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Horse Racing UEFA World Cup Qualifier Best Bets: Thursday March 24th
For the next seven days, international football takes centre stage as the battle for World Cup qualification reaches its most crucial stage. On Thursday evening, the first round of UEFA play-off matches take place and I’ve got best bets for all four of them.
UEFA World Cup Qualifiers Best Bets: Thursday March 24th
- Wales vs Austria: Both teams to score – Yes (2.05)
- Portugal vs Turkey: BTTS and over 2.5 goals (2.60)
- Italy vs North Macedonia: Both teams to score – Yes (2.62)
- Sweden vs Czech Republic: Sweden to win (2.05)
World Cup Qualifying acca odds: 28.62
Odds above are via bet365 as of 10:30 March 23rd 2022. Odds may now differ.
Odds below are best odds available as of 10:30 March 23rd 2022. Odds may now differ.
Wales vs Austria Best Bet
Thursday March 24th, 19:45 (UK Time)
Wales is one of two home nations still in with a shot of qualification for Qatar 2022. Robert Page and his men approach the UEFA play-offs in confident mood and will be delighted to have received a home draw. They are undefeated in their last 11 competitive games at the Cardiff City Stadium and have won an impressive eight of those fixtures.
This week has brought more positive news for the Welsh concerning team selection. As if by magic, Gareth Bale has been declared fit to play in this crucial match, despite missing El Classico last weekend and only featuring on five occasions for Real Madrid this season. Aaron Ramsey also appears to be over his injury worries that have hampered his season to date, playing and scoring in Rangers’ weekend victory before joining up with the squad.
Despite all the positives surrounding Wales, this is far from a foregone conclusion. Austria only reached this stage of qualifying through their Nations League ranking, but they are a side capable of more. Franco Foda’s men proved this at last summer’s European Championships, where they gave eventual winners Italy a real scare in the round of 16.
The Austrians are also in good goal scoring form away from home. In qualification Group F, Austria scored two or more goals in 4 of their 5 away matches, with the blank against Denmark last October being their first in a competitive away game since 2019. Considering Wales are without ever-present goalkeeper Danny Ward, I wouldn’t be surprised if Austria once again found the net in an away fixture.
Although this promises to be a tense occasion for both nations, neither side will want to sit back and defend because of what is at stake. I am therefore happy to back both teams to score at 2.10 with Betfair.
- Selection: Both teams to score – Yes
- Best Odds: 2.10 (Betfair)
- Stakes: 7/10
Portugal vs Turkey Best Bet
Thursday March 24th, 19:45 (UK Time)
In November, Portugal suffered a nightmare international break – a stalemate with Ireland and a crucial defeat against Serbia condemned them to the play-offs. Unfortunately for Fernando Santos and his nation, that nightmare continues, with Portugal experiencing somewhat of a defensive crisis heading into Thursday.
Manchester City duo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias, were already unavailable for selection due to respective suspension and injury, but Pepe has since been added to that list. He is ruled out due to being diagnosed with Covid-19, leaving Portugal without three of their first-choice back four.
On the other hand, there is a lot more positivity surrounding Turkey. They have recovered from the European Championships hangover that threatened to derail their qualification campaign. The Turks managed to string together three consecutive victories across the last two international breaks to ensure they reached the all-important play-off stage.
Goals are usually on the menu when Turkey take to the field. In qualification Group G, 90% of Turkey’s matches featured over 2.5 goals. Excluding the two meetings with Gibraltar, seven of their other eight qualification games also saw both teams score. Portugal have seen a similar influx of goals in their matches since the Euros, with over 2.5 goals being scored in six of their last seven fixtures.
Thursday’s game promises to be a thriller, and the selection issues Portugal are facing at the back further supports that. Odds of 2.60 for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals looks an excellent price given the circumstances.
- Selection: BTTS and over 2.5 goals
- Best Odds: 2.60 (bet365)
- Stakes: 9/10
Italy vs North Macedonia Best Bet
Thursday March 24th, 19:45 (UK Time)
On paper, this tie appears to be the most one-sided of all the UEFA play-off matches. However, following their European Championship success in the summer, Italy won just one of their World Cup qualifying matches and fumbled top spot in Group C.
Even the usually solid Italian backline has only kept three clean sheets in the last seven matches, including allowing minnows Bulgaria to find the net (a team ranked below North Macedonia in the FIFA rankings). With question marks over the fitness of defensive stalwarts Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, North Macedonia could pose the Italians some problems in attack.
The away side, North Macedonia, have scored eight goals in their two November qualifiers, which helped them achieve 2nd spot in a tough group. In fact, Blagoja Milevski’s men scored two or more goals in every Group J game away from home, including in a famous victory against Germany.
The Italians are heavy favourites for this match, and rightly so, but I don’t think the goal threat of North Macedonia should be as underestimated as it has been by the bookmakers. Both teams to score is as long as 2.80 with Betway and Unibet, which I think is worth a go.
- Selection: Both teams to score – Yes
- Best Odds: 2.80 (Betway)
- Stakes: 5/10
More Italy vs North Macedonia Tips
Sweden vs Czech Republic Best Bet
Thursday March 24th, 19:45 (UK Time)
Both of these sides are in the unique position of knowing who they will face in the final play-off match should they emerge victorious. Sweden will be very confident of facing Poland next Tuesday, given they have home advantage for this tie.
Janne Andersson’s men are on an incredible nine-match winning streak in Solna, which includes winning all four of their home matches in qualification Group B. The Swedes scored eight and conceded just once in the Friends Arena on their way to securing second spot.
Unlike their hosts, the Czech Republic approach this tie with a whole host of problems. Jaroslav Silhavy and co. are without talisman striker Patrik Schick and several first-choice defenders. Although Schick grabs the headlines with his absence, the Czechs will arguably feel the loss of their defensive players more as they are vital in making the team hard to beat.
With young attacking talents, including Kulusevski and Elanga, adding to the experience already within the squad, Sweden have more strength in depth going forward than I can remember in recent years. They should be far too strong for a Czech side missing some key players.
- Selection: Sweden to win
- Best Odds: 2.10 (MarathonBet)
- Stakes: 9/10
More Sweden vs Czech Republic Tips
