All five Home Nations are in action over the next few days as we enter the business end of FIFA World Cup qualification. England, Northern Ireland and Scotland play on Thursday and Sunday. Meanwhile, Wales and Republic of Ireland are in action on Friday and Monday.
There’s still a lot to be settled in the European section of World Cup qualifying with all five nations still in with a chance of reaching Russia 2018. Out of the five, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have the best opportunity to qualify as they sit five points clear at the top of Group F. Meanwhile, only Northern Ireland are guaranteed a place in the top two and a possible play-off spot.
- England v Slovenia – England to Win -1 (Evens at Coral)
- Scotland v Slovakia – Draw (11/5 at Betfair)
- Northern Ireland v Germany – Germany to Win 2-0 (5/1 at Ladbrokes)
- Georgia v Wales – Wales to Win 2-1 (8/1 at Bet365)
- Republic of Ireland v Moldova – Republic of Ireland to Win -3 (3/1 at Betfair)
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
In Group F, England face Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday before ending their qualifying campaign with a trip to Lithuania on Sunday. As for Scotland, before finishing up with a tough trip to Slovenia, they will be hoping to keep their Word Cup dreams alive when they host Slovakia at Hampden Park on Thursday.
Wales and Republic of Ireland meet in what could be a crucial qualifier in Cardiff on Monday. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, entertain world champions Germany in Belfast on Thursday. Get ready for what will no doubt be a fascinating few days of World Cup qualifiers.
England v Slovenia – 5th October
Victory at Wembley over Slovenia on Thursday will be enough for Gareth Southgate’s England to qualify for Russia as group winners. The Slovenians, however, won’t give the Three Lions an easy ride as they can still make the top two in Group F.
The English sit pretty at the top of the group, five clear of Slovakia and six above Slovenia. England have won six and drawn two of their eight qualifiers. As for Srecko Katanec’s men, they have won four, drawn two and lost two.
When these two met in Ljubljana back in October 2016, England were lucky to leave the Slovenian capital with a goalless draw. Nonetheless, with Thursday’s match taking place in London, Southgate’s boys should find life a little easier this time around. We like the look of Coral’s evens for the Three Lions to win with a -1 goal handicap.
England to Win -1 – Evens at Coral
Scotland v Slovakia – 5th October
Gordon Strachan’s Scotland host Jan Kozak’s Slovakia in a vital Group F fixture. The Scots currently sit fourth in the group level on points with Slovenia and a point behind the Slovaks.
Victory for Scotland on Thursday will put them in a great position to finish in the top two. In fact, if England beat Slovenia at Wembley, Strachan’s men will be in the top two going into their final match, three points ahead of the Slovenians and two above Slovakia. Scotland then travel to Ljubljana on Sunday.
However, defeat at Hampden Park on Thursday will end Scotland’s World Cup hopes, regardless of what happens in London between England and Slovenia. We believe Scotland can take it to the final day – providing Slovenia don’t beat England – with a draw in Glasgow (11/5 at Betfair).
Draw – 11/5 at Betfair
Northern Ireland v Germany – 5th October
Victory over Czech Republic last month sealed second spot for Northern Ireland. As unlikely as it seems, Michael O’Neill’s men can still catch Joachim Low’s Germany, who they welcome to Windsor Park this Thursday.
Norn Iron have been superb during qualifying, winning an impressive six of their eight games. Their only defeat came at the hands of the Germans in Hanover nearly a year ago. The world champions have been flawless, accumulating 24 points from a possible 24, scoring an incredible 35 times along the way.
Even with this being in Belfast, Germany are still the overwhelming favourites to take the points. Back in the Niedersachsenstadion in October 2016, Low’s side ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. Ladbrokes are offering 5/1 for another 2-0 German victory on Thursday.
Germany to Win 2-0 – 5/1 at Ladbrokes
Georgia v Wales – 6th October
Group D is still wide open with Wales and Republic of Ireland fighting for second spot. The Dragons, who sit second, travel to Georgia on Friday for a massive game in Tbilisi.
Wales play Ireland in Cardiff on Monday, but they must get past the Georgians first. A Welsh win in the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena will put Chris Coleman’s men in pole position to finish second. They could still catch Serbia, who are four points ahead before Friday’s fixtures.
Gareth Bale may be out injured, but the Dragons should still have enough in them to fire themselves to victory on Friday. Bet365 have a 2-1 Wales win nicely priced at 8/1.
Wales to Win 2-1 – 8/1 at Bet365
Republic of Ireland v Moldova – 6th October
Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland took just a point from their last two qualifiers which has left the door ajar for Wales. Nevertheless, they will be looking for three big points when they welcome Moldova to the Aviva Stadium this Friday night.
Defeat to Serbia coupled with Wales’ win in Moldova has put the Republic a point behind the Welsh with two games to go. The Irish should win on Friday, meaning their trip to Cardiff on Monday is a huge one. If Georgia can do them a favour in Tbilisi on Friday, the ball could be back in Ireland’s court.
Moldova have taken just two points from a possible 24 and conceded 20, so the Irish will be hoping to win well in Dublin. We like the look of Betfair’s 3/1 for the hosts to overcome a -3 goal handicap on Friday.
Republic of Ireland to Win -3 – 3/1 at Betfair