The first round of UEFA World Cup Qualifying concludes on Tuesday. In the meantime, there are some high-stakes matches. So, for every match on Monday and Tuesday with realistic qualification and playoff implications, we’ll share our best bet.
Groups A, C, and H are still very much undecided, and the top two teams in each of those groups are facing off. So, the biggest matches to pay attention to over the next couple of days are Germany vs Slovakia, Scotland vs Denmark, and Austria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Here are our predictions for those UEFA World Cup Qualifying matches and a few others:
Germany vs Slovakia – Monday, 2:45 pm EST – Leipzig, Germany
Germany (-415) and Slovakia (+1100) are level on points heading into Monday’s UEFA World Cup Qualifying finale. The Germans do have a superior goal difference, which means they just need a draw (+525) to advance to the World Cup.
However, Slovakia did win the reverse fixture 2-0 and won’t be short on belief here. Since that defeat, though, Germany have picked up four wins in a row while conceding just one goal. Germany’s injury crisis seems not to have hurt them too much.
Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, and Benjamin Henrichs have missed all of the qualifiers. Both Nico Schlotterbeck and Joshua Kimmich missed the Luxembourg match and it’s unclear whether they’ll be able to suit up.
Still, rising Premier League star Nick Woltemade (+105 to score) has also found the net three times in his last two appearances for Germany. The Newcastle man will be key here as well.
Even with some notable absentees, Germany have more quality than Slovakia and have the benefit of playing at home. Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany should be able to get the job done here without conceding.
Best Bet: Germany and Both Teams to Score: “No” (+105)
Scotland vs Denmark – Tuesday, 2:45pm EST – Glasgow, Scotland
Scotland (+250) could have been in the driver’s seat in Group C if not for a 3-2 defeat to Greece on Saturday. Now, they’re one point behind Denmark heading into Tuesday’s meeting in Glasgow. Denmark (+110) also succumbed to a 2-2 draw at home against last-placed Belarus on Saturday, which was frankly embarrassing.
So, both teams are looking to bounce back here, and I think Denmark’s wastefulness in front of goal could really come back to bite them here. Scotland managed to hold Denmark scoreless in their last match, back in September.
Back Scotland, who have scored twice in each of their last four games, to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998.
Best Bet: Scotland (+250)
Austria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Tuesday, 2:45 pm EST – Vienna, Austria
The last of the direct group deciders is between Austria (-285) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (-800) in Vienna on Tuesday. Austria just need to avoid defeat here to directly qualify for their first World Cup since 1998, like Scotland.
Bosnia won’t go down without a fight, though, and they’ve scored in every qualifier they’ve played during this UEFA World Cup Qualifying cycle. This World Cup run could be the last hurrah for legendary striker Edin Dzeko, who opened up Bosnia’s account in the 3-1 win over Romania on Saturday.
Still, even if Bosnia don’t win, they and all the other second-place teams can qualify by winning March’s playoff.
Austria’s backline is not infallible, and with Bosnia needing to be aggressive to secure all three points, I think that both teams will get on the scoresheet in this one.
Best Bet: Both Teams to Score (+120)
Wales vs North Macedonia – Tuesday, 2:45pm EST – Cardiff, Wales
I would argue that this is, by far, the most important game not involving potential group winners this week. Wales (-175) and North Macedonia (+500) are vying for second place in Group J behind Belgium. Level on points, North Macedonia, who are unbeaten through seven games, have a better goal difference.
Due to their UEFA Nations League standings, both teams will qualify for the playoff, regardless. However, whoever loses this game will be placed in pot 4 of the draw and will have to face a much stronger opponent.
North Macedonia are no stranger to playing spoiler. They managed to defeat Italy in a 2022 World Cup Playoff and drew twice against Belgium. I think they’re capable of avoiding defeat here and keeping this a low-scoring dogfight.
Go with North Macedonia to win or draw.
Best Bet: North Macedonia to Win or Draw (+135)
Spain vs Turkey – Tuesday, 2:45pm EST – Seville, Spain
Spain have virtually sealed qualification. All they need to do is not lose to Turkey by seven goals or more at home on Tuesday.
La Furia Roja have been faultless in UEFA World Cup Qualifying so far. They are 5-0 with 19 goals scored and zero conceded. They aren’t going to take their foot off the gas here, against a Turkey side they defeated 6-0 just two months ago.
Turkey have some talented players, but I don’t they have it in them to pull off a huge upset here. In fact, I think Spain will close out WCQ with a win and sixth straight clean sheet.
Best Bet: Spain and Both Teams to Score: “No” (+125)
Kosovo vs Switzerland – Tuesday, 2:45pm EST – Pristina, Kosovo
Kosovo (+400) have outperformed expectations more than any other team in UEFA World Cup Qualifying. The small nation of 1.6 million picked up a 2-0 victory over Slovenia on the road on Saturday to guarantee a place in the playoffs, at the very least.
Heading into Tuesday’s match against Switzerland (-155), Kosovo are three points and 11 goals behind the visitors. So, it would take a 6-0 Kosovo win to qualify for the World Cup automatically, and that’s almost certainly not happening.
Switzerland haven’t lost yet in nine matches this year and destroyed Sweden 4-1 on Saturday. Granit Xhaka is still one of the world’s most underrated midfielders, and Switzerland managed a 4-0 win in the reverse fixture.
Keep this one simple and bet on the visitors to win this one as well.
Best Bet: Switzerland (-155)
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