World Cup Qualifiers preview: Home Nations in action again

The international break draws to a close this week with another set of World Cup Qualifiers with all four home nation sides back in action and all will be hoping of ending this international break on the strong foot. We take a look at the fixtures.

England to make it three from three?

Wednesday evening sees the two group favourites face off at Wembley Stadium as England host Poland, but can England make it three wins from three this international break?

In the last week, Gareth Southgate’s side have swept aside both San Marino and Albania without conceding a goal in the process. England have a very strong record against Poland having won eight, drawn four and lost only one of their fixtures over the years. The last time these two sides faced each other was back in 2013 where England came out 2-0 victors and the Three Lions are the strong 1/4 favourites to collect all three points once again.

Poland were struck with some bad news earlier this week after star man Robert Lewandowski decided to withdraw from the squad and return back to Germany. On top of this news, Poland are yet to defeat England away from home. Although they have lost seven of their nine away fixtures against England, Poland currently sit at 11/1 underdogs to win at Wembley.

Can magic Gareth provide against the Czech’s?

It has been 14 years since Wales last faced Czech Republic with the game ending in a 0-0 draw at the Millennium Stadium but who will come out on top this time round?

Wales are currently on a magnificent run at home in qualifying fixtures with the Dragons unbeaten in their last 15 games with their last loss coming against Ireland in 2017. Gareth Bale has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 18 starts for Wales providing an assist in each of his last three appearances. The Spurs playmaker is currently priced at 6/4 to score anytime on Tuesday evening.

Czech Republic’s main aim on Tuesday is to finally put their woeful away record against Wales to rest. The Czechs have only won one away match against Wales in seven attempts with that win coming in 1971. They are currently priced at 6/4 to defeat the hosts, while also being priced at 9/2 to win and both teams to score.

Scotland to cruise past the Faroe Islands?

After back-to-back draws against Austria and Israel, Scotland will be hoping to finally pick up all three points on Wednesday evening as they host Faroe Islands at Hampden Park.

Scotland have never lost an international fixture against the Faroe Islands, winning seven and drawing two of nine previous meetings and they will be hoping to extend this record on Wednesday. The Tartan Army are unsurprisingly 1/9 heavy favourites heading into this fixture. Ryan Fraser is on a brilliant run having scored in both of his last two appearances for Scotland and he is currently priced at 11/8 to find the back of the net once again.

The Faroe Island’s recent qualifying form is not the greatest with the side losing 11 of their last 13 fixtures, so it does not come as a shock to see them priced at 28/1 to win the game. The only time the Faroe Islands have faced a home nation in World Cup qualifying was ahead of the 1994 World Cup, when they lost both games against Wales.

Northern Ireland to end their Bulgaria woes?

Both Northern Ireland and Bulgaria head into this fixture out of form with both sides winless in their last four matches in all competitions.

Northern Ireland are currently coming off the back of a 2-0 loss to Italy and a 2-1 loss to the USA on Sunday, but they still head into this fixture as 19/20 favourites. The last time Northern Ireland beat Bulgaria was back in 1979 and since then, they have all three games with the most recent being a 1-0 home loss in 2008. Can Northern Ireland get revenge on Wednesday?

Like the hosts, Bulgaria are coming off a 2-0 loss to Italy and a 3-1 loss to Switzerland and currently sit rock bottom of the group, but they will be hoping to collect all three points and climb the table this time round. If you believe that Bulgaria can cause an upset on Wednesday, you can get them at 7/2.

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