After a couple of exciting evenings of action in the UEFA Nations League, the attention turns to the World Cup qualifiers with teams not involved in the Nations League finals looking to improve their chances of making it to Qatar in just over a year from now.
Four groups are on show over the course of Friday evening and while a lot of the heavyweights are either away or being saved for Saturday, we still have some competitive teams and some big matches to enjoy here.
Group E
Belgium are away competing in the UEFA Nations League finals which gives those in behind them in this group the chance to move into a better position. Their two closest challengers meet in Prague when the Czech Republic and Wales battle it out in a match that neither can afford to lose with Belgium away and gone and only second place up for grabs now. The other match in the group sees the two stragglers meeting in Tallinn when Estonia host Belarus with the aim of avoiding bottom spot all that is on that clash.
Group G
The Netherlands moved their way to the top of the group in the last international break and they will be expected to remain there when they head to Riga to take on a Latvia side who have flattered to deceive for a while. The big match in the group comes from Istanbul where second placed Norway head to third placed Turkey in a match neither can afford to lose but the winners will seriously enhance their qualification hopes while endangering the chances of the other. The other match sees Gibraltar looking for their first points in the section when they host Montenegro.
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Group H
Croatia and Russia both set the pace in Group H heading into what looks a pivotal few days of action. Croatia lead the way on goal difference and they will be expected to maintain that position when they make the trip to take on Cyprus. Even though Russia are at home they face the considerably tougher test against Slovakia who really need to win in Kazan to close the four-point gap between the two. The other match sees Malta going up against a Slovenia side who might be able to revive their qualifying hopes with a win.
Group J
It took a while but Germany finally look to be in control of Group J of qualifying and they can near enough secure their qualification for the tournament when they host a fairly hit and miss Romania side in Hamburg. It is actually Armenia who lead the chase for second spot in behind the Germans but they face a tough test away to Iceland. It might be the night that North Macedonia inject life into their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. They will be expected to get all three points when they head to Liechtenstein.
Betting
This isn’t a card from which a bunch of bets standout to me but there is one I’m happy to get involved in and that comes in the big match in Istanbul where Turkey will be well aware that they need all three points against Norway. While a draw isn’t the worst result it would take their destiny out of their own hands and with just three matches left that isn’t a position they would want to be in so they need a positive start to the Stefan Kuntz era.
I think that is going to lead to some goals because it is a match Norway can’t afford to lose as well. They probably need to win this because they still have to play the Netherlands which isn’t ideal. Norway have goals in them but they concede a few goals as well. The same can be said of Turkey who have just shipped six to the Dutch and conceded three to Latvia earlier in the competition. The state of the group and the qualities of the two sides on show makes me think over 2.25 goals will land here.
Tips
Back Turkey vs Norway – Over 2.25 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.94 with Bet365
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