Football accumulator tips for Thursday March 24: Portugal power 4-1 acca

The race to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this winter heats up on Thursday as the qualification stage enters the playoff phase in Europe, followed by the penultimate round of qualifiers in South America.

All bets must be placed by 7.45m on Thursday.

Racing Post Sport's Chris Rivers has picked:

Portugal to beat Turkey

Sweden to beat Czech Republic

Under 2.5 goals in Wales v Austria

Ecuador or draw double chance v Paraguay

Click here to add our football accumulator to your bet365 betslip, which pays over 4-1

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

Portugal v Turkey

Turkey are looking for a first win over Portugal in a competitive international but are likely to fall short in their quest. They haven’t won away to a top-40 ranked nation in four years and are taking on a Portugal side who are very strong at home and have a 100 per cent record from four previous World Cup playoff matches.

Sweden v Czech Republic

Sweden have won their last nine matches at the Friends Arena and can reach double figures at the expense of a Czech Republic side lacking significant punch due to the absence of strikers Patrik Schick and Matej Vydra.

Wales v Austria

Wales finished runners-up in their qualifying group thanks largely to a defensive gameplan and that scheme is unlikely to change for the visit of Austria. Under 2.5 goals has copped in 12 of Wales’s last 15 home games and in three of Austria’s five away matches in the group stage.

Paraguay v Ecuador

Ecuador are within touching distance of a place at the World Cup, sitting third in the South American section. A win in Ciudad del Este would secure Ecuador a trip to Qatar and they should at least avoid defeat against a Paraguay side who have failed to even score during their ongoing seven-game winless run.

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport