FIFA World Cup qualifying football takes centre stage this weekend, with several intriguing matches to look forward to. It might seem like only yesterday that the Premier League returned but, with the transfer window about to close, attention now turns to World Cup qualification. Scotland, England and Northern Ireland are all in action on Friday night, while Republic of Ireland and Wales feature on Saturday.
We’ll also be checking out Germany’s trip to the Czech Republic, as well as the mouth-watering qualifier between Spain and Italy in Madrid. There are so many big games around and some excellent betting opportunities. It’s approaching squeaky bum time now with just months until the 2018 showpiece.
Which nations will take a giant leap towards next summer’s World Cup in Russia? Who will be packing their bags early? Get ready for what promises to be an enthralling weekend of World Cup qualifying action.
- Czech Republic v Germany – Germany to Win to Nil (17/11 at Ladbrokes)
- Lithuania v Scotland – Scotland to Win (4/5 at Sky Bet)
- Malta v England – England to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time (1/3 at Ladbrokes)
- San Marino v Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland to Win 4-0 (6/1 at BetVictor)
- Georgia v Republic of Ireland – Republic of Ireland to Win and Both Teams to Score (15/4 at Bet365)
- Spain v Italy – 1-1 Draw (6/1 at BetVictor)
- Wales v Austria – Wales to Win 2-1 (9/1 at BetVictor)
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
England are in pole position in Group F to qualify for Russia, as the Three Lions sit on 14 points from six games. In the same group are Scotland, who are still in with a slim chance, as they have accumulated eight points so far. Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland and Wales are slogging it out in Group D, with Serbia leading the way on 12 points. Ireland also have 12, with the Welsh sitting third on eight and in desperate need of some big results. As for Northern Ireland, they currently occupy second spot behind Germany in Group C. Michael O’Neill’s side are having another exceptional campaign, taking 13 points from their opening six fixtures and looking good for a play-off spot.
Czech Republic v Germany – 1st September
As usual, Joachim Low’s Germany have been unstoppable in Group C so far, winning all six games to sit on 18 points. Along the way, the world champions have scored 27 goals and conceded just one. This Friday, the Germans face a short trip to the Czech Republic.
The Czechs have plenty of work to do in this group, as they are four points adrift of second placed Northern Ireland ahead of this weekend’s qualifiers. In the reverse match between the pair, Germany eased to a 3-0 win in Hamburg back in October.
The Germans have practically booked their place in the World Cup, and we’re backing them to take another giant leap on Friday. This should be another easy evening for Low’s men, so have a punt on Ladbrokes’ chunky and rewarding odds of 17/11 for Germany to win to nil in Prague.
Germany to Win to Nil – 17/11 at Ladbrokes
Lithuania v Scotland – 1st September
Scotland make the trip to the LFF Stadium in Vilnius on Friday for a must-win qualifier against Lithuania. Three points for the Scots will keep them in the hunt for a top two spot, but defeat will be disastrous.
Scotland’s four points from their last two matches has kept them in with a fighting chance in Group F. If they could have held on for the win against England last time out, Gordon Strachan’s men would have been just three points adrift of the Three Lions now. Ifs and buts don’t get you to the World Cup though and Scotland cannot afford any more errors.
That said, despite being on the road, the Scots should be good enough to win this one. Check out Sky Bet’s 4/5 for the away victory on Friday as the Tartan Army look set to continue their better form.
Scotland to Win – 4/5 at Sky Bet
Malta v England – 1st September
Gareth Southgate takes England to the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali on Friday to face Pietro Ghedin’s Malta. The English, who sit at the summit of Group F, will be looking to stretch their legs at the top with three big points this Friday evening.
After dropping two points away to Scotland last time out, the Three Lions will be eager to get back to winning ways in this one. As for Malta, as per usual, they have already been eliminated, having taken zero points from their opening six matches.
In reality, this is a clash that England should be looking to dominate from the very first whistle to the last. With that in mind, we feel there’s good value in Ladbrokes’ 1/3 for Southgate’s side to be winning at half time and full time in Ta’ Qali on Friday. You can also back them to win to nil, with 4-0 our correct score prediction here.
England to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time – 1/3 at Ladbrokes
San Marino v Northern Ireland – 1st September
Northern Ireland have once again defied the odds, as they are hunting down Germany’s top spot in Group C. They should add another three points to their tally on Friday, as the Green and White Army travel to San Marino, who, like the Maltese, have already been eliminated.
Michael O’Neill’s troops have had another fine qualifying campaign, accumulating 13 points from a possible 18. Norn Iron’s only defeat came against the Germans in Hanover – no disgrace in that. As for San Marino, they have shipped 30 goals and scored just one.
When the sides met in Belfast in October, Northern Ireland romped to an emphatic 4-0 win. We fancy another 4-0 victory for O’Neill’s side on Friday, which you can get at 6/1 with BetVictor.
Northern Ireland to Win 4-0 – 6/1 at BetVictor
Georgia v Republic of Ireland – 2nd September
On Saturday, Republic of Ireland’s quest to reach Russia gets back underway, as Martin O’Neill’s men make the trip to Georgia. Ireland are currently joint top with Serbia on 12 points and right in the hunt.
The Irish have won three and drawn three so far, and they will be looking for maximum points this weekend. Georgia, who narrowly lost 1-0 in Dublin, have just three points to their name.
This could be a tricky fixture for Ireland, but we’re backing them to come out on top in Tbilisi. Have a punt on Bet365’s 15/4 for the Irish to win and both teams to score on Saturday.
Republic of Ireland to Win and Both Teams to Score – 15/4 at Bet365
Spain v Italy – 2nd September
One of the more attractive looking fixtures from the weekend’s qualifiers takes place in Madrid, as Spain welcome Italy to the Spanish capital in Group G. Both teams have won five and drawn one, which makes this a fascinating and crucial fixture in the race for top spot in the group.
In the reverse match in Turin back in October, Vitolo and Daniele De Rossi were on the scoresheet in a 1-1 draw. Since then, both teams have won four on the bounce to take 16 points apiece.
Being on home soil, it’s no surprise to see the Spanish as the favourites. However, we fancy the two to cancel each other out yet again. We like the look of BetVictor’s 6/1 for another 1-1 stalemate and this group to go right to the wire.
1-1 Draw – 6/1 at BetVictor
Wales v Austria – 2nd September
Wales welcome Austria to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday evening for a crucial qualifier. After drawing their last five fixtures, nothing short of three points will do for the Dragons this weekend.
Incredibly, despite being held to five stalemates on the spin, Wales still have every chance of qualifying. In fact, three points on Saturday could take them to within a point of Serbia and Republic of Ireland at the top. The same can be said for Austria, though, who also have eight points to their name in a very open and exciting group.
There can be no more excuses for Wales, this is a must-win match for Chris Coleman’s men. We’re backing the Welsh to seal a narrow victory in Cardiff, with BetVictor’s 9/1 for a 2-1 home triumph standing out.
Wales to Win 2-1 – 9/1 at BetVictor