A swath of second fixtures for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers greet us in Europe after the completion of the opening qualifiers midweek.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in action for Portugal, while midfield star Kevin De Bruyne takes the field for Belgium.
JOGA BONITO!
russia vs. slovenia
march 28th 1:00am
Russia and Slovenia square off on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to record successive wins in Group H.
While Russia made hard work of their opening fixture against Malta, Slovenia posted a surprise 1-0 win over 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.
Despite the 5-0 reverse in Serbia back in November, Stanislav Cherchesov would have had few concerns ahead of opening their campaign with a game against Malta.
However, it took until the 89th minute for Russia to seal all three points against the minnows of the group, a result which will not necessarily lift the mood in the camp ahead of welcoming Slovenia to Sochi.
On a positive note, Russia ended a six-match winless streak which had lasted since September 6, and Croatia’s defeat earlier this week has given Cherchesov’s squad an opportunity to establish a lead in the group.
Having been provided with an easier UEFA Nations League group, Slovenia went through the closing months of 2020 putting together an eight-match unbeaten run.
Nevertheless, their success over Croatia was unexpected, particularly being able to hold on for 75 minutes after Sandi Lovric’s early goal in Ljubljana.
The statement against Croatia showed Slovenia are not here for a holiday, with eight clean sheets recorded in their last nine fixtures, this is going to be a great battle.
Prediction: Russia 0 Slovenia 0
Suggested Bet: Draw at $3.3
Norway vs. Turkey
march 28th 4:00am
Norway and Turkey will be looking to build on winning starts to World Cup 2022 qualifying when they meet at Estadio La Rosaleda in Malaga on Saturday evening.
The fixture is being staged on neutral territory due to coronavirus travel restrictions, though Norway are the designated home team for this intriguing Group G clash.
Turkey’s qualifying campaign got off to a flier with a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in Istanbul on Wednesday.
Veteran striker Burak Yilmaz scored a hat-trick and Hakan Calhanoglu was also on target for the Crescent-Stars, who led by three goals with 46 minutes played.
Meanwhile, the Lions eased to a 3-0 win over minnows Gibraltar in their Group G opener through goals from Alexander Sorloth, Kristian Thorstvedt and Jonas Svensson in a 13-minute burst either side of half time.
That made it three wins, one draw and one defeat in five games since losing to Serbia in October’s Euro 2020 qualifying playoff tie.
Going further back, Stale Solbakken’s charges have lost only lost five of their last 28 matches and have their eyes set on a first World Cup finals appearance since 1998.
Turkey looked irresistible in its first game but Norway represent a team who look compact in defence and well-drilled.
Prediction: Norway 1 Turkey 1
Suggested Bet: Draw at $3.3
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Total goals scored under 2.5
Leg 2: Erling Haaland anytime goal scorer
Leg 3: Draw
Combined Odds = $10
Serbia vs. Portugal
march 28th 6:45am
Serbia and Portugal will both be aiming to build on opening-day victories in World Cup qualification when they do battle at the Stadion Rajko Mitic on Sunday morning in Group A.
The hosts edged a five-goal thriller with the Republic of Ireland in their first game, while Portugal needed a huge stroke of luck to overcome Azerbaijan in midweek.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s ongoing troubles at Fulham have clearly not affected his ability on the international stage, as Serbia’s star striker rediscovered his goalscoring touch at the perfect time to help his side to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ireland on matchday one.
Serbia’s goal-laden performance in midweek sees them sit atop the rankings after the first match, although they are only above Portugal on goals scored ahead of a mouthwatering contest, and the two goals they shipped on the night ended a run of three consecutive clean sheets for the hosts across all competitions.
Fernando Santos’ men, despite enjoying 67% of the possession and having a whopping 29 shots over the course of 90 minutes, had to rely on a calamitous defensive error to get the job done against Azerbaijan on Cristiano Ronaldo’s turf in Turin.
It was hardly a morale-boosting performance from the current European champions, but Santos affirmed that the three points was ultimately all that mattered on the night, and not a single season or tournament has gone by where a team has not had to win ugly to seal progress or be crowned champions.
Portugal has too much class to be against and now that it’s shaken the cobwebs off, Ronaldo and the like should be able to get into gear with a more comfortable win.
Prediction: Serbia 1 Portugal 2
Suggested Bet: Portugal head to head at $1.72
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Portugal head to head
Leg 2: Cristiano Ronaldo anytime goalscorer
Combined odds = $2.3
Czech Republic vs. Belgium
march 28th 6:45am
Both Czech Republic and Belgium will be looking to make it back-to-back wins at the start of their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaigns when they lock horns in Prague on Saturday night.
Czech Republic opened their Group E challenge with a 6-2 victory away to Estonia on Thursday, while Belgium recorded a 3-1 win over Wales on the same night.
Kevin De Bruyne starred in the victory on Wednesday after he cancelled out a Harry Wilson 10th minute strike with a 22nd minute goal of his own before Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku found the back of the net to gift the Belgium the three points.
Roberto Martinez’s side have now won each of their last five matches in all competitions, and it would be a huge surprise if they did not finish at the top of this particular section.
On the flip side, Jaroslav Silhavy’s side have now won their last three matches in all competitions and will view this month’s double-header against Belgium and Wales as vital to their chances of qualification for the World Cup.
Yet another tight contest but Belgium have the class to prevail as De Bruyne continues his sparking 2021 form.
Prediction: Czech Republic 1 Belgium 2
Suggested Bets:
Belgium head to head at $1.65
Romelu Lukaku to score anytime at $1.80
