Thursday's World Cup Qualifier Tips: Get 3/1 on France & why a 4/1 draw in Dublin could land

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Armenia v Hungary

17:00 kick-off

A win could be enough for Hungary to grab a play-off spot with Ireland facing Portugal in this group, and they shouldn't have too many problems as 8/151.53 favourites. It's been an odd campaign so far for the Magyars, who've scored twice in every game but won just once, 2-0 in the reverse fixture with Armenia.

That was also their only clean sheet of the group, and with Armenia only scoring in one game so far, and in just two of seven World Cup qualifiers, Hungary look well set for a rare clean sheet.

Azerbaijan v Iceland

17:00 kick-off

Iceland hammered Azerbaijan 5-0 in the home tie - they've not won since but a 2-2 draw with France last time out was a great result. They're 1/21.50 with Azerbaijan 5/16.00 - who did manage a draw with Ukraine in their only other home game so far.

Just one win in seven isn't great form for Iceland as such heavy favourites, but Azerbaijan have gone 14 games without a win, losing 11, so the visitors should be able to grab the points. Plus with four of Iceland's last five away matches and five of eight Azerbaijan home games seeing both teams score we should add that in for a decent return.

Norway v Estonia

17:00 kick-off

Norway will surely make it seven wins from seven as quite laughable odds of 1/501.02 to beat Estonia - who have given them their toughest game so far in a 1-0 winin Tallinn in June. Everything points to a final game decided with Italy, although having won 11-1 and 5-1 in the last two games they hold a huge goal difference advantage.

So this may be a case of get a few goals early and then Erling Haaland can have an early bath and prepare for the Italians - but he's 1/71.14 to score in however long he plays on Thursday, such is his form of late, and should notch a couple before taking a breather, in what should be something similar to Estonia's 5-0 defeat in Italy. 

Andorra v Albania

19:45 kick-off

Albania are on the brink of a play-off spot as they chase their first ever World Cup, and they could confirm it here with an expected win at 1/51.20 coupled with a Serbia defeat in England. 

The hosts have just a point and three goals in the campaign - all of those coming in the last two games - but they've been stubborn opposition, with four of their games being level at half-time and only losing 1-0 twice. But they've nothing to play for while Albania are chasing history, so expect something similar to the 3-0 win in their first meeting. 

England v Serbia

19:45 kick-off
Live on ITV 1, STV, UTV & ITVX

An interesting one for already qualified England against a Serbia side desperate to stay in the running for a play-off spot - a draw will mathematically keep them in it but victory at Wembley will give them every chance, with Albania to play the Three Lions in their final game.

Thomas Tuchel needs to decide on his World Cup squad though, and having already proven he's not afraid to drop the big names his players have plenty of motivation, so you'd still expect that quality to tell for the 1/41.25 favourites.

Scoring has been a big issue for Serbia, with just seven goals in their six games and all of them coming against Andorra and Latvia, but they've got forward talent and being so desperate for a result they'll keep pushing even if behind, so can finally get a goal against one of the big boys. 

France v Ukraine

19:45 kick-off
Live on Amazon Prime PPV

A bit of a stumble from France last time with a 2-2 draw in Iceland but that should just sharpen them up for Ukraine, with a 1/71.14 home win booking their spot at World Cup 2026. In truth a draw will probably do, but with Ukraine needing to win to stand a chance of pinching top spot then a draw's pretty unlikely.

Ukraine will give it a go after seven goals scored in back-to-back wins so will carry a threat, but that's dangerous with the counter attacking skills France have - including Michael Olise who scored in the first fixture and is due another goal involvement.

Rep Ireland v Portugal

19:45 kick-off
Live on Amazon Prime PPV

Portugal needed a stoppage time goal to break Ireland's hearts in the reverse fixture, but Hungary did something similar to delay Cristiano Ronaldo booking another World Cup appearance last time out. The visitors are 3/101.30 but this will likely be a tight one - all of Ireland's games this year have only had a goal in them.

I don't think either side will be too gung-ho here, even though just three Portugal clean sheets in 14 gives 8/19.00 shots Ireland plenty of hope. Instead, expect a similar tight game to the first one between these two - with the draw at 4/15.00 well in play here as it'd basically do for Portugal with Armenia to come last.

They'll go in with a clean sheet mentality and that could be tough to break down for Ireland.

Moldova v Italy

19:45 kick-off
Live on Amazon Prime PPV

Italy continue to chase Norway ahead of their final-game showdown but need a huge win against bottom side Moldova to try and even out the big goal difference gap - which they should put a dent in against a team that's conceded 26 goals so far including 11 against Norway.

The Azzurri only won the home fixture 2-0 but the hosts are done and dusted after a long campaign and Italy need goals - plenty of them.

Now read Dave Tindall's England v Serbia preview here.