Sports

The Scout: World Cup Qualifiers

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Scotland vs Israel

Scotland are sitting second in Group F on 11 points and come up against third placed Israel who sit just below them on 10 points. A win here for either team will all but secure a top-two finish in their group.

After qualifying for their first major tournament since 1998 at Euro 2020, Scotland are getting ever so close to continuing to defy expectations by securing a spot in next years World Cup. A victory in this match will put the Scots on the brink of qualification.

Steve Clarke has the Tartan Army playing some fantastic football as they have only lost one of their sixe World Cup qualifying matches. Clarke’s men battled bravely to edge Austria 1-0 last time out and even in their away fixture with Denmark they gave a decent account of themselves, only losing 2-0 to a side who battered Israel 5-0.

Defense is where Scotland will shine in this matchup with Israel as they have only allowed five goals throughout their whole qualifying campaign. Andy Robertson (Liverpool) and Kieran Tierney (Arsenal) have been instrumental in the defensive structure of Scotland and will be at their best once again in this must win match.

I expect Scotland to be far too strong defensively for Israel who will struggle to break down the Tartan Army and will struggle to find goal scoring opportunities. Scotland love making their matches cagey and will focus on defense first before finding success on the counterattack.

Suggested Bet: Scotland (Match Result) @ $2*

Czech Republic vs Wales

With group-leaders Belgium stretching their lead and Belarus and Estonia disappearing down the table, it leaves Czech Republic and Wales to battle it out for the runners-up spot in Group E, making this one of the most crucial games of the year for both sides.

Unfortunately for Wales they will be without star player and talisman Gareth Bale which is an immense blow. Wales have struggled to score goals and it was an inspired Bale who scored a hattrick in their 3-2 win over Belarus, with his absence Wales will certainly struggle once again.

Czech Republic may have only won two of their last seven games but at home they are unbeaten in six and have conceded just three goals in the process, including limiting Belgium to just a single goal in March. I expect their defensive efforts to suffocate the Welsh side and without Gareth Bale it will be extremely unlikely for Wales to find any opportunity to score.

Suggested Bet: Czech Republic Win to Nil @ $2.40*

Turkey vs Norway

Group G is an extremely exciting group with three teams, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Norway all a chance to qualify for the World Cup with a top two finish.

Norway and The Netherlands are tied on 13 points while Turkey sits just behind them on 11 points, a win for the Turkish side could see them overtake the Norwegians and put them in a fantastic position to qualify for Qatar.

Although Turkey was dismantled by the Dutch 6-1, they will come into this match full of confidence as the opportunity to qualify for the World Cup is there for them to take. Offensively the Turkish side have flourished scoring 16 goals across six qualifying matches, only the Netherlands have scored more goals during this campaign.

The biggest difference in this match between these two tightly contested sides is the loss of Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland who has ruled himself out of this match due to a thigh injury. Haaland is arguably one of the best strikers in the world and his absence severely cripples Norway’s attacking output.

Without Haaland, Norway is severely handicapped and their whole approach to their attack will have to completely change as he is the key to their strategy. Turkey have had no trouble scoring goals and will find many opportunities in this match while Norway simply will not be able to match their firepower.

Suggested Bet: Turkey (Match Result) @ $2*

*Odds correct as at 5pm, 8th October 2021.

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