World Cup qualifying group predictions: Betting preview and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in Europe.

Where to watch

Sky Sports, from 5pm Wednesday

Best bets

Finland top-two finish in Group D
1pt 6-1 bet365

Wales top-two finish in Group E
3pts 8-11 bet365

Scotland to win Group F
1pt 10-1 Hills

Norway top-two finish in Group G
3pts 10-11 bet365

How 2022 World Cup qualifying works

The ten group winners in European qualifying are guaranteed a place at the 2022 World Cup.

The ten runners-up go into the playoff, along with the two highest-ranked Nations League group winners who failed to finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group.

These 12 teams are divided into three playoff paths, playing one-off semi-finals and finals. The winners of the three playoff paths advance to the World Cup finals.

2022 World Cup qualifying preview

European nations dominated the 2018 World Cup in Russia where France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final and the other two semi-finalists were Belgium and England.

The continental powers set out on the path to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this week and the qualifying fixtures also offer an opportunity for the teams preparing for Euro 2020 to hone their competitive edge.

Group A

This should be a penalty kick for Euro 2016 winners Portugal as Serbia's Euro 2020 playoff final defeat to Scotland was the latest in a long line of disappointing results.

Ireland should make the Serbs work hard for second place although they have failed to score in their last seven internationals. Luxembourg took four points off Azerbaijan in the 2020-21 Nations League.

Group B

Spain are unbeaten in their last 63 World Cup qualifiers, dating back to 1993, and they should hose up again.

Sweden followed La Roja home in Euro 2020 qualifying before losing five of their six Nations League games against France, Portugal and Croatia. They look a cut above Greece, Georgia and Kosovo.

Group C

Italy are unbeaten in 55 home World Cup qualifiers and won all ten games in Euro 2020 qualifying by an aggregate score of 37-4.

They should see off an unpredictable Switzerland side who held Germany (twice) and Spain to Nations League draws last year but lack a top-class goalscorer. Northern Ireland have not won any of their last 12 competitive games in normal time.

Group D

Sixteen of the 22 outfield players named in France's first qualifying squad are aged 27 or younger and the future looks dazzling for the world champions.

Finland, who beat Les Bleus in a friendly in November, are worth backing to upset Ukraine and Bosnia. The Finns will make their first appearance at a major tournament at Euro 2020 and they completed Nations League doubles over Ireland and Bulgaria, keeping clean sheets in ten of their last 16 competitive internationals.

Group E

Belgium, the top team in Fifa's world rankings, set the standard but Wales have a decent chance of taking runners-up spot ahead of a limited Czech Republic side.

The Welsh are unbeaten in their last 11 competitive matches, conceding only four goals, and Gareth Bale's return to form at Tottenham is a huge boost for them.

Group F

This group is rated a virtual match between Denmark and Austria but Scotland are worth a small bet to crash the party.

They showed great defensive resolve to come through the Euro 2020 playoffs and Steve Clarke's squad has a decent core of Premier League, Rangers and Celtic players with Southampton striker Che Adams hoping for an international debut this week.

Group G

Only France, Germany, Portugal and Italy have beaten the Netherlands in competitive fixtures since the start of 2018 although the Dutch face a tricky opening test away to Turkey on Wednesday.

Norway, with Martin Odegaard teeing up Erling Braut Haaland and Leipzig's Alexander Sorloth, should prove the most dangerous challengers for Frank de Boer's section favourites.

Group H

Croatia's form since reaching the 2018 final has been underwhelming and they lost five of their six Nations League games against France, Portugal and Sweden, conceding 16 goals.

They do not have much to beat in Group H, however, as second-favourites Russia were stuffed 5-0 by Serbia in their last Nations League game in November.

Group I

England's qualifying record is rock solid and they should have few problems finishing above Poland, who took one point from four Nations League matches against Italy and the Netherlands.

Robert Lewandowski should rack up the goals against Albania, Andorra and San Marino while Hungary start their campaign without brilliant Leipzig youngster Dominik Szoboszlai.

Group J

Germany lost their last Nations League game 6-0 to Spain and they were struggling defensively even before that rout.

Joachim Low, who steered Die Mannschaft to ten wins out of ten in 2018 World Cup qualifying, steps down after the Euros but his successor has little to fear from Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia and Liechtenstein.

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