World Cup qualifiers are taking place around the world on Friday, featuring Erling Haaland’s Norway hosting Italy and a showdown between two of South America’s strongest teams.
These matches are bound to attract plenty of live betting interest with the European club season drawing to a close last weekend. The 2026 World Cup might feel a long way off for fans, but these end-of-season matches can’t be an afterthought for nations looking to secure their place in the most-watched single-sport tournament on the planet.
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Let’s take a look at some of the best football betting options on Friday night:
Norway vs Italy, Friday 7:45pm
- Italy have won three of their four matches against Norway since 2000. The teams haven’t faced off since 2015, however, and a lot has changed for both national teams since then.
- Norway are top of Group I in UEFA World Cup qualifying. They won 5-0 away to Romania and beat Israel 4-2 at a neutral venue.
- Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland already have two goals apiece in this qualifying campaign. Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick is the only player with more goals.
- The Lions are aiming to qualify for the a major competition for the first time since Euro 2000. Italy, having failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, are on their worst qualifying run in World Cup history.
- The Azzurri lost to Germany 5-4 on aggregate in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, leading to their qualifying campaign starting late.
- Italy’s Manuel Locatelli and Norway’s Kristian Thorstvedt are missing this international break through injury.
- Since June 2023, Spain are the only team to defeat Norway in a competitive match in Oslo.
- Italy’s form is patchy since winning the Euros in 2021. Several of their key players might be facing scars from Inter’s Champions League defeat.
Prediction: Norway to win and both teams to score (12/5). Norway 2-1 Italy.
Colombia vs Peru, Friday 9:30pm
- Colombia occupy the final automatic World Cup qualifying place with 20 points from their first 14 matches.
- Peru have lost eight of their 14 fixtures and sit five points off Venezuela, who are in the inter-confederation playoff place.
- Peru have only lost once in their last four matches against Colombia, including a draw when the sides met in September.
- Colombia are without Luis Sinisterra and Yerson Mosquera through injury. David Ospina is the most experienced player in the squad with 129 caps.
- The majority of Peru’s squad play in the Peruvian topflight with Oliver Sonne (Burnley) their only player currently in English football.
- Peru have lost all four of their away matches since the Copa America. Colombia have failed to win their last two home fixtures, drawing with Ecuador and Paraguay.
- Colombia have won eight of the last 14 meetings across all competitions and look well-placed to extend that run with Peru’s poor away record.
Prediction: Colombia -1.5 (6/5). Colombia 2-0 Peru.
Venezuela vs Bolivia, Friday 11pm
- With 15 points, Venezuela are only one point ahead of Bolivia. The hosts are in the lone inter-confederation playoff place as of June 4.
- A win could move Venezuela within two points off sixth-placed Colombia. Victory for Bolivia would see them overtake their opponents.
- Bolivia beat Venezuela 4-0 in September. They had 19 shots to Venezuela’s 12 in El Alto.
- Following a draw with Uruguay and defeat to Peru, Bolivia have only claimed two of the last 15 available points.
- Venezuela got the better of Peru 1-0 in their last match to end a run of nine fixtures without a victory across all competitions.
- Both teams have scored in seven of Venezuela’s last eight matches.
- Bolivia have only been involved in two draws since March 2024.
- BTTS seems like the safest bet for this fixture, particularly with odds of 7/5 available.
Prediction: Both teams to score (7/5). Venezuela 1-1 Bolivia.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*
