Thursday 9 November 2017 19:40, UK
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill is expecting his team to deliver a high-intensity performance as they look to book a ticket to the World Cup finals for the first time in 32 years on Thursday night.
O'Neill admits that while he is aware of the threat Switzerland will offer in the first leg of their play-off encounter, he wants his players to focus on their own strengths as they target a spot in Russia next summer.
Switzerland, whose world ranking of 11th is the highest of all eight teams in the European play-offs, won nine of their 10 Group B matches - only losing their final crucial encounter to Portugal 2-0.
ONeill said: "The message is really simple They know what's at stake. We have done a lot of work off the pitch as we get to know the opponent and their attributes. I sense a real focus in the group.
"The players know what is expected of them they know they will have to hunt the ball at times on Thursday but we are expecting a high-energy performance.
"Switzerland won nine games and didn't get automatic qualification. They have a lot of good players and we have done work on their attacking threats.
"They have lots of tournament experience. We respect them but we need to balance that with our own strengths, what makes us good as a team.
"We have a strong sense of belief we are difficult to beat, we're a good team without the ball, we have energy, we are a threat at set pieces.
"The key is to put ourselves in a good position, to make sure we have something to take to Switzerland."
