Qatar World Cup 2022 European Qualifiers Matchday 9 Top Betting Picks (Archive)
The UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying odds are now available as we are back with our favorite international expert soccer advice and free betting predictions. Read on for this week’s World Cup Qualifiers matchday 9 betting advice, soccer analysis, and soccer betting picks.
The Republic of Ireland vs. Portugal
Thursday, November 11, 2021 – 02:45 PM EST at Aviva Stadium
Nothing but Pride on the Line for Ireland
World Cup Qualification hasn’t delivered a comfortable ride for Stephen Kenny’s Ireland squad. This week’s matchday 9 meeting with Portugal cannot provide a Qatar 2022 World Cup position - no matter what the outcome is.
Visitors Portugal are hunting to reposition themselves in the first position of Group A when traveling to Dublin. And it’s a no-brainer that all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo following his record-breaking performance during their 2-1 reverse fixture success over Ireland back in September.
Outside of a surprising draw versus Group A leaders Serbia, Fernando Santo’s side has run riot against the remaining teams – winning five of their six qualifying games.
Heading into Thursday’s meeting with Ireland, Portugal boasts five consecutive victories in all competitions with an impressive 16 goals netted – and an impressive six wins from their previous seven WCQ away games doesn’t bode well for the hosts.
Final Thoughts
Ireland has undoubtedly turned their fortunes around during the previous few months. Still, Stephen Kenny’s efforts won’t be reasonable enough to adjust their qualification hopes – taking his team six matches before claiming their first win in Group A. The boys in green have left it too late to surpass a group position any higher than third place.
Santos will have the weekend meeting with Serbia in mind, but the Portugal manager should field his strongest XI on Thursday regardless.
With one squad playing for pride and the other vouching for a 1st place finish, backing any result besides a Portugal win at BMR’s best sportsbooks doesn’t seem viable. Portugal hasn’t lost a World Cup Qualification fixture since 2016, and I’d expect more than one goal from the likes of Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, and Bernado Silva.
The Republic of Ireland vs. Portugal Score Prediction: Ireland 0 – Portugal 2
Soccer Pick: Portugal Half-Time/Full-Time (-105) [1.95] at Intertops (visit our Intertops Review) [1.05u wager returns 1u]
Greece vs. Spain
Thursday, November 11, 2021 - 02:45 PM EST at Athens Olympic Stadium
Crucial WCQ Encounter in Attica
Whilst Spain is chasing Sweden for the first-place position in Group B, Greece hopes to spoil the Spaniards party by edging within one point of their qualifying rivals.
It’s a make-or-break situation for Greece and their World Cup Qualifying efforts, trailing 2nd place Spain by four points with just two fixtures remaining; anything less than a 3-point takeaway will leave the Greeks eliminated from the competition.
La Roja understands that they’ll guarantee a top-two finish by avoiding defeat, but their qualification chances will hang in the balance without a win or draw as they’ll face Sweden on the final matchday of WCQ.
Greece was fortunate to walk away from Spain with one point during the reverse fixture, but a severe list of injuries on their opponents starting eleven provides a glimmer of hope for the hosts.
Final Thoughts
John van ’t Schip’s team has lost any hope of securing automatic qualification. Still, an undefeated home record spanning 15 games and two years should threaten their Spanish visitors.
It’s a rare occurrence that you’ll witness Spain playing catchup to Sweden (or most squads) in a World Cup Qualifiers competition. But even if Greece achieve the unthinkable, Spain’s Nations League ranking will assist them into the playoffs with or without a top-two finish in Group B.
We shouldn’t anticipate Enrique’s team giving that scenario a thought, and with such a critical fixture in wait, I favor a small number of goals being scored with a solid Spanish defense in place.
Greece vs. Spain Score Prediction: Greece 1 – Spain 1
Soccer Pick: Under 2.5 Goals (-143) [1.70] at Intertops [1.43u wager returns 1u of profit]
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