World Cup Qualifying Tips & Score Predictions from Tuesday & Wednesday’s Fixtures

The third round of fixtures in this month’s World Cup Qualifiers are about to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. The first two rounds gave us a general idea of where nations stand at the moment in their bid to qualify for arguably the most prestigious football tournament in the world.

The World Cup takes place next year in Qatar, so teams need to gear up and collect as many points as possible. At this stage, there is no room for many errors, and each dropped point may prove costly in the end. Let’s see how we think the fixtures will turn out.

 

France vs Finland

The current world cup champions are up against a Finland side that has proved to be a tricky opponent in the group. France has been unconvincing in their last two matches in the qualifiers, with them only managing a 1-1 draw against both Ukraine and Bosnia and Hercegovina. They desperately need to get back to winning days, or they may find themselves in an uncomfortable position for the next round of fixtures.

Finland goes into this game with a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan, and they are four points behind France in the group, with two fewer games. The last time these two teams faced was in November 2020, when Finland surprised many by beating France 2-0 away. They sure are a tough nut to crack, but France simply has to get the win here.

Score Prediction: France 3-1 Finland (12/1 with Bet Victor)

Betting Tip: France to win and BTTS (11/4 with bet365)

 

Netherlands vs Turkey

The inconsistent Netherlands against a promising Turkey side goes head to head on Tuesday night. The Dutch are yet to find their best form ever since the re-appointment of Louis van Gaal and having missed out on the 2018 tournament, they are under severe pressure to qualify for next year’s tournament.

The Dutch go into this game having won their last qualifying match against Montenegro. Turkey, on the other hand, has surprised many with their results, and they are first in the group at the moment with a point more than the Oranje. They won 2-0 in their first game in Turkey against Netherlands, and they will be looking for another surprise. This is a game that can go either way, but we’ll settle for a high-scoring draw.

Score Prediction: Netherlands 2-2 Turkey (23/1 with SBK)

Betting Tip: Draw (6/1 with Bet Victor)

 

Croatia vs Slovenia

The 2018 World Cup finalists host Slovenia, a nation that has only managed to qualify twice for the World Cup. Croatia head into this game having drawn one and won one in their last two games in this qualifying round.

Slovenia is third in the group, three points behind second-placed Croatia, so this is a game of the utmost importance for both teams. Slovenia won the first game with Croatia back in March, and they will be confident of securing a good result against an inconsistent Croatian side. However, the home advantage may be key here, so Croatia will edge this one.

Score Prediction: Croatia 2-1 Slovenia (17/2 with Mansionbet)

Betting Tip: Over 2.5 goals (6/5 with Betfred)

 

Austria vs Scotland

Another very important game, as the winner in this one, will be in a far better position to challenge Israel for second place. Denmark seems to be unstoppable at the moment, so Israel, Austria and Scotland will battle for second place.

There isn’t much between these two teams at the moment, and they both go into this game having won one and lost one in their previous round of qualification games. The first match between this two finished with a draw, so we may see a similar result this time around, as both nations will be careful not to lose this one.

Score Prediction: Austria 1-1 Scotland (6/1 with Betfred)

Betting Tip: Both teams to score (23/20 with MansionBet)

 

Denmark vs Israel

Denmark is one of the teams that has surprised many with their form in recent months, as they were impressive at the Euros this summer. They are yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup, so they are clear favourites to finish first in the group.

Israel is also another nation that has impressed many with their recent form, and they managed to win both qualifying games prior to this one. They are a tricky opponent, but Denmark are on another level at the moment, so we can only see a home win in this game.

Score Prediction: Denmark 3-1 Israel (13/1 with SBK)

Betting Tip: Denmark to win and BTTS (12/5 with Bet Victor)

 

North Macedonia vs Romania

Both teams go into this game with high aspirations, as the group they are in has proved to be very unpredictable, despite Germany’s superiority on paper. North Macedonia head into this game having drawn both of their games in this qualifying round.

They were far the superior team against both Armenia and Iceland, but they managed to get 2 points from these games. Romania, on the other hand, is high on confidence having won both games without conceding a goal. Romania also won against North Macedonia back in March, but we back the North Macedonia side to just edge this one and make things even more interesting in the group.

Score Prediction: North Macedonia 1-0 Romania (7/1 with bet365)

Betting Tip: North Macedonia to win (8/5 with bet365)

 

Iceland vs Germany

Germany will be looking to follow up on their impressive win against Armenia, and they have a very inconsistent Iceland side up against them. The Germans need time to adapt to their new generation and new manager, but they seem to be hitting top form just at the right time.

Iceland has just managed to get away with a 2-2 draw against North Macedonia on Sunday in a game in which they were by far the second-best team. The gulf in quality is obvious here, and we back the Germans to cement the top spot in the group with a win here.

Score Prediction: Iceland 0-3 Germany (13/2 with bet365)

Betting Tip: Germany to win to nil (20/21 with bet365)

 

Poland vs England

Probably the most interesting game on paper for the neutrals, Poland will look to close the gap on England in their match on Wednesday. The Poles currently trail five points behind England, and this may well be the perfect opportunity to mix things up in the group.

They will be high on confidence having won their previous two games, but the English are no different. England just seems to be going from strength to strength and they get better with each tournament. They have a good mix of youth and experience, and they should be able to just edge this one out.

Score Prediction: Poland 1-2 England (17/2 with MansionBet)

Betting Tip: Mason Mount to score anytime (3/1 with bet365)

 

Kosovo vs Spain

Spain will be looking to continue their impressive form with a trip to minnows Kosovo. This group has Spain and Sweden written all over it for the first two spots, but they will be battling out for the first place, and games like this are a must-win.

Kosovo managed to win against Georgia and get a draw against Greece, so they will fancy their chances of getting a surprise result against Spain. La Roja seems to have gone backwards in recent years, but they have a good, exciting, young squad hungry for success, and next year’s tournament may prove the ideal place to make history. They should be able to beat Kosovo comfortably.

Score Prediction: Kosovo 0-4 Spain (11/1 with Paddy Power)

Betting Tip: Spain to win -2.5 handicap (7/4 with bet365)

 

Wales vs Estonia

Wales head into this game as clear favourites, not just because of their quality, but the character of this game. They have to get the three points here to put pressure on the Czech Republic, their direct rival for the second spot. Belgium seems to be getting away with the first spot, so the Czechs and Wales will battle to join them in Qatar.

Wales will be flying in confidence having secured a much valuable win against Belarus, thanks to an injury-time winner by Gareth Bale. Estonia will be the complete opposite, as they lost both of their previous games, so there will be only one winner here.

Score Prediction: Wales 2-0 Estonia (17/4 with Bet Victor)

Betting Tip: Under 2.5 goals (6/5 with Betfred)

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