International Football Betting Tips – 9th to 14th November 2017

We’ve got four European FIFA World Cup play-off matches to look forward to this weekend as the likes of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland attempt to book a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The action gets underway on Thursday when Croatia and Greece meet in Zagreb, and Northern Ireland host Switzerland at Windsor Park in Belfast.

The standout tie kicks off on Friday evening as Sweden and Italy lock horns in the Friends Arena in Stockholm. The Republic get their campaign up and running with a tough-looking game in Copenhagen against Denmark and will be hoping just to keep things tight ahead of the return leg.

The second legs take place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. With so much at stake, which four European nations will make it through to next summer’s World Cup in Russia? The Irish duo are underdogs but can either – or both – spring a surprise to join England at the World Cup seven months’ time?

  • Croatia v Greece – Croatia to Qualify (4/11 at Betfair)
  • Northern Ireland v Switzerland – Northern Ireland to Qualify (11/4 at Ladbrokes)
  • Sweden v Italy – Italy to Qualify (2/5 at Betfair)
  • Denmark v Republic of Ireland – Republic of Ireland to Qualify (5/4 at Bet365)

FIFA World Cup Play-offs

Northern Ireland did superbly well to finish runners-up in a group with the likes of Germany, Czech Republic, Norway and Azerbaijan all competing for the top two places. Joachim Low’s Germans did what they so often do and stormed to top spot without dropping a single point, with Norn Iron following them in on 19 points. As for the Republic of Ireland, they beat Wales in Cardiff to snatch second spot from Chris Coleman’s Dragons on the final day in dramatic style. In a very tight Group D, Serbia finished top on 21 points, Ireland on 19, Wales on 17 and Austria on 15.

Croatia v Greece – 9th & 12th November

Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia host Michael Skibbe’s Greece in the first leg in the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb on Thursday. The Croatians are the strong favourites to win on the night and progress overall. After battling it out in the Croatian capital, the pair then do battle in the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus on Sunday.

Croatia will feel hurt by not taking the direct route through to Russia. Unfortunately for them, four points from the last nine on offer saw them pipped by Iceland to top spot in Group I. Dalic’s side ended qualifying on 20 points from 10 games, winning six, drawing two and losing two. As for the Greeks, they did well to beat Bosnia & Herzegovina to second spot in their group. Belgium, however, were far superior to anyone in Group H.

This could be a tight tie over two legs, but Croatia head in as clear favourites, and rightly so. The Croatians certainly have the better players, and they will be hoping to get half of the job done on Thursday. At 4/11 with Betfair, back Croatia to qualify. They have more experience of this type of game and a clear edge in class and we fancy them to have more than enough to make it to Russia.

Croatia to Qualify – 4/11 at Betfair

Northern Ireland v Switzerland – 9th & 12th November

Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland play Vladimir Petkovic’s Switzerland over two legs for a place in next year’s World Cup in Russia. The first leg takes place at Windsor Park in Belfast on Thursday, with the second leg at St. Jakob-Park in Basel on Sunday night. The Swiss are the 4/11 favourites to qualify, while Norn Iron are available at big odds of 11/4 to make it through to their first World Cup finals since 1986.

Switzerland are incredibly unlucky not to already be in Russia. Despite winning a superb nine of their 10 qualifiers, they were pipped on goal difference by European champions Portugal on the final day. Petkovic’s side must now dust themselves down for the play-offs. Northern Ireland will be confident too though, as they were the best of the rest in a tough group with the world champions Germany. The Green and White Army beat the likes of Czech Republic, Norway and Azerbaijan to second spot in Group C.

Norn Iron have been defying the odds for a few years now, and we’re backing them to cause a big upset against the Swiss. Northern Ireland to qualify at 11/4 with Ladbrokes is well worth having some money on.

Northern Ireland to Qualify – 11/4 at Ladbrokes

Sweden v Italy – 10th & 13th November

The first leg of the tie between Sweden and Italy kicks off in Stockholm on Friday night. Meanwhile, next Monday’s second leg takes place in Milan’s San Siro. We should be in for two cracking games of football between the pair. As expected, the Italians are the bookies’ favourites to reach Russia.

Gian Piero Ventura’s Italy came up short in the battle for top spot in Group G with Spain. In the end, the four-time World Cup winners finished five points behind the Spanish. The Swedes also ran out of steam in their group, losing out by four points to Didier Deschamps’ France in Group A. Despite beating the French in June to go top, Janne Andersson’s men fell away in the end and will feel unlucky to have drawn Italy in the play-offs.

We will no doubt see two quality matches between these two, but the Italians should have the edge over 180 minutes of football. Put your money on Italy to go through at 2/5 with Betfair. That might not look the biggest price but it’s decent enough value given the gulf in class and experience between the two squads.

Italy to Qualify – 2/5 at Betfair

Denmark v Republic of Ireland – 11th & 14th November

Age Hareide’s Denmark and Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland lock horns in the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for the first leg on Saturday night. The pair then square off in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Tuesday for match number two. The Danes, who finished third in the play-off table on 14 points, are favourites to go through at Ireland’s expense.

The Irish beat Wales in an intimidating atmosphere Cardiff to take second place in Group D and the final play-off spot ahead of Slovakia. The Republic looked down and out when they lost at home to Serbia in September, whilst the Welsh made a late charge for the top two. However, two wins from their last two, including the unforgettable 1-0 win in Cardiff, took Ireland into the play-offs.

Denmark, who finished second behind Poland in Group E, will certainly be formidable opponents for O’Neill’s Ireland, but we fancy ROI to see them off over two legs. The Irish are available at 5/4 with Bet365 to qualify and that’s worth a punt given O’Neill’s men have effectively already won one big “play-off” game when they ended Welsh dreams.

Republic of Ireland to Qualify – 5/4 at Bet365