World Cup Qualifying matches happen this week. In this blog, we go over a couple of Group A and a couple of Group D matches. Group A looks like Portugal’s to lose while Group D is France’s to lose. Check out analysis and free picks for Wednesday’s WC qualifying matches for Group A and Group D so you can make your bets against their World Cup odds.
UEFA Group A & D Opening Games Expert Analysis | 2021 FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup Qualifying Matches
- When: Wednesday, March 24
Group A
- Portugal / Azerbaijan
Ronaldo and his mates have no reason to lose Azerbaijan. The likely massive underdog has drawn in their last three matches. But the draws were against Luxembourg, Montenegro, and Slovenia. Azerbaijan doesn’t have the national system that Portugal does.
The Portuguese should be one of the favorites at next year’s World Cup. In addition to the great Ronaldo, Portugal boasts Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva. Expect at least a 2-goal victory.
Soccer Pick: Portugal
- Serbia / Republic of Ireland
World Cup Qualifying gives teams like Serbia and the Republic of Ireland a chance to secure bids. Portugal will win Group A, no doubt.
But the other squads in the group, Serbia, the Republic of Ireland, Azerbaijan, and Luxembourg all have a shot to stamp their WC ticket. This match means a ton. The loser is in a bad position while the winner could feel good even though they don’t have much chance of winning the group.
Serbia is in better form than the Republic of Ireland. The Serbs have drawn in 3-of-4. On Nov. 18 last year, Serbia dominated Russia 5-0. On the same day in their last, Ireland struggled to a 0-0 draw with Bulgaria.
Soccer Pick: Serbia
Group D
- Finland / Bosnia & Herzegovina
It doesn’t look as if Bosnia & Herzegovina has much of a chance versus the surprising Finnish. Bosnia has lost four in a row. Some of the losses make sense. Robert Lewandowski is Polish. So the 0-3 loss to Poland on Oct. 14 doesn’t surprise.
The losses to the Netherlands and Italy aren’t surprising either. But dropping a match 0-2 against Iran on Nov. 12 does make us wonder.
On Nov. 18, Wales beat Finland 3-1. Before than the Finnish had won four straight, including upsetting France 2-0 on Nov. 11. If Finland has improved since the loss to Wales, they should beat Bosnia.
Soccer Pick: Finland
- France / Ukraine
Ukraine’s squad hasn’t performed as well as it often does on the world stage. The Ukrainians are on a 3-match losing streak. On Nov. 11, Portland beat Ukraine 2-0. Then in their following match, Germany dropped the Ukrainians 3-1. Switzerland’s 3-0 beat down of Ukraine on Nov. 17 is the third loss.
The defending World Cup Champions go into this match on fire. Even though Finland upset France on Nov. 11, the French stormed back with wins against Portugal 1-0 and Sweden 4-2. Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann are ready. Don’t be surprised if France beats Ukraine by 2 to 3 goals.
Soccer Pick: France
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