Italy vs Switzerland Odds & Prediction – UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group Stage Matchday 9

• Italy and Switzerland are tied on 14 points at the top of Group C
• The two teams meet in Rome on Friday, November, 12th
• Read below for the latest Italy vs Switzerland odds, injury news and a pick

Italy and Switzerland are both confirmed of at least a playoff spot. There’s plenty at stake for their meeting on Friday, however, with the two teams fighting it out to top Group C of UEFA World Cup qualifying. The teams are level on 14 points apiece with six matches played.

Their Matchday 5 contest ended in a goalless draw in Basel. Possession and shot attempts were relatively even. It was the fifth draw in the last seven meetings between these two sides, with Italy extending their unbeaten run against the Swiss to ten matches. Switzerland hasn’t beaten Italy since 1993, and they have just seven wins all-time against the Italians, who have come out victorious on 29 occasions when these teams have matched up.

Italy vs Switzerland Odds

Odds as of Nov 11 at DraftKings

Italy In a Slump

Roberto Mancini’s side have hit a bit of a rough spell. They were beaten by Spain in the Nations League during the last international break, leaving them to settle for third in the competition after beating Belgium. That followed draws with Switzerland and Bulgaria in September, which has left the Azzurri under a bit of pressure heading into the final two matchdays of the phase.

Off to the capital! 🚆#ITASUI #VivoAzzurro #WCQ pic.twitter.com/O9Be3SpeN3

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 10, 2021

The Italians are odds-on favorites to take all three points on Friday. Facing Northern Ireland on Monday, they are well-positioned to still win the group, but it isn’t going to be straightforward. They have won just two of their five competitive matches since beating England in the Euro 2020 final, and one of those victories was a 5-0 thrashing of Lithuania. Switzerland managed to keep the four-time World champions relatively quiet in Basel a couple of months ago.

Swiss Form

The Swiss are in good form. They have lost once in 16 matches, although that defeat came to Italy in the group stage of the Euros. While Italy was playing in the Nations League, the Rossocrociati was beating Northern Ireland and Lithuania to move onto 14 points from six matches.

Lugano-Roma✈️✅#ITASUI pic.twitter.com/xGjq8xuEsM

— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) November 10, 2021

With Bulgaria to come on the final matchday of the group stage, Switzerland knows a positive result on Friday will put them in a great position. They are only two behind on goal difference, and they beat the Bulgarians emphatically in Sofia back in March.

Murat Yakin’s team might have looked vulnerable defensively at the Euros, but they are on a four-match clean sheet streak. This is a side who can frustrate the Italians.

Notable Absentees

Both Yakin and Mancini are suffering with numerous important absentees. There’s no Marco Verratti, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Pellegrini or Nicolo Zaniolo for Italy, which will likely leave Federico Bernardeschi leading the line. Bernardeschi has just six goals in 37 caps for his country and is yet to score this season. Mancini will hope Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa have brought their shooting boots with them.

No knowing how serious that Breel Embolo injury is but I’m sure he’s immediately thinking of Italy-Switzerland next week. Huge game for his country. #M05BMG 0:0.

— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) November 5, 2021

Granit Xhaka and Haris Seferovic are both dealing with long-term injuries. While Yakin is boosted by the return of Denis Zakaria from suspension, the Switzerland manager is also without Nico Elvedi, Steven Zuber, Breel Embolo, Gregor Kobel and Christian Fassnacht.

Italy vs Switzerland World Cup Qualifying Statistics

Hosts Have Too Much

The injuries are a massive factor here. While Italy will miss Immobile’s finishing and the creative talents of Verratti and Zaniolo, Switzerland simply do not have the squad depth to compensate for such a lengthy injury list.

The visitors should still make it difficult, setting up in a compact low block to limit space for Italy’s attacking talents, but we expect the Azzurri to find a way.

Federico Chiesa, Manuel Locatelli and Federico Bernardeschi during today's Italian national team training.#ITA | #Italy pic.twitter.com/ovy2Lti7bb

— Max Statman (@emaxstatman) November 8, 2021

With such a strong defensive record, the Swiss should be able to keep this close. Draws have been common between these sides, and another low-scoring match is likely, but Italy should have too much quality. We’re taking the moneyline, though there’s some value in a draw at half-time and an Italy win with the hosts breaking down the Swiss in the second half.

Pick: Italy Moneyline (-165)