many major tournaments to come.
Highlighted Team (Ireland):
Competing as an independent entity since 1953, Republic of Ireland have struggled to match the world’s best national teams ever since, although they did achieve several respectable results on the road. Their best ever result, the 1990 World Cup quarter-final, was achieved with a big smile from Lady Luck seeing that the Irish reached the last eight without winning a single match.
They have since reached the last 16 stage at the 1994 and 2002 tournaments, while only qualifying for three European Championship finals (1988, 2012, 2016). The Irish were in the top 10 of the FIFA Rankings in 1993 and 1994, but have failed to repeat the success in the next twenty odd years, and it appears they are no closer to bridging the gap behind European powerhouses.
Robbie Keane holds the record for most national team caps and goals at the same time, having bagged 67 in 143 appearances, whereas Niall Quinn, Steve Staunton, Damien Duff, Tony Cascarino and Don Givens are some of the other star players.
Arsenal 
Newcastle 
Eldense 
Valencia 
Athletic Bilbao 
Barcelona
Tottenham
Liverpool
Real Madrid 
Mallorca
Sheffield United 
Cardiff 
