The penultimate set of matches in the European Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup concludes on Saturday after which the teams will have just one match left to attempt to make it to the World Cup or secure a play-off spot.
It is a day where the likes of Switzerland, Spain and Belgium will be looking to secure their spot in the finals with a match to spare but there are plenty of teams who can still make the top two in their section so this promises to be a competitive day of action.
Group B
All eyes were drawn to Group B on this match day when the fixtures came out because it was expected that there was going to be a qualifying showdown between Switzerland and Sweden taking place but all that rides on it is the Swiss know that if they can win in what is the first game in charge of Sweden for Graham Potter then they will secure their spot at the World Cup. Sweden are waiting for the playoffs to come around. Kosovo will be hoping for a favour from Sweden as if they win in Slovenia then the Kosovans would host a straight qualifying clash with the Swiss in the final match day.
Group C
It is a big night in Group C as well where we are edging towards a straight clash between Denmark and Scotland for the World Cup spot in Glasgow on Tuesday night but in order for us to get there both will need to come out of their Saturday matches with a win. Denmark have the easier looking task when they go up against Belarus while Scotland have to make the trip to a Greece knowing that a win in that game would arguably make them favourites to qualify for the World Cup by right. Greece and Belarus are already out of contention.
Group E
We have the same situation in Group E as well where the top two are on a collision course for a qualification battle in the last match of the campaign. Spain could skip that if they win in Georgia and other results go their way although with the goal difference advantage that they have a win in that match would near enough guarantee their qualification. Turkey will hope for a Spanish slip up and if they get one then they will go into the final game very much alive should they pick up three points at home to a Bulgaria team who have shipped 16 goals in their four matches to date.
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Group H
Austria lead the way in Group H and they have the first chance to pile the pressure on Bosnia and Herzegovina when they head to Cyprus for the early kick off. Cyprus conclude their qualifying campaign in this match and will want to finish with a flourish but it is the later match which is the important one. If Austria win earlier in the day then Bosnia & Herzegovina will need to win their home match to set up a winner takes all clash in the final match day. Were Romania to win in Bosnia then they would secure a play-off place should they win a home match with San Marino.
Group J
Belgium get the action underway on Saturday when they compete in the early kick off. That takes them to Kazakhstan where they know that if they come away with the three points then they will be guaranteed their place in the World Cup. It is the later match which might carry more interest though because Wales have the chance to move level on points with North Macedonia in the chase for the better play-off spot. The two meet in Cardiff on Tuesday night and a big Wales win could see them having the draw on their side.
Betting
I like a couple of bets on Saturday with the first of them coming in the match between Turkey and Bulgaria where it probably comes to the surprise of nobody that I like the idea of goals in the game. When these two met in the reverse fixture last month Turkey won 6-1 and while I wouldn’t expect the same here, I do think that they will win and win well and look for some confidence to take into a huge game with Spain where although they probably won’t qualify for the World Cup, they will have plenty of confidence to take into the playoffs. Bulgaria have shipped three goals or more in all four games in this group but they did find the net in the reverse meeting so it wouldn’t be a total surprise if a Turkey side, who aren’t exactly watertight, concede a goal in this match. Whoever scores them I like over 3.5 goals here.
The other bet I like is for Switzerland to secure their spot at the World Cup in style when they host a Sweden side who are having big problems and who will be missing their two main strikers in Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak. Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski are two other key players who are out for the Swedes as well and really they’re only playing for a bit of momentum under Graham Potter. Their competitive football resumes in March when they compete in the playoffs so it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if Potter uses this match and the Tuesday one to rotate his players and find out what he has at his disposal. That won’t be the case for Switzerland. They can qualify for the World Cup here regardless of the Kosovo result and I expect them to do that and do it in style. Switzerland are yet to concede a goal in this group and with the attacking players they now have at their disposal I think they can cover a -1 Asian line.
Tips
Back Turkey vs Bulgaria – Over 3.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with William Hill
Back Switzerland (-1AH) to beat Sweden for a 3/10 stake at 1.98 with William Hill
Back them here:
