World Cup Qualifiers and Friendlies: Opta stats and best bets

World Cup Qualifiers Opta Stats and Tips

Wales v Bosnia: Back Bellamy's men in bet builder

Click here for Wales v Bosnia odds
Thursday 19:45, Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC1 Wales

Opta Stat:

Wales have won five of their last six home competitive matches, scoring 20 goals and netting at least two goals in each of their last five on home soil. Their 7-1 win over North Macedonia in November was the first time they'd scored seven in a game since October 1978 in a 7-0 win over Malta.

Italy v Northern Ireland: Back Azzurri to win to nil

Click here for Italy v NI odds
Thursday 19:45, Live on BBC3 and BBC1 NI

Opta Stat:

Italy haven't conceded a single goal across their last seven games against Northern Ireland (W5 D2) since a Billy McAdams strike in a 3-2 Italy win in April 1961 in a friendly. Northern Ireland have lost all seven of their away games against Italy by an aggregate score of 16-2, failing to score in six of those seven visits.

Czechia v Rep of Ireland: Back the hosts to maintain strong record

Click here for Czechia v ROI odds
Thursday 19:45, Live on RTE2

Opta Stat:

Republic of Ireland have won one of nine away matches in all competitions (D1 L7) against Czechia (including games as Czechoslovakia), a 2-1 win in November 1967 in a European Championship qualifier. They have lost each of their last five visits there since that win.

Get 11/112.00 on the World Cup qualifier treble

Betfair are offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Football ACCAs and Bet Builders this week. You can back the Opta-powered treble at around 11/112.00 using the bet button below. 

Click here to read our World Cup Play-offs Explainer, including fixtures and odds for each nation to win their Path.

International football friendlies

England v Uruguay: Back hosts to keep record clean sheet

Click here for England v Uruguay odds
Friday 19:45, Live on ITV

Opta Stat:

England have kept a clean sheet in 11 of their last 12 matches, including the last six in a row since a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June 2025. Another clean sheet in this game will equal the Three Lions' record for consecutive clean sheets in June/July 2021, a run of seven.

Check out the England Squad World Cup 2026 Latest