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World Cup Qualifiers preview: Home nations’ campaigns begin

2 years ago
| BY News Team

After a summer to remember where we saw England reach a final of a major tournament and Scotland compete in a major tournament for the first time in 23 years, they are back in action but this time for the World Cup. We take a look at the home nations fixtures this week…

Denmark v Scotland 

Denmark and Scotland had contrasting European Championship campaigns with Denmark reaching the semi-finals whilst Scotland were knocked out in the group stages, but Wednesday evening is the beginning of a new journey for both.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2016 where the Scots defeated the Danes 1-0 at Hampden Park thanks to a Matt Ritchie goal. A Scotland win is priced at 7/1. Unbelievably, there has never been a draw between these two sides in their previous 16 fixtures but if you believe this could be the one then that result is priced at 16/5. Lyndon Dykes has been involved in 14 goals in his last 14 league games for QPR and is priced at 10/3 to score anytime on Wednesday.

Since a 1-0 defeat to Montenegro in 2016, Denmark are unbeaten in their last 20 qualifiers for the World Cup/European Championships and they are priced as the 4/9 favourites to make it unbeaten in 21. Denmark’s main man Mikkel Damsgaard has been involved in eight goals in seven starts for Denmark in all competitions and is priced at 19/10 to find the back of the net anytime against the Scots.

Hungary v England

After a memorable summer for England at the European Championships, they are back in action against a talented Hungary side that caused numerous upsets this summer also, but can the Three Lions get the job done?

England are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Hungary having won 11 and drawn twice and they are strong 4/9 favourites to turn that into 12 wins on Thursday. England’s only loss in their last 50 qualifying games for a World Cup or European Championships came against Czech Republic in 2019. The Three Lions have won 40 of their last 50 games and drawing nine. Harry Kane has been involved in 30 goals in 21 appearances in World Cup/EUROs qualifying matches and is 3/4 to find the back of the net yet again.

Hungary have won their last two World Cup qualifying matches, beating San Marino and Andorra. The last time Hungary won three in a row was in 2009, when they won four in a row. They are priced as huge 13/2 underdogs to get all three points this time round. 

Lithuania v Northern Ireland

Having missed out on a place at the European Championships, Northern Ireland will be hoping to reach the 2022 World Cup and not have to experience the heartbreak of getting so close to a major tournament again.

Northern Ireland have only won one of their last 15 matches in all competitions drawing five and losing nine in this time. Although the record isn’t the best, Northern Ireland head into this one as 4/5 favourites. Lithuania will have to keep a close eye on Kyle Lafferty, who is expected to start on Thursday and is priced at 11/8 to score anytime in Lithuania.

Only San Marino (29) and Gibraltar (31) are on longer runs of consecutive defeats than Lithuania in qualifying matches with Lithuania having lost eight consecutive games. This run sees them priced at 11/1 underdogs to win on Thursday evening.

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