The 2022 World Cup Qualifiers hurtle along with midweek action across Europe and they have already been marred with controversy!
Portugal will be looking to bounce back after a highly contentious disallowed goal stole the show in the 2-2 draw with Serbia.
England line up to continue its unblemished start on its way to Qatar.
JOGA BONITO!
Wales vs. Czech Republic
March 31st 5:45am
Wales will be seeking its first win of its 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign when it faces the Czech Republic in a Group E clash on Wednesday morning.
The Welsh looked destined to begin its path to Qatar with a win against Belgium after a tenth-minute Harry Wilson strike put them 1-0 up.
However, the class of the number one ranked team in the world came to the fore as Kevin De Bruyne, Thorgan Hazard and Romelu Lukaku cancelled out the Welsh go-ahead goal.
Tonight’s opponent, Czech Republic, will be no easy beat.
Jaroslav Silhavy’s men currently top Group E after a 6-2 thumping of Estonia was followed up by a brave 1-1 stalemate with Belgium.
West Ham striker Tomas Soucek continued goal-scoring form by netting a hattrick against Estonia and he will be the man Wales need to keep an eye on.
Wales has never defeated Czech Republic in an international meeting from three attempts and it’s tough to see that changing here.
The Czechs showed much better form against Belgium than Wales did and as such we will side with them in this crucial clash.
Prediction: Wales 1 Czech Republic 2
Suggested Bet: Czech Republic head to head at $2.50
Luxembourg vs. Portugal
March 31st 5:45am
Plenty of eyes will be fixated on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal come Wednesday morning when they do battle against Luxembourg in a Group A clash from Stade Josy Barthel.
Ronaldo was disallowed a clear match-winning goal in the 2-2 against Serbia over the weekend and the scenes after the game were wild.
The Portugese champion was seen tossing his captain’s armband and pleading with referees to call the goal but it was to avail and now Fernando Santos has the task of setting the sights on Luxembourg.
While betting suggests this game is likely to be a walkover in favour of Santos’ men, Luxembourg may prove to be a hard squad to crack.
Currently ranked 98 in the FIFA world rankings, Luxembourg shocked the 44th ranked Republic of Ireland last week with a last gasp 1-0 win thanks to an 85th minute strike from Gerson Rodrigues.
How Portugal handle the controversy of the weekend will go a long way into deciding this game.
No attention has been paid to Luxembourg heading into this one and might prove the catalyst to pinching a result against its more highly fancied opponent.
Prediction: Luxembourg 0 Portugal 0
Suggested Bet: Draw at $8
Slovakia vs. Russia
March 31st 5:45am
Group H leaders Russia go head to head with Slovakia from City Arena in Trnava on Wednesday morning.
Russia has, so far, made it a faultless start to its 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Malta and a 2-1 triumph against Slovenia.
Slovakia is yet to taste defeat either in its qualifiers thus far nor has it been able to swindle a victory after two fixtures have resulted in stalemates.
The Slovaks had to dig deep on Saturday after going down 2-0 to minnows Malta inside 20 minutes only to salvage a point thanks to 49th minute strike from substitute David Strelec and a 53rd minute goal from Milan Skriniar.
The shock result against Malta might just be the wake up call Slovakia need to get its qualifying campaign back on track but Russia will be the hardest team to beat in Group H.
Have to go with the in form nation and here.
Russia to make it three from three as it charges towards Qatar 2022.
Prediction: Slovakia 1 Russia 3
Suggested Bet: Russia head to head at $1.85
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: Russia head to head
Leg 2: Both teams to score
Combineds odds = $3.90
England vs. Poland
April 1st 5:45am
England face their toughest assignment yet in World Cup Qualifying Group I when they welcome Poland to Wembley Stadium on matchday three this Wednesday.
Both teams eased to comfortable victories at the weekend, with the Three Lions cruising past Albania 2-0 while Poland eased to a 3-0 win over Andorra.
Back in the team and back among the goals, Harry Kane made the net ripple and provided an assist – as he has done so often for Tottenham Hotspur this season – to propel England to a resounding 2-0 win on Albanian turf at the weekend.
The skipper headed home from Luke Shaw’s cross in the 38th minute before turning provider for the equally impressive Mason Mount in the second 45, as the Chelsea man doubled England’s advantage just after the hour mark to maintain the Three Lions’ perfect start to proceedings in Group I.
Keeping the momentum going from their routine 5-0 drubbing of San Marino, Gareth Southgate’s men are the only team in their group to take six points from a possible six so far, and they have also notched up 11 goals and conceded a grand total of zero in their last three games across all competitions.
Of course, that defensive resolve will be tested to the limit against Poland – even in the absence of the injured Robert Lewandowski – but England have come up trumps in 12 of their last 13 fixtures on home soil, scoring 44 goals and conceding just six in that impressive run.
Prediction: England 2 Poland 0
Suggested Bets:
England head to head at $1.30
Suggested Same Game Multi:
Leg 1: England head to head
Leg 2: R. Sterling to score anytime
Leg 3: Under 3.5 goals scored
Combined odds = $4.2
