Lithuania vs Italy

Italy will look to extend their unbeaten competitive record against Lithuania to seven matches (W4, D2) when the two nations meet at the LFF Stadionas in their World Cup qualifier.

A 1-0 away loss to Switzerland in their opening World Cup Qualifying match means none of Lithuania’s last five games overall have ended in a draw (W2, L3), three of which saw the winner on the day keep a clean sheet. Well aware of their slim chances to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Lithuanians have acted accordingly in their recent World Cup qualifiers. Indeed, they have lost eight of the last 12 (W1, D3), scoring a miserly average of 0.5 goals per game while conceding an average of 1.83. Another huge concern for Valdas Urbonas’ men is a disastrous home form that has seen them fail to win any of their previous 13 competitive home fixtures (D3, L10), letting in 2+ goals in eight of those defeats.

Meanwhile, Italy’s road to redemption for missing out on the FIFA World Cup 2018 started with back-to-back triumphs against Northern Ireland and Bulgari, both of which came via a 2-0 scoreline and saw the Italians score inside the final ten minutes of the first half. Curiously, Roberto Mancini’s men are now on a four-game winning streak in all competitions, with each success in that spread of fixtures coming by the same 2-0 score. Furthermore, ‘Gli Azzurri’ head into proceedings as overwhelming favorites to claim three points, having racked up a remarkable 24-match unbeaten run ahead of the kick-off (W19, D5). Away from home, the visitors have kept six consecutive clean sheets in various competitions (W5, D1), which has been the case in each of their three competitive visits to Lithuania (W2, D1).

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Spain vs Kosovo

Estadio Olímpico is the venue as Spain and Kosovo meet for the first time in a World Cup Qualifying fixture.

Spain staged a late second-half comeback to beat Georgia 2-1 away from home on Matchday 2 and kick-start their World Cup Qualifying campaign following a dismal 1-1 home draw with Greece in their Group B curtain-raiser. The Spaniards are now undefeated in 65 World Cup qualifiers (W51, D14), a run that started in April 1993! Since the beginning of their qualifying series for World Cup 1998, ‘La Furia Roja’ have returned a resounding +125 goal difference from qualifiers for the final tournament (GF:153, GA:28). Moreover, since suffering a 3-2 home defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League back in October 2018, Luis Enrique’s men have racked up a ten-match unbeaten streak on home soil (W9, D1), keeping eight clean sheets in the process. Ruthless in the front third, they scored an average of 3.4 goals per game in that sequence.

Meanwhile, participating in only their second World Cup Qualifying campaign as a sovereign nation, Kosovo started the series with a whimper rather than a bang, succumbing to a 3-0 loss to Sweden at home. As a result, they have now lost ten of their 11 World Cup Qualifying fixtures (D1), with that lone draw coming away to Finland in September 2016. But when the ‘Dardanians’ falter, it tends to be painful and ugly, as seven of their ten defeats in the World Cup qualifiers came by a 2+ goal margin, with all but two seeing Kosovo fail to get on the scoresheet (GF:2, GA:26). Away from home, Bernard Challandes’ men have gone winless in eight matches overall (D2, L6) since beating Bulgaria 3-2 in the Euro Qualifying back in June 2019, conceding over 1.5 goals on five occasions.

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Germany vs North Macedonia

Germany and North Macedonia are set to face-off against each other at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena as part of their World Cup Qualifying series.

Germany started their World Cup Qualifying journey with consecutive wins over Iceland and Romania, extending their unbeaten streak in qualifying fixtures for the World Cup finals to 33 (W29, D4). Indeed, they have now won 18 consecutive World Cup qualifiers in a row, returning an intimidating +57 goal difference from those matches (GF:65, GA:8). Additionally, ‘Die Mannschaft’ have only lost once in their last 12 competitive outings (W8, D3), courtesy of a 6-0 thrashing to Spain the UEFA Nations League back in November 2020. If they win here, Joachim Low’s men are likely to do it in a stunning fashion, as eight of their last ten competitive triumphs yielded a winning margin of 2+ goals. Furthermore, the hosts have netted precisely three goals in four of their previous five home games overall (W3, D2), scoring exactly twice before half-time in the last two.

Meanwhile, the visitors bounced back from a 3-2 away defeat to Romania on Matchday 1 to dismantle Liechtenstein 5-0 at home last time out. Delivering action from the restart, the Macedonians have registered six of their seven World Cup Qualifying goals scored thus far in the second half of play, finding the net at least once beyond the 80th minute in each outing. Away from home, however, the ‘Red Lynxes’ have picked up just one win in their last eight competitive games (D2, L4), conceding 2+ goals in half (4) of those outings. But they could pose an attacking threat here, nonetheless, knowing they have got on the scoresheet in 12 of their previous 13 matches overall (W7, D3, L3), scoring over 1.5 goals in each of the last three.

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England vs Poland

Wembley Stadium is the venue, as England and Poland face off in a Group I 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

England got off to a fantastic start, winning their two Group I fixtures against San Marino and Albania by an aggregate score of 7-0. That start is part of their brilliant run in the qualifying series that has seen the ‘Three Lions’ lose just one of their last 49 World Cup/Euro qualifying outings. Additionally, Gareth Southgate’s men are enjoying a resounding 29-game unbeaten home streak in qualifying matches for major tournaments (W26, D3), notably winning each of the last 19! In turn, going back to 1989, the hosts have come out victorious in all seven competitive home H2Hs by an aggregate score of 17-3, scoring at least twice in each meeting. They are now betting favorites to claim another triumph, having won each of their last three home fixtures overall by over 2.5 goals ‘to nil.’

On the other hand, Poland saw the opener scored within 30 minutes and netted precisely three goals at full-time in both of their opening Group I matches but managed to win just one (W1, D1). Encouragingly, the ‘White and Reds’ have suffered only three reverses in their previous 32 games in World Cup/EURO qualifiers (W23, D6), scoring over 1.5 goals in each of the last six (2.66 on average). Much of their attacking output will hinge on Robert Lewandowski, who has netted nine goals in his last nine starts for the national team. Worryingly, though, Paulo Sosa’s men have performed in patches on the road lately, frustratingly falling behind in four of their last five away matches (W2, D1, L2). Furthermore, Poland have secured just a single victory in 19 encounters against England (D7, L11), courtesy of a 2-0 home win in a World Cup qualifier in June 1973.

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Bosnia & Herzegovina vs France

Out-of-sorts Bosnia & Herzegovina welcome FIFA’s #2 ranked nation France to the Stadion Grbavica in their second qualifier for the World Cup 2022.

Coming off the back of a goalless draw with Costa Rica in an international friendly, Bosnia will be looking to post their first win in the ongoing World Cup Qualifying campaign following a 2-2 stalemate away to Finland on Matchday 1. Easier said than done, considering the Bosnians failed to win any of their four H2Hs in the 21st century (D2, L2), scoring under 1.5 goals on each occasion. It gets worse for the ‘Dragons’ as they take the field after failing to pick up a victory in ten consecutive matches overall (D5, L5), drawing a blank in half of them. What’s more, Ivaylo Petev’s men have not scored in any of their last four home outings (D2, L2), all of which featured the identical 0-0 half-time scoreline.

Meanwhile, France eased past minnows Kazakhstan 2-0 on the road last time out to put their World Cup Qualifying campaign in motion following a dismal 1-1 home draw with Ukraine on Matchday 1. Since going down 2-0 to Turkey in their European Championship qualifier back in June 2016, ‘Les Bleus’ have put together 15 competitive games without losing (W12, D3), with 58.33% of their victories in that time coming by at least a two-goal margin. The reigning World Cup title-holders have only lost one of their last 15 World Cup Qualifying fixtures (W10, D4), notably scoring 2+ goals in each of their ten wins in that stretch. Another boost to their confidence is an imperious away form that has seen Didier Deschamps’ men post seven successive away wins in all competitions ahead of this trip, registering a shutout in six of those triumphs.

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Wales vs Czech Republic

World Cup Qualifying Matchday 3 gets underway this midweek, as Wales and the Czech Republic go head-to-head at the Principality Stadium.

Wales started Matchday 1 with a 3-1 away defeat to Belgium, but they come into this encounter on the back of a 1-0 win over Mexico in an international friendly. Since succumbing to a 3-1 loss to Denmark in November 2018, the ‘Dragons’ have gone unbeaten in seven competitive home matches in a row (W6, D1), with four of those six victories yielding a narrow one-goal margin. Overall, Rob Page’s men have not lost any of their last 11 home games (W9, D2), mainly prevailing in tight and low-scoring contests. Indeed, ten fixtures during that sequence saw Wales register a first-half shutout, with nine featuring under 2.5 total goals. In turn, both of their previous meetings with the Czech Republic on home soil have produced the identical 0-0 scoreline.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic were held to a 1-1 home draw to Belgium last time out after hammering Estonia 6-2 on the road on Matchday 1, as they take the field unbeaten in four competitive matches (W3, D1). Interestingly, the abovementioned stalemate was the Czechs’ first after 35 games overall (W20, L15), marking the fourth fixture in their last six to feature under 2.5 FT goals. Away from home, the visitors’ last draw was against Norway in June 2017, with Jaroslav Šilhavý’s men either winning or losing their subsequent 21 matches on the road (W11, L10). Yet, their recent away games have been notably tight, as four of the last five have yielded a full-time margin of a single goal. But a quick start is well on the cards, as each fixture in that five-game stretch saw the opener scored within 15 minutes.

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Slovakia vs Russia

Slovakia and Russia are set to trade tackles at the City Arena Trnava as part of their road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Despite falling two goals behind within 20 minutes against Malta last time out, Slovakia snatched away a 2-2 draw to begin their World Cup Qualifying campaign with back-to-back stalemates. At home, the ‘Falcons’ have only won one of their last five competitive matches in standard time (D2, L2), conceding over 1.5 goals on three occasions. Three of those five games featured 2+ second-half goals, highlighting the potential for plenty of late action. Topically, Štefan Tarkovič’s men have found the net after the restart in eight of their last nine home fixtures in the Euro/World Cup Qualifying, something they have failed to do in five consecutive meetings with Russia overall (W2, D1, L2). That’s somewhat understandably, though, knowing they drew a blank in three of those five H2Hs.

Russia started their World Cup Qualifying campaign with two victories, both of which saw them score precisely two first-half goals and fail to keep a clean sheet at full-time. Still a significant confidence boost for the Russians, especially considering they had gone winless in six consecutive matches prior (D3, L3), netting under 1.5 goals on five occasions. Furthermore, the ‘Sbornaya’ have won each of their last five away fixtures in Euro/World Cup Qualifying, scoring a resounding average of 3.8 goals per game in that sequence. In line with their propensity for quick starts, Stanislav Cherchesov’s men opened the scoring within 20 minutes and went on to score 2+ first-half goals in four of those five triumphs. On the flip side, however, the visitors have conceded two or more goals in three of their last four competitive road trips!

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Luxembourg vs Portugal

Portugal travel to the Stade Josy Barthel to meet Luxembourg in the World Cup Qualifying fixture they should win without breaking a sweat. They have not only each of their last six such H2Hs, but they did so by conceding just a single goal.

Gerson Rodrigues’ 85th-minute winner against the Republic of Ireland propelled Luxembourg to a flying qualifying start, putting an end to their four-game winless streak (D1, L3). The ‘clean-sheet’ theme remains significant in the context of Luxembourg’s recent fixtures, as four of the last five have seen one or both teams fail to get on the scoresheet. Their chances of qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2022 are extremely remote, but ‘Les Lions Rouges’ can win two matches in a single World Cup Qualifying campaign for the first time in history. Easier said than done, though, as Luc Holtz’s men lost each of their previous 12 H2Hs, including the last one on home soil by a 2-0 scoreline. That defeat is a part of Luxembourg’s disastrous results against FIFA’s top-20 ranked nations that saw them return a -34 goal difference from their last ten losses in qualfiying for major tournaments (GF:2, GA:36).

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo saw a clear 90th-minute winner against Serbia denied by the referee’s mistake, as Portugal enter this fixture looking to maintain an unbeaten start to their qualifying campaign (W1, D1). Before drawing 2-2 in Belgrade last time out, ‘A Seleção’ were on a ten-match winning run in the World Cup qualifiers, notably winning both halves on seven of those occasions and scoring over 2.5 goals six times in the process! Away from home, Fernando Santos’ men have put together five matches without losing (W3, D2), scoring 2+ goals in four while keeping a clean sheet in three. Portugal must be relishing the prospect of facing Luxembourg here, knowing their last four away victories in World Cup qualifiers against nations currently sitting outside FIFA’s top-60 rankings have yielded a winning margin of 3.25 goals.

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Belgium vs Belarus

Belgium will be looking to return to winning ways in their World Cup Qualifying group when they lock horns with Belarus at Den Dreef.

After overcoming Wales 3-1 at home in their group curtain-raiser, Belgium played out a 1-1 away draw with the Czech Republic last time out, which means they are now undefeated in five competitive games on the bounce (W4, D1). Curiously, though, they conceded first on each occasion. Additionally, ‘Les Diables Rouges’ have now avoided defeat in 22 consecutive World Cup Qualifying fixtures (W18, D4), scoring an average of 2.95 goals per game during that run while conceding only 11 total goals in return. What’s more, Belgium’s last home defeat in competitive matches dates back to 2010! (W19, D6)! Since exiting the Euro 2016, Roberto Martinez’s men have not lost a single qualifier for a major tournament, notably scoring 154 goals in 52 outings! Delivering action from the onset, five of Belgium’s last six fixtures saw the opener scored within 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, Belarus came out on top of a six-goal thriller against Estonia in their Group E opener, running out 4-2 victors despite falling behind twice. It was only their second victory in 15 World Cup Qualifying fixtures (D3, L10). Since the beginning of 2020, the ‘White Wings’ have won 50% of their matches (GP:12 – W6, D2, L4), with three of their last four games won/lost seeing the victor concede 2+ goals. After securing back-to-back away triumphs to start 2020, the visitors have now failed to win four road games in a row (D1, L3), letting in an average of 2.75 goals in that period. In fact, Mikhail Markhel’s men have conceded 3+ first-half goals in their last two away matches. Adding to a long list of worries, both Belarus’ previous road trips to FIFA’s top-15 ranked nations have yielded a 4-0 reverse.

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Albania vs England

Albania welcome England to the Loro-Boriçi Stadium in the second round of the World Cup Qualifying fixtures.

A narrow 1-0 away triumph in their opening World Cup Qualifying encounter sets Albania up for this showdown against top seeds England, in a one-way traffic H2H that has seen the Albanians lost all four previous editions by a margin of 2+ goals. The hosts can take some comfort from their decent form in recent time that has witnessed them avoid defeat in their last five matches in all competitions (W3, D2) and win four consecutive games overall. A potential success against England would see the ‘Red and Blacks’ put together five triumphs in a row for the first time in their history. Additionally, Edoardo Reja’s men may begin their World Cup Qualifying campaign with back-to-back victories for the second time, last doing so in their qualifying series for the FIFA 2018 World Cup.

On the other hand, England’s 5-0 thumping of Apennine minnows San Marino in their opening Group I outing means none of their last five competitive matches have ended in a draw (W3, L2), four of which have seen the victor keep a clean sheet. However, after winning three consecutive away games without conceding, the visitors have failed to win twice in a row, drawing a blank on each occasion (D1, L1). On the bright side, though, the ‘Three Lions’ have suffered just two defeats in their previous 29 away fixtures in World Cup Qualifying series (W19, D8), last losing such encounter to Ukraine back in October 2009. Furthermore, Gareth Southgate’s men have clocked up 42 goals across their last nine qualifying games for major tournaments (W8, D1), notably scoring 5+ goals on six of those occasions.

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Bulgaria vs Italy

Bulgaria and Italy continue their World Cup Qualifying campaign over the weekend as they lock horns at the Stadion Vasil Levski.

Having found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline in their World Cup Qualifying opener against Switzerland, Bulgaria come into this fixture winless in eight competitive matches in a row (D2, L6). If they want to qualify for their first World Cup finals in the 21st century, the ‘Lions’ need all three points against an Italian side they’ve failed to beat in their previous five competitive H2Hs (D4, L1). Moreover, the Bulgarians have lost each of their last four competitive games on home soil, falling behind within 20 minutes three times in the process. A potentially high-scoring affair is on the cards, though, as four of the six competitive H2Hs between these nations have seen over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring, with each of the last two yielding the identical 2-2 scoreline.

Meanwhile, the visitors were off to a flying start to their World Cup Qualifying campaign, claiming a comfortable 2-0 home win over Northern Ireland to extend their winning run in internationals to four matches. Remarkably, since losing 1-0 to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League back in September 2018, the Italians have racked up a 19-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W15, D4), keeping a clean sheet in 13 (68.42%) of those fixtures. Topically, Roberto Mancini’s men have avoided defeat in each of their last nine away matches overall (W8, D1), registering a shutout on seven occasions. Despite failing to qualify for the last final tournament, ‘Gli Azzurri’ boast a terrifying 5.71% loss rate across their previous seven World Cup Qualifying series (GP:70 – W46, 20, L4).

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Romania vs Germany

Arena Națională is the venue as Romania and Germany prepare to trade tackles in an exciting World Cup Qualifying fixture.

Romania prevailed in a five-goal thriller against North Macedonia in their Group J opener to take their unbeaten tally to four matches overall (W3, D1). Notably, the Romanians scored 3+ goals three times across that four-game sequence but only managed to keep a clean sheet once. At home, the ‘Tricolours’ have gone from four competitive fixtures without winning (D2, L2) to back-to-back victories, one which was a forfeit result versus Norway in the UEFA Nations League. Excluding that walkover, Mirel Radoi’s men have picked up just a single win in their previous five competitive home outings (W1, D2, L2), registering five of their seven goals conceded in that stretch beyond the 75th minute. For Romania, it all comes down to drawing first blood, as they’ve not lost any of the last 22 matches in which they opened the scoring (W18, D4).

Meanwhile, Germany demolished Iceland 3-0 at home to begin their tenth consecutive World Cup Qualifying campaign with a win. Additionally, the Germans have now lost just one of their last 11 competitive fixtures (W7, D3), drawing a blank only once in the previous 17! On the road, ‘Die Mannschaft’ saw their six-match unbeaten run come to a halt with a disastrous 6-0 reverse to Spain in the UEFA Nations League last time out (W5, D1). A 3-0 half-time deficit in Spain actually marked the first competitive away game in which Joachim Low’s men failed to shut out their hosts in the first half since a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in October 2018. It will be a daunting task for the visitors to keep a clean sheet here, knowing they have conceded at least once in each of their four H2Hs overall.

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Kazakhstan vs France

France will be looking to get their World Cup Qualifying campaign back on track following an early setback as they head to the Astana Arena to take on Kazakhstan.

A 2-0 away victory over Lithuania in the UEFA Nations League back in September 2020 was the last time Kazakhstan won a competitive match – a draw and four losses for them since. Kazakhstan’s defensive frailties saw them concede over 1.5 goals in each of their four defeats across that five-game sequence, letting in at least one goal in both halves on three occasions. The ‘Hawks’ cannot find much comfort in their recent World Cup Qualifying record either, knowing they lament a disastrous 7.14% win-ratio across their last 42 outings in this competition (W3, D6, L33). Interestingly, none of their five home matches in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 ended level (W2, L3), with each result (win/loss) seeing the winner on the day score 2+ goals and four yielding a clean sheet.

Meanwhile, a shocking 1-1 home draw with Ukraine was not exactly the qualifying start the reigning World Cup holders were looking for, albeit it means they are now undefeated in 14 competitive fixtures on the trot (W11, D3). Furthermore, ‘Les Blues’ boast an intimidating 90.7% unbeaten rate in the World Cup Qualifying in the 21st century (W25, D14, L4) accompanied by a telling +44 goal difference (GF:71, GA: 27). Confidence should be there for Didier Deschamp’s men, considering they have won their last six away matches in all competitions by an aggregate score of 11-1, finding the opener with 11 minutes on three occasions. Interestingly, eight of France’s ten competitive matches on the road in the post-FIFA World Cup 2018 period have seen one or both sides fail to get on the scoresheet.

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Tokyo FC vs Vissel Kobe

Tokyo FC and Vissel Kobe go head-to-head at the Ajinomoto Stadium in a heavyweight YBC Levain Cup showdown.

Tokyo churned out a 1-0 home win over Tokushima to paint their Group B opener with flying colors. Unfortunately, that victory also represents their only clean sheet in eight competitive fixtures this calendar year, albeit they have conceded 2+ goals on just three occasions. Interestingly, the hosts have shipped the opener in each of their last four competitive home matches but managed to prevail in three (W3, L1). Although Tokyo did find themselves on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline when the two sides met at the beginning of March, they have since racked up a three-match unbeaten run (W2, D1), scoring precisely two first-half goals twice in the process. At the Ajinomoto Stadium, none of the last seven competitive meetings between these rivals have ended in a draw (W5, D2), with six of those results (win/loss) seeing the winner on the day keep a blank sheet.

Meanwhile, Vissel Kobe brushed aside Oita 3-1 on the road in their Group B curtain-raiser despite falling behind within 20 minutes. They have since endured mixed fortunes in five competitive outings (W2, D2, L1), four of which have seen both teams score. Indeed, lackluster starts have seen Kobe concede the opening goal in five of their last six games in all competitions, although they have managed to respond in all but one of those fixtures (W2, D2, L1). A tight contest is well on the cards here as eight of the last nine competitive H2Hs between these two have yielded the full-time margin of under 1.5 goals (W2, D3, L4), with six of them featuring under 2.5 total goals. Yet, low scoring may not necessarily be a theme here, especially considering the fact three of Vissel’s last four away matches have seen over 3.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet.

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Georgia vs Spain

Desperately seeking some improvement, Spain travel to the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena to meet Georgia in the second round of their World Cup Qualifying.

A 1-0 away defeat to Sweden in their Group B curtain-raiser has drastically lowered Georgia’s chances of qualifying for their first World Cup finals. Consequently, they are now winless in six competitive fixtures on the bounce (D3, L3), having netted under 1.5 goals on five occasions in that run. Another potential worry for the ‘Crusaders’ is a lackluster home form that has seen them fail to win six of their last seven home matches (D4, L2) despite keeping a clean sheet four times in that sequence. Furthermore, it has been almost 15 years since Georgia last managed to outscore a team sitting inside FIFA’s current top-ten rankings on home soil, with the previous success coming at the expense of Uruguay in 2006. The only encouragement Willy Sagnol can find is that his men defeated Spain 1-0 in their last international collision.

Meanwhile, despite starting their World Cup Qualifying campaign with a whimper rather than a bang (1-1 home draw with Greece), the Spaniards have stretched their undefeated record in World Cup qualifiers to 64 (W50, D14)! Worryingly, though, Luis Enrique’s men have now picked up only three victories in their last nine international outings (D5, L1), frustratingly scoring under 1.5 goals on seven occasions in that spread of games. Away from home, ‘La Furia Roja’ have failed to win any of their last seven internationals (D6, L1), with five of those six stalemates producing the identical 1-1 scoreline. To their defense, four of those seven fixtures paired Spain against European juggernauts – Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

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Serbia vs Portugal

Stadion Rajko Mitić is the venue as Serbia and Portugal battle it out for a top place in the World Cup Qualifying Group A.

Serbia overcame an early deficit to beat the Republic of Ireland 3-2 in their qualifying curtain-raiser, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches – 90 minutes only (W2, D5). Dragan Stojkovic’s men’s resolve will be on the line against a Portugal team they’ve failed to beat in any of their three qualifying H2Hs as hosts in the 21st century (D1, L2). In fact, the ‘Eagles’ have failed to win any of their six qualifying fixtures against Portugal -home and away (D3, L3) – despite finding the net on each occasion. Looking to qualify for back-to-back World Cup finals for the first time as a sovereign nation, the Serbs have kept three clean sheets in their last four outings, though none of them came against a side close to Portugal’s stature. Scoring has been a problem for the hosts lately, as they’ve netted under 1.5 goals in four of their last six matches overall.

Meanwhile, Portugal had to thank the Azerbaijan captain Maksim Medvedev, whose own goal made all the difference in their opening qualifying fixture. A win, nonetheless, and Portugal’s second consecutive in all competitions following a 3-2 away victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. On foreign soil, Fernando Santos’ men are undefeated in four matches in a row (W3, D1) since succumbing to a 2-1 loss to Ukraine in the European Championship Qualifying back in October 2019. During that four-game sequence, ‘A Seleção’ kept a clean sheet three times and score 2+ goals in all but one outing. Notably, Portugal’s qualifying campaign en route to the FIFA World Cup 2018 saw them lose their opening match to Switzerland and win all of their remaining nine encounters by an aggregate score of 32-2.

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Russia vs Slovenia

Russia and Slovenia will face-off against each other at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in a crunch World Cup Qualifying encounter to determine the leader in Group H.

Russia cruised past out-of-sorts Malta in their Group H opener, securing a 3-1 away win to snap their six-match winless run overall (D3, L3). The Russians have been an entertaining team to watch lately, as nine of their last 12 international games have featured goals in both halves. Interestingly, the ‘Sbornaya’ have never lost more than one home match per World Cup Qualifying campaign since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 (W24, D6). However, the last time they were paired against Slovenia in the World Cup qualifiers, it didn’t turn out well for them, as they crumbled in the two-legged play-offs that kept them away from the FIFA World Cup 2010. Seeking revenge, Stanislav Cherchesov’s men can draw confidence from their three-game unbeaten run in competitive fixtures on home soil (W1, D2) and from the fact they last conceded over 1.5 goals per competitive home match in November 2019.

As for Slovenia, they managed to overcome FIFA World Cup 2018 runners-up Croatia 1-0 in their group curtain-raiser, taking their unbeaten tally to nine consecutive games (W6, D3). Matjaž Kek has based his team’s recent success on an air-tight backline that has now kept a clean sheet in eight of the last nine fixtures overall. Indeed, they kept their hosts at bay in all three UEFA Nations League trips in 2020 (W2, D1), which comes as a boost knowing they have failed to score in three consecutive away World Cup Qualifying outings (L3). Against this backdrop, the visitors have found the net in both previous visits to Russia but only after falling behind first (D1, L1). Curiously, the Slovenians tend to thrive in tight affairs, as evidenced by the fact that six of their previous seven international successes have come by a single-goal margin.

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Norway vs Turkey

Ullevål Stadion is the venue as Norway and Turkey battle it out for a top spot in the World Cup Qualifying Group G.

A comfortable 3-0 away victory over doomed Gibraltar in their opening Group G fixture saw Norway continue to build on their form from the closing stage of the previous World Cup Qualifying campaign. They have now won four of their last five World Cup Qualifying games (L1), all of which without conceding. Indeed, Ståle Solbakken’s men did finish their previous qualifying series for the World Cup finals in remarkable fashion, scoring the opening goal in three of their last four home games to win each of them (D1). As for their recent performance, the ‘Lions’ are on a run of six competitive matches without losing within 90 minutes (W4, D2), excluding a walkover result against Romania. Turkey may throw a spanner in the works to Norway’s imperious home form, knowing the Scandinavians have failed to win any of their last three competitive H2Hs (D1, L2).

On the other hand, Turkey stunned the Netherlands 4-2 in their group opener to post only their second triumph in the last nine fixtures (W2, D5, L2), friendlies included. Current manager Senol Gunes knows the in-depth of building a competitive team as demonstrated by his impressive 85.71% unbeaten ratio in charge (W11, D7, L3). Gunes will now be looking to become the first manager to lead Turkey to consecutive wins at the beginning of the World Cup Qualifying campaign. To accomplish that, the Turks will have to defy their recent away record in the away World Cup Qualifying games that has seen them win just one of their last five such matches (D2, L2) and concede over 1.5 goals three times in the process. Additionally, the ‘Crescent-Stars’ have failed to win away from home in four successive outings (D3, L1), scoring one goal or less on three occasions.

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Netherlands vs Latvia

The Netherlands will be looking to get back on track following a poor start to their World Cup Qualifying when they meet Latvia at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

Seeking redemption for a 4-2 thumping to Turkey in their Group G curtain-raiser, the Netherlands take on a Latvia side they’ve scored 11 unanswered goals against across their three H2Hs (W3). Moreover, the ‘Oranje’ have recently been ruthless versus the UEFA nations ranked below the top #100, winning all of their previous six such engagements, five of which via at least a two-goal margin. Always intimidating as hosts, Frank de Boer’s men have racked up 11 victories in their last 14 competitive fixtures on home soil (L3), ten of which were accompanied by a 2+ goal margin. Topically, none of the Netherlands’ last five competitive home games have ended in a draw (W4, L1), with three of their four triumphs in that period seeing them score 3+ goals.

Meanwhile, Latvia’s World Cup Qualifying was off to a flyer as they took the lead against Montenegro only to succumb to a 2-1 defeat in the end. Combating their peers in the UEFA Nations League in 2020, Latvia could only manage four draws in their six outings in the competition (W1, L1), with five of those fixtures featuring under 2.5 total goals. In their last qualifying group for EURO 2020 (now 2021), the ’11 Wolves’ lost all of their five away matches by an aggregate score of 2-15, with all but one of those failures coming by a margin of 2+ goals. In the World Cup Qualifying alone, they have lost 55.56% of their games since the dissolution of the Soviet Union (40/72), accruing only two victories across their last 20 such contests. Dainis Kazakevičs’ men can find some comfort in the fact they avoided defeat in all five away games in 2020 (W2, D3).

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Czech Republic vs Belgium

The Czech Republic and Belgium go head-to-head at the Sinobo Stadium in an exciting World Cup Qualifying encounter.

The Czech Republic laid the groundwork for their first appearance in the World Cup finals since 2006 by dismantling Estonia 6-2 in their Group E opener. They have now won three competitive matches on the bounce by an aggregate score of 9-2, getting on the scoresheet within 20 minutes on each occasion. The Czechs’ victory in Estonia also means that none of their last 35 fixtures have ended level (W20, L15), a trend that is likely to extend against a Belgium side they have not drawn against in any of their previous five meetings (W2, L3). Unfortunately, the hosts’ recent record versus FIFA’s top-five ranked nations cannot encourage Jaroslav Šilhavý. Since the start of 2019, Šilhavý’s men have lost two of their three matches against such opposition, each by at least a two-goal margin (W1).

Meanwhile, Belgium hammered Wales 3-1 at home in their qualifying curtain-raiser, stretching their winning run to five games. Remarkably, ‘Les Diables Rouges’ have racked up ten consecutive wins in away World Cup Qualifying fixtures, notably breaking the deadlock in nine and hitting the net in both halves in eight. Topically, quick-fire Belgians have found the opener within 25 minutes of play in each of their previous six away games in all competitions (W5, L1). Roberto Martinez’s men concluded their last qualifying campaign for EURO with ten wins from ten games, returning a staggering +37 goal difference in the process (GF:40, GA:3). Since the beginning of 2019, FIFA’s #1-ranked team has won 15 of their 19 outings by a margin of 2+ goals to rightfully earn their current stature.

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Croatia vs Cyprus

Croatia will be looking to kick-start their World Cup Qualifying campaign when they lock horns with underperforming Cyprus at the Stadion HNK Rijeka.

A 1-0 away defeat to Slovenia in their group opener piles pressure on Croatia, who came out on top of their only previous meeting with Cyprus. However, the Croatians are not enjoying the best of times, having now failed to win any of their last five matches overall (D1, L4). Each fixture during that five-game sequence yielded a full-time margin of under 1.5 goals, with three of them seeing the identical 1-0 half-time scoreline (HT: W1, L4). Croatia’s dip in form has seen them go from six consecutive wins at home in all competitions to back-to-back losses, with all but one of those eight results (win/loss) seeing the winner on the day concede at least once. On the bright side, Zlatko Dalic’s men concluded their World Cup Qualifying campaign for the last final tournament without a single home loss (W4, D2), play-offs included.

Meanwhile, the visitors held Slovakia to a goalless home draw in their opening Group H fixture, which now means they’ve failed to score in six of their last seven competitive outings (W1, D2, L4). Away from home, the visitors are winless in five matches overall (D1, L4), four of which have seen them concede 2+ goals while three witnessed them draw a blank. Nikos Kostenoglou’s men have never qualified for the final tournament, and a win-rate of only 14.91% in the World Cup Qualifying campaigns probably the best illustrates their struggle. The one thing Cyprus can take some courage from is a solid defense that conceded an average of 1.63 goals per World Cup Qualifying match across their last three qualifying series. However, they have found the strikes hard to come by, managing an average of 0.65 goals scored per game across their previous 20 World Cup Qualifying fixtures.

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Sagan Tosu vs Consadole Sapporo

YBC Levain Cup Matchday 2 gets underway this weekend as Sagan Tosu and Consadole Sapporo lock horns at the Ekimae Real Estate Stadium.

Sagan Tosu’s Group A campaign started with a whimper rather than a bang, with Kim Myung-hwi’s men succumbing to a dismal 3-0 defeat at Kashima Antlers in their group opener. That seems to have been a wake-up call for Tosu, as they’ve since gone unbeaten in five competitive matches in a row (W3, D2), keeping a clean sheet on each occasion. Additionally, the hosts have only lost once in their previous nine home games in any competition (W3, D5, L1), registering a shutout in each of the last four. At the other end of the pitch, Sagan had netted over 1.5 goals in four consecutive home fixtures before being held to a goalless draw to Avispa Fukuoka last time out. Worryingly, though, they have failed to beat Sapporo in any of their eight previous competitive H2Hs (D1, L7).

Meanwhile, the visitors got off to a flying Levain Cup start, having claimed a 3-2 away win at Avispa Fukuoka to kick-start their Group A campaign. However, they have collapsed since then, going winless in their subsequent four outings overall (D1, L3), with each match in that four-game sequence seeing the sides separated at full-time by under 1.5 goals. Away from home, Mihailo Petrovic’s men have failed to win any of their last three competitive fixtures (D1, L2), drawing a blank on two occasions, with their lone strike in that spread of games coming from the spot. The ‘Consa’ will have to avoid conceding first to optimize their chances of winning, as they’ve lost both away matches in which they fell behind this season.

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Wales vs Mexico

Cardiff City Stadium is the venue as Wales and Mexico go head-to-head in an international friendly fixture.

Coming off the back of a 3-1 thrashing to Belgium in the World Cup Qualifying match, Wales face another daunting task in the shape of a Mexico side they have failed to beat in all three H2Hs (D2, L1). Before succumbing to FIFA’s number one team, Rob Page’s men had kept four clean sheets in five matches, all of which featured under 1.5 FT goals. Including competitive and friendly fixtures, the ‘Dragons’ are unbeaten in ten consecutive home games (W8, D2), registering a shutout on seven occasions. However, a lack of firepower in the front third has seen Wales net under 1.5 goals in nine of their last 12 matches on home soil, though they scored three times in their most recent home game (3-1 win over Finland).

Meanwhile, since finding themselves on the receiving end of a 4-0 walloping to Argentina in an international friendly back in September 2019, Mexico have hit the ground running, racking up nine victories in their subsequent ten outings (D1). When they win, it tends to be in a convincing manner, as seven of their last ten triumphs were accompanied by a winning margin of 2+ goals, with six yielding a clean sheet too. Additionally, the Mexicans have won each of their previous four fixtures on foreign soil, with three of those successes coming by at least a two-goal margin. None of Mexico’s last five meetings with UEFA nations have ended in a stalemate (W3, L2), with each result (win/loss) in that sequence seeing the winner on the day preserve a blank sheet and four of them featuring under 2.5 total goals.

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Yokohama Marinos vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Sanfrecce Hiroshima head to the Mitsuzawa Stadium to take on Yokohama Marinos in an exciting YBC Levain Cup fixture.

Ado Onaiwu’s strike against Vegalta Sendai in the Group D curtain-raiser propelled Yokohama to the top of the section and simultaneously kick-started their five-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W4, D1). Notably, the ‘Marinos’ found the opener within 20 minutes in three of those five fixtures, going on to net exactly three goals on three occasions. Furthermore, they have scored precisely three goals in each of their last three competitive H2Hs held at this venue, with seven (75%) of their nine strikes in that stretch coming in the second half of play. The hosts boast an almost perfect competitive record at home this calendar year (W3, D1), registering a shutout in each victory. But lack of concentration in the early stages has seen all three of their goals conceded at home this season come before half-time.

Meanwhile, Hiroshima played out a dismal goalless draw with Shimizu at home in their group opener, which was the only time they had failed to score in a competitive fixture this calendar year. Indeed, the visitors are yet to taste defeat in any competition since the calendar flipped to 2021 (W3, D4). Five of their seven games in that spread of matches saw both teams on the scoresheet, with Hiroshima netting the opening goal (if any) five times in the process. Topically, eight of their last nine competitive trips to Yokohama have witnessed both sides score, with all but one featuring over 2.5 FT goals. Despite their recent scoring problems, the ‘Sanfre’ will be confident of finding the net here, having penetrated Yokohama’s defense in three consecutive H2Hs in all competitions.

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Chile vs Bolivia

Martin Lasarte makes his managerial debut at Chile as they welcome Bolivia to the Estadio El Teniente in an all-CONMEBOL international friendly.

Having won just one of their four World Cup Qualifying matches during the last two international breaks (D1, L2), Chile will be looking to rally the troops versus a Bolivia side they have outplayed in three of their previous four H2Hs (L1). Since exiting Copa America 2019, ‘La Roja’ have won just two of their eight fixtures, friendlies included (W2, D3, L3), conceding 2+ goals in 62.5% of those outings. Despite an indifferent form, they have been a fun team to watch lately as four of their last five games overall have seen over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. However, Lasarte’s men can draw confidence from strong starts on home soil that have seen them net a first-half brace in each of their last two home matches.

Meanwhile, a 2-2 away draw at Paraguay last time out saw Bolivia’s three-game losing streak come to a halt, though they’ve now conceded over 1.5 goals in four consecutive outings. It’s been over two years since Bolivia last kept a clean sheet, with Octavio Zambrano’s men letting in at least one goal in 14 straight matches since a goalless away draw with Iraq in November 2018. Their defensive woes were brutally exposed during that 14-game sequence as they shipped 3+ goals on seven occasions. On the bright side, however, ‘La Verde’ have found the net in five of their last six fixtures overall, which has been the case in four of their previous six meetings with Chile. Quick out of the blocks, they have registered 66.67% of their last nine goals scored inside the opening 45 minutes.

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Spain vs Greece

Estadio Los Cármenes is the venue as Spain and Greece square off in their opening World Cup Qualifying fixture.

Spain won all but two of their six competitive matches in 2020 (D1, L1), four of which featured under 2.5 total goals. A 3-2 defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League back in October 2018 seems to have triggered the Spaniards’ wrath as they’ve won each of their following eight competitive home fixtures by an aggregate score of 32-1. What’s more, it has been over four years since ‘La Furia Roja’ last failed to beat a nation outside FIFA’s current top-20 rankings in any competition. Always intimidating as hosts, Luis Enrique’s men have racked up 17 consecutive home victories in qualifying matches for either World Cup or European Championship. Remarkably, those 17 successes have yielded an average winning margin of 3.4 goals, with 13 of them being accompanied by a clean sheet.

Meanwhile, after failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2018, Greece will be looking to book their place at the final tournament for the fourth time in the 21st century. Despite entering this fixture as betting outsiders, the Greeks can rely on impressive showings in 2020 that saw them avoid defeat in all six matches across all competitions (W3, D3), keeping a clean sheet on five occasions. Unfortunately, a lack of firepower in the front third has seen the ‘Ethniki’ score under 1.5 goals in six of their last eight away games overall (W3, D1, L4). Another potential reason for concern could be that John van ‘t Schip’s men have failed to win any of their previous nine away encounters they started as underdogs (D3, L6). Encouragingly, though, each of Greece’s last three World Cup Qualifying campaigns has seen them start with an away triumph.

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Sweden vs Georgia

Georgia travel to the Friends Arena to take on Sweden in the opening duel of World Cup Qualifying Group B.

Following an impressive FIFA World Cup 2018 campaign that saw them reach the quarter-finals, Sweden will be looking to clinch back-to-back appearances at the final tournament for the second time this century. Their performances in 2020 certainly do not back that claim, as the ‘Blue and Yellow’ lost five of their six competitive games last calendar year (W1), drawing a blank on three occasions. An indifferent form across their previous six home matches in any competition (W2, D2, L2) indicates this may not be a walk in the park for the hosts, albeit they enter this fixture as overwhelming favorites to claim all three points. Yet, Janne Andersson’s men completed their last World Cup Qualifying campaign without losing a single game at home (W6, D1), returning a +17 goal difference from those matches (GF:19, GA:2), play-offs included.

Meanwhile, the visitors have never managed to qualify for the World Cup finals as a sovereign nation, finishing fourth or worse in their last four qualifying groups. Indeed, Georgia’s win-rate of just 16.07% across their World Cup Qualification campaigns overall (GP:56 – W9, D18, L31) shows how difficult it is for them to shine in high-stake matches. Despite mainly competing against their peers in the UEFA Nations League in 2020, the ‘Crusaders’ could only win two of their eight fixtures last calendar year (D4, L2), six of which featured under 2.5 total goals. During their qualifying campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2018, Georgia failed to win any of their five away matches (D3, L2), albeit they conceded precisely once per game on four occasions.

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Scotland vs Austria

Scotland and Austria kick-start their journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022 as they lock horns at Hampden Park in their opening qualifying fixture.

Scotland’s recent competitive action has produced notably tight affairs as four of their last five games in the UEFA Nations League have yielded the identical 1-0 scoreline (W2, D1, L2). Steve Clarke’s side has been a force to be reckoned with at home, though, remarkably winning nine of their previous 13 home fixtures in all competitions (D2, L2). Adding to their confidence, Scotland finished their last World Cup Qualifying campaign without losing a single home match (W3, D2). The last time they lost such a contest was against Belgium back in September 2013. Furthermore, the ‘Tartan Terriers’ have been victorious in their two home meetings with Austria as part of the World Cup qualifiers, scoring precisely two goals apiece while conceding a total of one. However, both of those encounters took place in the 20th century.

Meanwhile, a 1-1 home draw with Norway in the UEFA Nations League last time out saw Austria’s three-match winning run in all competitions come to an end. Ahead of the kick-off, free-scoring Austrians have found the net in eight consecutive matches overall, albeit they have scored precisely once per game in three of their last four competitive outings. Notably, ‘Das Team’ tend to get off to a flying start to their World Cup Qualifying campaigns, having won 12 of their 18 opening matches at this juncture, including the last two that took place on foreign soil. Furthermore, Franco Foda’s men won each of their four away fixtures in 2020 by an aggregate score of 7-1, with the lone goal conceded courtesy of a 2-1 over Norway.

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Portugal vs Azerbaijan

Portugal and Azerbaijan being their World Cup Qualification campaigns at the Allianz Stadium in their Group A opener.

Despite being stripped of home comforts in this Turin-held encounter, Portugal are an overwhelming favorite heading into proceedings on a nine-match winning streak in World Cup Qualification fixtures. Spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Santos’ men bagged over 2.5 goals in six of those nine victories. When it comes to their recent form, ‘A Seleção’ have picked up seven triumphs in their last ten games (D2, L1), friendlies included, notably winning both halves six times in the process. Additionally, Portugal have been relentless against the teams of Azerbaijan’s stature in the World Cup qualifiers, as evidenced by the fact each of their previous eight successes in such contests yielded an average winning margin of 2.88 goals. In turn, their last three such showdowns held on foreign soil have seen them net precisely two goals beyond the 60-minute mark.

Meanwhile, a return of one win from their last ten matches overall (D4, L5) suggests Azerbaijan might fulfill the role of group whipping boys, especially given that they failed to get on the scoresheet eight times across that ten-game stretch. Gianni De Biasi’s men cannot find much comfort in their recent World Cup Qualification fortunes either, knowing they have lost six of their last seven such clashes, four of which via at least a two-goal margin. Adding to a long list of worries, they have lost each of their previous four competitive meetings with Portgual via an aggregate score of 10-0, finding themselves on the wrong side of 2+ goals to nil second-half scoreline in each of the last two. Away from home, Azerbaijan have scored just once in their last six games overall, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Cyprus in the UEFA Nations League in September 2020.

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Israel vs Denmark

Bloomfield Stadium is the venue as Israel and Denmark begin their journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Having either finished third or fourth in their last six World Cup Qualification campaigns, Israel will be looking to secure a spot in the final tournament for the first time since 1970. Easier said than done, though, as they take the field after claiming just three victories in their last 14 games (D4, L7), disturbingly netting under 1.5 goals on 11 occasions. Despite their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, the ‘Blue and Whites’ should be able to score at least once here as they did in each of their last ten competitive outings. Against this backdrop, Willibald Ruttensteiner’s men have lost each of their previous three home matches in the World Cup qualifiers without reply. Moreover, they have lost each of their last four competitive meetings with Denmark, all of which by at least a two-goal margin.

As for the visitors, a 4-2 away defeat at the hands of Belgium in the UEFA Nations League last time out saw Denmark’s four-game unbeaten run in all competitions come to a halt (W3, D1). After bowing out of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Round of 16, they will be looking to land back-to-back appearances at the final tournament for the first time since 2002. Since exiting the World Cup in Russia, Kasper Hjulmand’s men have suffered just one reverse in nine competitive away fixtures (W4, D4), conceding the opening goal (if any) only twice in that sequence. Furthermore, ‘Danish Dynamite’ executed an almost perfect qualifying campaign en route to reaching Russia, having lost just two of their ten outings in that period (W6, D2). Interestingly, four of Denmark’s last six competitive away games have seen one or both sides fail to score.

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Italy vs Northern Ireland

Italy will seek redemption for the World Cup Qualification fiasco last time around as they welcome Northern Ireland to the Stadio Ennio Tardini for their opening World Cup qualifier.

After missing out on the last final tournament for the first time since 1958, Italy will be looking to avoid a similar setback this time around. On a positive note, however, the Italians enter this fixture unbeaten in their previous 22 matches, friendlies included (W17, D5). When it comes to competitive football, Roberto Mancini’s men have won three of their last five games (D2), keeping a clean sheet four times and leading at half-time on three occasions. Moreover, it is hard to find more frightening hosts than ‘Gli Azzurri,’ who last lost a competitive match on home turf in 1999. More recently, they have racked up five victories in their previous eight home fixtures across various competitions (D3), returning an intimidating +21 goal difference for their trouble (GF:25, GA:4).

Not exactly a definition of a force to be reckoned with, Northern Ireland seek their first appearance in the World Cup finals since 1986. Ahead of the kick-off, the ‘Green and White Army’ have failed to win any of their last 12 competitive fixtures (D4, L8) if considered only 90 minutes of play, albeit they have found the opening goal twice in a row now. ‘Both teams to score’ has been a common theme in their recent matches, though, as seven of the last nine have witnessed both sides hit the net. Away from home, Ian Baraclough’s men have succumbed to four defeats in their previous six competitive outings (W1, D1), scoring precisely once per game in all but two. Lapses in concentration in the later stages of play have seen Northern Ireland register 50% of their last 12 goals conceded on the road beyond the 79-minute mark.

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Hungary vs Poland

Poland’s World Cup Qualification campaign gets underway this midweek as they head to the Groupama Arena to take on Hungary in the Group I opener.

Seeking their first appearance on international football’s biggest stage since 1986, Hungary are undefeated in six competitive fixtures (W4, D2), notably restricting their opponents to a maximum of one goal per match on each occasion. Slow starts might raise some concerns, though, as the Hungarians drew a blank at half-time in three of their last four games in all competitions. A stalemate seems like a highly improbable scenario, knowing just one of their previous 17 competitive home outings has ended level (W11, L5). Topically, the ‘Magyars’ have lost two of their three H2Hs with Poland in the 21st century, winning the other one, with each result (win/loss) in that sequence coming by a narrow one-goal margin. Hungary getting on the scoresheet is a near-certainty, given that they’ve scored in 12 consecutive home fixtures in all competitions.

In the meantime, after a disappointing result in the FIFA World Cup 2018, Poland will be looking to qualify for the final tournament twice on the bounce for the second time this millennium. However, a lack of confidence could throw a spanner in the works, considering the ‘Eagles’ have gone from three successive competitive matches without losing (W2, D1) to two consecutive defeats, both of which saw them lose the second half ‘to nil.’ On the road, Paulo Sosa’s men have not drawn any of their last eight fixtures in all competitions (W5, L3), with six (75%) of those results seeing the winner on the day keep a clean sheet. Entertainment has been relatively sparse in Poland’s recent away matches, though, as eight of the last 11 have featured under 2.5 total goals.

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Germany vs Iceland

Germany will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in World Cup Qualifying to 34 matches (W28, D5) when they lock horns with Iceland at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena in Duisburg.

A disastrous 6-0 defeat to Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League last time out saw Germany’s nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to a halt (W6, D3). Curiously, seven of their previous 11 competitive fixtures have witnessed both teams on the scoresheet, with ‘Die Mannschaft’ conceding the opening goal in each of the last three. Though they have kept a clean sheet in both of their only previous competitive meetings with Iceland (W1, D1), it is worth noting that their last such encounter took place in October 2003. At home, Joachim Low’s men have racked up a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W3, D2) since suffering a dismal 4-2 defeat to the Netherlands in the European Championship qualifier in September 2019. Free-scoring Germans netted 3+ goals in four of those five matches.

Meanwhile, the visitors have lost five consecutive games ahead of the kick-off, scoring just three goals while conceding 13 in return. None of Iceland’s last nine competitive fixtures have ended in a draw (W2, L7), with 66% of them yielding a winning/losing margin of a single goal. On the road, Arnar Viðarsson’s men have succumbed to four competitive defeats in a row since beating Moldova 2-1 in the European Championship qualifier in November 2019. Their defensive frailties saw Iceland concede at least two goals in each of the abovementioned four reverses, letting in 2+ second-half goals on three occasions. Particularly vulnerable after the half-time break, Iceland have registered 14 of their last 21 goals conceded away from home in the second half of play.

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England vs San Marino

England’s journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022 begins this midweek as they welcome San Marino to Wembley Stadium for their Group I opener.

England head into proceedings as overwhelming favorites to start their qualifying campaign with flying colors, having won each of their last 18 home qualifying matches for major tournaments. As expected, the H2H record massively favors the home side, as their six competitive H2Hs have all seen England hammer San Marino by at least a five-goal margin. At Wembley, the hosts have won all three H2Hs by 5+ goals ‘to nil,’ leading at half-time by 2-0 on each occasion. Notably, the ‘Three Lions’ have begun each of their last seven qualifying campaigns for major tournaments with a victory, returning a +24 goal difference for good measure (GF:24, GA:0). Curiously, ten of England’s last 11 matches have seen one or both sides fail to find the net (W8, D1, L2), with seven of them featuring over 2.5 total goals.

Meanwhile, as FIFA’s worst-ranked nation, San Marino are still waiting for their first success in qualifying games for major tournaments, having lost 139 of 142 such fixtures (D3). ‘La Serenissima’ come into this encounter on the back of 43 consecutive reverses in World Cup/European Championship qualifiers, last avoiding defeat in such contest against Latvia in April 2001 (1-1). Additionally, Franco Varrella’s men have failed to get on the scoresheet in 11 consecutive road trips in all competitions since succumbing to a 5-1 walloping to Azerbaijan in September 2019. The only encouragement the Apennine minnows can find is that they did not lose two of their four competitive games in 2020 (D2, L2) despite drawing a blank on each occasion.

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Bulgaria vs Switzerland

Bulgaria entertain Switzerland at the Stadion Vasil Levski for their World Cup Qualification Group C curtain-raiser.

Last qualified for the final tournament in 1998, Bulgaria come into this fixture on the back of a seven-game winless run in all competitions (D2, L5). Particularly ponderous in the front third during the early stages of play, they have failed to find the net before half-time in each of their last 11 competitive outings. Moreover, they have conceded the opening goal in three consecutive competitive home games, subsequently losing each of them. A propensity for inspirational starts to their World Cup Qualification campaigns comes in handy, though, as the Bulgarians avoided defeat in their previous four opening qualifying matches (W2, D2). What’s more, the ‘Lions’ were victorious in four of the five home fixtures in their last World Cup Qualification campaign (L1). Curiously, seven of their previous eight home encounters in World Cup qualifiers have featured the opening goal inside the first 20 minutes.

On the other hand, the visitors are enduring a rough time of their own, having failed to win any of their last seven fixtures (D3, L4), a walkover win over Ukraine excluded. Delivering action from the get-go, Vladimir Petkovic’s men amassed 40% of the goals scored/conceded during the abovementioned seven-match sequence before half-time. Switzerland’s inability to hold onto an early lead has seen them fail to win any of the previous four matches in which they opened the scoring. Another worrying sign for the traveling side is that they have claimed just one victory in their last seven competitive clashes on foreign soil (D2, L4). The only comfort the ‘Nati’ can take is that they have lost none of their previous 15 away matches in the World Cup Qualification to the teams ranked worse than them (W12, D3).

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Japan vs South Korea

Familiar foes are set to face-off at the Nissan Stadium as Japan trade tackles with South Korea in an exciting international friendly.

After going unbeaten in three consecutive matches (W2, D1), Japan went down 2-0 to Mexico in their last international fixture. Low scoring has been a common theme in Japan’s recent games as each of the last five have seen one or both teams fail to score in matches garnering under 2.5 total goals. The ‘clean-sheet’ theme has played a significant role in their home fixtures over the past two years, as only three of their last 15 have seen both sides on the scoresheet. The ‘Samurai Blue’ have failed to stage a comeback in any of the previous six games in which they conceded first, ending up on the losing side in each of them. The last time Hajime Moriyasu’s men came from behind to win was against Uzbekistan in January 2019 (2-1).

Meanwhile, a 2-1 triumph over Qatar during the last international break gave South Korea the fourth win in five matches (L1), four of which have been decided by a single goal. Away from home, the ‘Taegeuk Warriors’ have failed to pick up a single victory in their last four games (D2, L2), drawing a blank on three occasions in the process. However, when South Korea score, it tends to be early. Six of their last ten goals netted on the road have arrived in the first half, with five of them coming before the 25-minute mark. The visitors will be confident of scoring here after finding the net in each of their last four meetings with Japan. In line with their quick-starting propensity, seven of their eight strikes across those encounters arrived before the interval.

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Turkey vs Netherlands

The World Cup Qualification Group G gets underway at the Türk Telekom Stadyumu as Turkey take on the Netherlands in their first encounter since 2015.

Turkey have turned into a force to be reckoned with since Senol Gunes took charge of the team in February 2019, avoiding defeat in 17 of 20 matches under him (W10, D7, L3). However, the ‘Crescent-Stars’ have stumbled in the recent period, having picked up only one triumph in their last eight games (D5, L2), four of which have seen both sides score at least twice. Furthermore, the hosts have endured mixed fortunes in their previous three home fixtures in all competitions (W1, D1, L1) after falling behind on each occasion. Still, Turkey have showcased character in recent home matches they entered as underdogs, having avoided defeat in all four previous such contests (W2, D2), coming from behind to seal both stalemates.

Meanwhile, Frank de Boer has been a catalyst to resurrect the fallen giants, with the Netherlands going unbeaten in all five games under the new coach (W2, D3) despite conceding first on three of those occasions. Though the visitors will aim to keep their undefeated run going, it is worth noting that they have failed to beat Turkey in both of their previous qualifying match-ups (D1, L1). On the flip side, however, the ‘Oranje’ have not lost 16 of their last 19 meetings with UEFA nations ranked within ten places of Turkey (W13, D3, L3), with 12 of those victories coming by at least a two-goal margin. Adding to their confidence, the Netherlands are unbeaten in their last ten away matches as betting favorites (W7, D3).

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Slovenia vs Croatia

Stadion Stožice is the venue as Slovenia and Croatia go head-to-head in an all-Balkans World Cup qualifier.

Slovenia come into this fixture on the back of an eight-match unbeaten streak (W5, D3), friendlies included. Defensively robust, they notably kept a clean sheet seven times during that eight-game sequence, with a 2-1 home win over Kosovo in the UEFA Nations League being the lone exception. At home, Matjaž Kek’s men have suffered just one defeat in their last ten encounters in all competitions (W5, D4), with half (5) of those fixtures seeing one or both sides fail to get on the scoresheet. On the flip side, however, they have lost all three competitive H2Hs as hosts, scoring two goals while conceding six in return. The hosts tend to go cagey against the UEFA nations ranked in the top 20 by FIFA, with four of their last five such contests producing under 2.5 total goals and seeing just one team find the net.

Meanwhile, the visitors have lost each of their last three competitive games, all of which have seen one of the teams win the first half ‘to nil’ (HT: W1, L2). Indeed, FIFA World Cup 2018 finalists are going through their longest winless streak under the stewardship of Zlatko Dalic (D1, L3). Worryingly, the ‘Blazers’ managed just a single clean sheet in 12 away fixtures since exiting the 2018 World Cup. High scoring has been a common theme in Croatia’s recent competitive matches as all of the last seven have seen over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. Against this backdrop, each of their previous three away games against the nations ranked within ten places of Slovenia have featured under 1.5 total goals, with Croatia keeping a blank sheet each time.

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Malta vs Russia

Ta’Qali National Stadium is the venue as Malta and Russia kick-start their respective World Cup Qualifying campaigns.

Though they’ve lost each of their last nine qualifying fixtures, the Mediterranean minnows are unbeaten in their previous five competitive outings (W2, D3), four of which have featured under 2.5 total goals. Malta’s chances of securing a place at the final tournament for the first time are faint, especially considering they finished the last World Cup qualifying campaign with a single point from ten matches (D1, L9). Ranked at #176 by FIFA, the ‘Falcons’ have picked up just five competitive victories on home soil in the 21st century. When they lose, it tends to be in a disturbing fashion, as six of their last eight home defeats in the qualifiers (European Championship and World Cup) have yielded a losing margin of over 1.5 goals.

In the meantime, the Russians are chasing their third consecutive appearance at the final tournament for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia’s first-half performances in recent times have been rather vivid, with only two of their last nine competitive fixtures seeing a half-time stalemate. Adding to this sentiment, Stanislav Cherchesov’s men have won the first half by an identical 2-0 scoreline in four of their previous five victories away from home, subsequently keeping a clean sheet on three occasions. However, the ‘Sbornaya’ have lost both of their last two away matches in all competitions, scoring twice while conceding eight goals in return. Yet, both of those fixtures have featured 3+ first-half goals, with the opener in each coming within 11 minutes of play.

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