*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Even if you’re not a fan of the international break you’ve got to admit that Thursday should deliver a cracking evening of football. The only shame is that all of these World Cup Qualifying playoff semi final matches are on at the same time on the same day.
Even more frustrating is the Scotland v Ukraine and Poland v Russia situation. If you’re not up to speed, with Russia expelled from the competition and Ukraine’s game postponed, the Scots and the Poles are playing a friendly instead of their respective playoffs.
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What happens with the Scotland and Ukraine situation is well above my paygrade so I’ll concentrate on what’s actually on offer on Thursday night, namely three of our playoffs and that aforementioned friendly.
You can check out our Wales v Austria verdict, but I’ll be mulling over the possibilities in Italy v North Macedonia, Portugal v Turkey, Scotland v Poland and Sweden v Czech Republic right here. It will all add up to a fine four fold acca for your consideration at 7.45pm on Thursday night.
*An accumulator with these four bets pays at approximately 28/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Italy v North Macedonia – Italy to Win to Nil
TV: Sky Sports Arena
Draw specialists Italy tackle North Macedonia for the right to progress to the World Cup Qualifying playoff finals on Thursday night and they’re the overwhelming favourites here. It might not be that straightforward, though, as they’ve failed to beat Bulgaria, Northern Ireland and Switzerland (twice) in qualifying this season which has led them to this playoff.
The North Macedonians might have peaked in qualifying for the Euros, where they lost all three games, and have struggled to draw with, let alone beat, anyone near Italy’s level since then. The closest benchmark we have to this match is their 4-0 loss to Germany back in October.
Italy don’t have a great playoff record, but it’s impossible to logically see them not prevailing here. In a game that’s lacking in value, Italy to Win to Nil might be our best play.
Portugal v Turkey – Portugal Win & Both Teams to Score
TV: Sky Sports Premier League
It’s Portugal v Turkey up next with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co finishing behind Serbia in Group A and the Euro 2020 underachievers trailing The Netherlands in Group G. It’s a tasty clash with the home side Paddy’s big favourites.
Turkey could definitely win this on their day but, given the quality that Portugal posses, you have to fancy them to progress. The hosts are fallible, Ireland scored against them in September, as did Qatar and Serbia since the start of this domestic season.
Turkey are pretty handy going forward and have scored in each of their last six. I think they’ll get one but bow out as Portugal Win with Both Teams to Score.
Scotland v Poland – Poland to Win
TV: Sky Sports Football
We move seamlessly onto friendly action here where Scotland host Poland at Hampden Park. These are two teams in superb form with both sides winning five of their six matches this year.
The home side have kept four clean sheets in that time while Poland have mustered just two with Andorra, Albania and even San Marino scoring against them. The thing here is that Poland will be taking this far more seriously with the winner of Sweden v Czech Republic lying in wait in their playoff final next week.
If that wasn’t the case I’d be inclined to side with the Scots but, as Poland need a good showing and a proper tune up with a World Cup spot on the line, I think there’s value in backing the away side. At a healthy price Poland to Win might be a smart punt in this one.
Sweden v Czech Republic – Both Teams to Score
Sweden blew automatic qualification hopes in their last two games and finished behind Spain while the Czech Republic ended 3rd in Group E. It’s a tight match up between two sides who will, ultimately, be disappointed with their qualifying campaigns.
They’ve got a chance to put all that behind them here and, while I can’t pick a winner, I think Both Teams Will Score here. The Czechs have netted in five of their last six while Sweden had scored in five of their last seven.
The hosts have also conceded in five of their last seven. The Czechs seems to concede whenever they play anyone half decent (Wales, Ukraine and Belgium this season) so Sweden will fancy their chances of netting while being likely to let at least one in at the wrong end.
Thursday’s football tips
Italy v North Macedonia – Italy to Win to Nil
Portugal v Turkey – Portugal to Win and Both Teams to Score
Scotland v Poland – Poland to Win
Sweden v Czech Republic – Both Teams To Score
*An accumulator with these four bets pays at approximately 28/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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