The qualification playoffs for the 2026 World Cup get underway on Thursday, with Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland among those vying for a spot. Plenty of other top-class nations are in action, including Italy and Denmark.
One football tipster has picked out four tips on the World Cup coupon to create an acca which pays out at 11-1 with bet365.
Griffith’s World Cup Qualifying Acca
Racing Post football expert Jamie Griffith has picked:
- Czech Republic to beat Ireland
- Italy to beat Northern Ireland
- Poland to beat Albania
- Ukraine to beat Sweden
All bets must be placed by 7.45pm. Odds correct at time of publication.
Czech Republic vs Ireland Prediction
A year after the film about the pre-tournament fallout between Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane was released, Ireland’s bid to make a first World Cup since the 2002 chaos looks set to hit a roadblock in the Czech Republic. Their hosts have been exceptional on Czech soil of late, winning 13 and losing none of their last 16 home matches.
The quality of Patrik Schick and Tomas Soucek should help them ease past the Boys in Green.
Italy vs Northern Ireland Prediction
A 4-1 thrashing by Norway was a fitting end to a disappointing qualifying campaign for Italy but they had scored 18 goals in five straight wins under Gennaro Gattuso before that defeat and should find things much easier against Northern Ireland, who certainly don’t have a player such as Erling Haaland in their ranks.
The Green and White Army’s sole win in five away outings has come against minnows Luxembourg and Michael O’Neill, while a good manager, is unlikely to have the masterplan to prevent the Azzurri’s attackers from leading them to victory.
Poland vs Albania Prediction
Having hardly put a foot wrong in qualifying, being pipped to top spot only by a strong Netherlands side against who they enjoyed 1-1 draws with home and away, Poland look a far stronger outfit than Albania.
While the visitors are stubborn and capable of frustrating teams, the hosts can still call upon evergreen goal machine Robert Lewandowski and he could prove to be the difference in Warsaw.
Ukraine vs Sweden Prediction
After failing at Chelsea and West Ham, Graham Potter’s poor form has continued, with his reign as Sweden manager yielding a 4-1 defeat at Switzerland and 1-1 home draw with Slovenia thus far.
Given the continued absences of star striker Alexander Isak and chief creator Dejan Kulusevski, it is hard to see him improving that record against an experienced Ukraine side who have lost only to France while winning three of their last four games.