The qualification process for the World Cup resumes on Wednesday night with all groups beginning to take shape following March’s games.
Most teams have played three times as they try and secure a place in next winter’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Qatar.
It is very much a truncated process with all group stages ending in November before the play offs in March, so it is crucial for players to retain good form this year.
13 UEFA qualification matches take place on Wednesday, with defending World Cup winners France among those taking part.
Goalscoring Denmark Set for Scotland Triumph
Steve Clarke’s men play their first international since their disappointing Euro 2020 campaign in which they were eliminated at the group-stage after picking up one point from a possible nine.
They proved themselves as spirited underdogs against arch-rivals England but putting teams to the sword has proven problematic for Scotland – in their last ten matches they have won just twice, against lowly opposition in Luxembourg and the Faroe Islands.
A trip to Denmark and the bouncing Parken Stadium probably isn’t ideal with the hosts enjoying a terrific Euros which saw them into the semi-finals.
Unlike Scotland, Denmark have no problem when it comes to being clinical – in this calendar year, they have scored 29 goals in 11 matches and ooze quality in every department.
They can be backed to win and score over 3.5 goals at 15/4.
Long Night Ahead for Kenny’s Ireland
Stephen Kenny has endured a terrible start as Republic of Ireland boss with the nadir coming in their home defeat against Luxembourg in March.
Even though they have only played twice, upcoming games are already reaching must-win territory, as they sit seven points adrift of second-place Serbia in Group A.
Kenny recorded is first win as Ireland boss in June’s friendly against Andorra but he has severely struggled to make an impact with his country – they have failed to score in nine of the 12 matches he has taken charge of.
With that in mind, Portugal probably couldn’t be a more fearsome opponent.
The Euro 2016 winners might have an ageing core of players but are still incredibly resilient and tough to beat having kept nine clean sheets in their last 17 matches.
And, in Cristiano Ronaldo, they possess a player so good it is akin to having a one-goal head start – the Manchester United man has scored seven goals in nine internationals in 2021.
Portugal can be backed to win to nil at 8/15.
Les Bleus to Triumph Against Out-of-Form Bosnia
Ask most football fans who they think the most talented international team in world football is and a lot of them would probably reply with France, despite their relatively early exit at the Euros.
The strength in depth at Didier Deschamps’ disposal is phenomenal as the World Cup holders aim to make it back-to-back triumphs in Qatar.
France are unbeaten in 90 minutes in their last 11 matches since a surprise 2-0 friendly loss against Finland in November.
At the other end of the scale, Bosnia haven’t won any international since November 2019, a run stretching 13 matches.
No goals in their last four means they are struggling all over the park and France can be backed to win to nil at 4/6.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
