Norway v Slovakia: Haaland back for hosts
Norway 1.784/5 v Slovakia 5.39/2, the Draw 3.5551/20
17:00
Erling Haaland is a goal machine for his club as well as his country and could well make the difference in Oslo on Friday...
Dan Fitch says: "Norway might have been involved with the World Cup play-offs this week, but for an injury to their star striker Erling Haaland, towards the end of the qualifying campaign. Haaland is now back in the squad and with 12 goals in 15 appearances for his country, is likely to add a cutting edge to a Norway side that drew 0-0 against Latvia in their last home game.
"Slovakia are a pretty competitive side, who tend to only lose by a slim margin when defeated. Norway's price seems a little short in what seems likely to be a close game, so back Haaland to score the first goal at 21/10 on the Sportsbook to score the first goal. Of the last four games for Norway in which he's scored, Haaland has opened the scoring in three of them."
Dan's bet: Back Haaland to score the first goal for Norway against Slovakia at 3.185/40
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland: Goalless draw a real possibility
Luxembourg 3.412/5 v Northern Ireland 2.486/4, the Draw 3.185/40
19:15
Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Northern Ireland travel to Luxembourg on Friday evening and our previewer is expecting the visitors to find it quite tough.
Paul Robinson says: "These two teams haven't played each other since 2019, and while Northern Ireland won it 1-0, they had home advantage, and it could be argued that while they have regressed slightly since then, Luxembourg have improved.
"The layers on the Betfair Exchange still make the visitors the match favourites though, with their price currently trading at around the 2.47/5 mark. The draw is 3.02/1 and a home win is available to back at 3.412/5.
"The recent form of Rodrigues does concern me for the hosts, but I have this down as a low-scoring affair anyway. I think the draw is definitely the way to play this one."
Paul's bet: Back The Draw @ 3.02/1
Egypt v Senegal: Back Sadio v Sane stalemate
Egypt 2.727/4 v Senegal 3.5551/20, the Draw 2.789/5
19:30
Live on Mola TV
Liverpool's strikers face off again in this World Cup qualifier from the African section...
Paul Higham says: "Just two months after Mane's Senegal beat Salah's Egypt on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations final, they're at it again in this two-legged play-off.
"The first leg takes place at the Cairo International Stadium and despite having two of the best strikers in European football on the pitch it's set to be a cagey affair.
"Salah's Pharaohs drew all four of their knockout games at AFCON, winning one in extra-time, winning "two on penalties before losing that final via spot-kicks. All three of those games decided by penalties were 0-0 draws.
"Egypt are a cautious side by nature and teams can often do a number on Salah by doubling up and cutting off the supply line - he can often be left stranded up front with little help."
Paul's bet: Back the draw @ 2.89/5
France v Ivory Coast: World champs to keep it tight again
France 1.392/5 v Ivory Coast 9.28/1, the Draw 4.77/2
20:00
France have been impressive in defence recently and are a decent bet to start the year with a clean sheet in Paris...
Dan Fitch says: "France have won each of their last five games, which includes the victories against Belgium and Spain that saw them win the 2021 Nations League. Didier Deschamps has picked a strong squad and though he's likely to experiment a little, the odds for another French win do not look unrealistic.
It's been a while since Ivory Coast met European opposition, though when they last did back in 2020, they were able to draw 1-1 with Belgium. Though such an upset is not implausible, France have been keeping it tight of late, with clean sheets in each of their last two home games and in their most recent match away in Finland. You can back France to win to nil at 2.01/1.
Dan's bet: Back France win to nil @ 2.01/1