Switzerland v France Berne, today Kick-off - 7.10pm (Irish-time)Raymond Domenech will become the first France coach to seal World Cup qualification for two decades if Les Bleus win in Switzerland tonight, but he remains under considerable pressure as a problem-filled campaign nears its conclusion.

France's results have improved considerably in recent months, and their victory at Lansdowne Road has put them in a strong position to qualify from Group Four. Domenech, though, is receiving little credit for the turnaround.

The feeling in the media is that the returns of Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele at the start of the season enabled France to clamber out of a hole that had been dug for them primarily by Domenech in the 12 preceding months.

The 53-year-old's position has not been helped by former France captain Michel Platini, who this week branded his reconstruction attempts a failure.

"We haven't constructed a thing," Platini said. "We realised that we couldn't qualify with the youngsters, so we called back three old guys. They'll stop again after the World Cup and we'll be back to square one, except next time it will be harder."

Platini suggested France might be better off not going to the World Cup, claiming they are light years behind Brazil in any case, and adding: "If we lose to Switzerland there would be no point even turning up in Germany."

The last comment is sure to have angered Domenech, as he takes his injury-depleted squad to Berne to face a Switzerland side leading the group on goal difference and unbeaten in its last 11 outings.

David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry have already been ruled out, while Zidane, Thuram, William Gallas and Patrick Vieira are struggling for fitness, but should play. Djibril Cisse is set to start as a lone striker, with Lyon pair Sylvain Wiltord and Florent Malouda on the flanks.

"I'd have preferred to have more choice, but I've got confidence in the players available," Domenech said.

Switzerland also have a significant absentee in playmaker Hakan Yakin, but there is a quiet confidence in the camp.

"We are top of the group so we have every right to feel positive," said Arsenal centre back Philippe Senderos, who has recovered from a back injury.

"It's hard to say who is the favourite," he continued. "We're playing in front of our own fans and we have our destiny in our hands. The next two games are going to be like two finals and we're all really determined."

Coach Kobi Kuhn is likely to resist the temptation to play an extra defensive midfielder, meaning AC Milan's Johan Vogel will take full responsibility for keeping Zidane quiet.

The home team's principal attacking threat should come from Rennes striker Alexander Frei, who has scored six times in his last six internationals.

But Domenech warned: "Switzerland are not only about Frei. They are full of quality, technical players and they play in a style that is less predictable than Ireland's. We will need to show great determination in order to impose our rhythm on the game."

SWITZERLAND (probable): Zuberbuhler; Degen, Magnin, Senderos, Muller; Vogel, Barnetta, Wicky, Gygax; Vonlanthen, Frei.

FRANCE (probable): Coupet; Reveillere, Gallas, Thuram, Boumsong; Makelele, Vieira; Florent Malouda, Zinedine Zidane, Sylvain Wiltord; Djibril Cisse.