WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: The Ultra previews the World Cup Qualifiers as the final International Break of 2025 begins on Thursday with the focus on England v Serbia and Republic of Ireland v Portugal both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
ENGLAND V SERBIA
7.45pm The World Cup Qualifiers return on Betdaq Betting Exchange in the latest International Break! I know we’ve been through this before, but the September, October and November breaks for International football was far too much too early in the season – thankfully FIFA have corrected this going forward. We finish the World Cup Qualifying during this International Break though – and we are going to have some massive games over the next few days, and some meaningless ones. We’re also going to have a mix of massive games for one side and meaningless for another. We kick off the action in Group K with England hosting Serbia, and this is a classic example of a meaningless game for one side and a massive one for another. England have been perfect in this Group – as you would expect given the level of opposition – and they are already certain of qualifying. For Serbia though it’s a different story – they don’t even sit in second at the moment; they are one point behind Albania which would be a big shock if things stayed that way. Everyone would have expected England first and Serbia second – now they are under immense pressure and have the most difficult game ahead of them.
The positive for Serbia is Albania have to play England on the final matchday; however second place could well already been decided should Albania beat Andorra and England beat Serbia here. If you were to believe the betting markets; both of those outcomes are very likely too. Obviously England have faced a bit of criticism because they haven’t been putting sides to the sword in this Group, but the media saying “you’re not winning well enough” after 2-0 or 3-0 wins isn’t the worst thing to face. Tuchel has also had a pop at the fans for the atmosphere – it’ll be interesting to see the noise level here given it’s essentially another meaningless game for England. It’s no surprise that they come into the game as the red-hot favourites though. England are trading 1.32 with Serbia 13.0 and the draw is 5.9 at the time of writing. Serbia really haven’t been playing well in qualifying thus far, so it’s hard to see past an England win here – we’ll have to look around the side markets for some value and I like the 1.88 on England to cover a 1.5 goal handicap. They put five past Serbia earlier in the Group away from home, and they can record another smooth win here.
The Ultra Says:
One point win England -1.5 goals to beat Serbia at 1.88 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/EngSer
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND V PORTUGAL
7.45pm We move over to Group F to finish Thursday night as the Republic of Ireland host Portugal. This is the start of a massive few days for Ireland as they try to finally get something good to happen. Everyone would have been expecting Portugal to top this Group and they are five points clear with two games left. The interesting thing about this Group was who would finish second, and at the moment it’s wide open with Hungary on five points, Ireland on four and even Armenia are involved on three points after beating Ireland earlier in the Group. Ireland have been quite a poor side for a while now, but they do have two massive games to try get into the Playoffs. On paper, things couldn’t be more difficult – Portugal here and then away to Hungary on the final matchday. It could easily be put to bed after this game too should Portugal win and Hungary win in Armenia – both of those outcomes are trading odds on! It’s no surprise to see Portugal come into this game as the odds on favourites given how lacklustre Ireland have been lately – they’ve really struggled to create good quality chances for a while now.
Portugal are trading 1.35 with the Republic of Ireland 10.0 and the draw if 5.8 at the time of writing. Ireland did manage to stop Portugal from winning here in World Cup 2022 qualifying. Portugal were in control of the Group; drew 0-0 with Ireland here on the second last matchday and then we had that 90th minute winner for Serbia away to Portugal on the final matchday to put them through the Playoffs. They would have had to go through Italy, but then North Macedonia shocked them in the Playoff Semi-Finals! Playing the bigger teams tends to suit Ireland because they can put XI men behind the ball and they aren’t under pressure to control possession or create chances. It’s likely Ireland can frustrate Portugal here to be honest, and Under 2.5 goals looks nice value at 2.32. I really felt we’d see a more even market there; another option has to be Both Teams Not To Score at 1.85 with is effectively a Portugal clean sheet, but I prefer the Unders option at the odds.
The Ultra Says:
Two points win Under 2.5 goals at 2.32 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/IrePor
