Event of the Day: Northern Ireland v Switzerland

Our event of the day

is the first leg of the UEFA Second Round World Cup qualifying between Northern Ireland and Switzerland. Northern Ireland are hoping to achieve a visit to the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and acquire a place at back-to-back major competitions for the very first time in the history of Northern Irish football, having contended in France at Euro 2016. The first leg is taking place at Windsor Park in Belfast with the second leg kicking off on Sunday 12th November at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. Northern Ireland under Michael O'Neill have proven to be extremely hard to beat on home soil - unbeaten in nine of their last ten home games, with the one defeat against reigning World Champions Germany. This form will need to continue if they have a chance in defeating Switzerland, who are favourites to win the tie overall.

The Swiss are extremely unlucky not to have their spot in Russia already booked, considering they won nine of their ten qualifying game, only to lose their final game to Portugal 2-0 and see the Portuguese take the qualifying spot on goal difference. Tonight should prove to be a tense and exciting affair with so much on the line.

Honourable mentions

around the globe go to the Thursday night NFL clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium. These NFC West rivals were hard to separate last season with a 6-6 tie in Arizona and a tight 34-31 Cardinals victory in Seattle. Both teams need a win to keep in touch with the division leading Los Angeles Rams and keep their respective playoff hopes alive. There is another UEFA Second Round World Cup qualifying first leg as Croatia take on Greece in Zagreb. It is the first day of the Women’s Ashes test match between Australia and England at the North Sydney Oval. The Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, showcasing the world’s best players under the age of 21, reaches the third day. Both the PGA OHL Classic at Mayakobain in Mexico and the PGA European Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, South Africa start today. It is the second day of the England versus a Cricket Australia XI cricket match, In Adelaide, with England closing on 278-8 at the end of the day one. In the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in one of five games tonight. The Detroit Red Wings are up against the Calgary Flames in NHL action at the Scotiabank Saddledome, one of seven games today.

Whatever you are watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by FIFA World Cup