There’s been a fair wait for some international fixtures but 2017 finally welcomes its first batch of World Cup Qualifiers this week. One of the first games to be played is a very important clash between the Republic of Ireland and Wales. Four points separates the two sides in Group D and Wales simply cannot afford to let Ireland’s lead increase to seven. Portugal versus Hungary the following day is of similar importance with the two teams sat second and third respectively in their group and both needing to close in on leaders Switzerland.
On Sunday we get to see how the teams in Group F fare, including two British representatives. England are the first in action and they take on Lithuania at Wembley. The last time the two teams met the Baltic side lost 4-0 and Gareth Southgate would sure love a repeat scoreline in what is a potential banana skin fixture. Later on, Scotland can do England a favour by taking points off second place Slovenia. It’s a tough game for Gordon Strachan’s side but one which is a must win if they are to stand any chance of making it to Russia.
Friday 24th March 2017
Republic of Ireland v Wales (19:45) – Wales to win or draw (4/6 with Bet365)
Three consecutive draws have dented Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1958. They still stand a fair chance but desperately need to avoid defeat in Dublin to keep it a realistic goal. Youngsters Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson have earned a call up but you shouldn’t expect a much different looking Wales side as all their key players all available. The good news for Wales is that they’ve drawn first blood in all of their four qualifiers so far and this is a good habit to be in ahead of a big game.
Unlike Wales, Republic of Ireland have quite a lengthy list of injury problems for this tie. Ciaran Clark and Harry Arter have been ruled out of the squad and both West Hoolahan and James McCarthy are doubts. Martin O’Neil has plenty to think about for a game like this and coping with the possible absence of Hoolahan will be high up on the list. With the Irish not at full strength here, Wales should fancy their chances of securing at least a point and they are fairly priced to do so at 4/6 with Bet365.
Saturday 25th March 2017
Portugal v Hungary (19:45) – Portugal to win by one goal (11/4 at Betfair)
The winners of Euro 2016 are priced around 25/1 to win the double of major tournaments but their involvement in the World Cup next year is far from secure. A loss to Switzerland in their opening fixture has given them work to do and another here would really make them panic. They hold a decent record on home soil though and approach the game having knocked 16 goals past Andorra, Faroe Island and Latvia in their last three qualifiers. There are only two absences from Fernando Santos’ squad, Nani and Adrien Silva who are both injured and neither missing should hurt the Portuguese much here.
There’s no doubting that the Portuguese are the deserved favourites here but the odds suggest that is a huge gulf between the two sides which is much bigger than is actually the case. Hungary, a side that has lost just two of their last 11 away fixtures, will pose a far stiffer test than the likes of Andorra and the Faroe Islands. They managed a thrilling 3-3 draw with Portugal in the European Championships in June and you should expect them to be competitive here even if they fall a little short this time.
Sunday 26th March 2017
England v Lithuania (17:00) – England to win to nil (11/10 at Betfair)
Harry Kane is missing for England through injury alongside England’s top goalscorer Wayne Rooney but don’t let that make you think the home side may slip up here. Gareth Southgate’s side have enough firepower to find their way past a Lithuanian defence that has managed one clean sheet away from home in the past two years. Jamie Vardy has been showing last season’s form for Leicester since the sacking of Claudio Ranieri and Jermain Defoe has been one of the bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing Sunderland team.
At the other end of the pitch, the Lithuanians shouldn’t give England too much to worry about. Danny Rose is the only notable absentee from the defence but Ryan Bertrand is a capable replacement. The Three Lions are yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers as of yet and you shouldn’t expect that to change here. Joe Hart, who is predicted to start in goal, didn’t have the finest performance for Torino last weekend but he’s enjoyed a largely successful season and should be solid for his country here.
Scotland v Slovenia (19:45) – Under 1.5 goals (8/5 at BetVictor)
This is a make or break moment for Gordon Strachan’s men who need to put on a strong showing at Hampden Park this Sunday. There was once a buzz surrounding Strachan following a credible showing the Euro qualifiers but four defeats in their last six plus a home draw to Lithuania has led to many questioning the 60-year-old. Whether he can inspire his squad here is a big ask especially as several of his squad, particularly the strikers, are lacking in form for their club.
Slovenia manager, Srečko Katanec, on the other hand, must be pretty pleased with how things are going. His side are on a seven game unbeaten run and although they could certainly do with a few more goals, the former Macedonia boss really has built a stiff defence. The Slovenians have let in just one goal in their last six games and there’s no name within the Scottish ranks that makes you think their defence will be undone here. A low scoring affair looks on the cards for this one and great odds are available if betting on there being one goal at most.