Thursday's 2022 World Cup qualifying predictions and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Thursday's 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Where to watch

Sweden v Spain
Sky Sports Premier League, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bets

Sweden draw no bet
1pt 13-5 Betfair, PaddyPower

Kosovo
1pt 23-10 Betfair, PaddyPower

Match previews

Sweden proved to be stubborn opponents for Spain in the group stage at Euro 2020, holding Luis Enrique's men to a 0-0 draw in Seville earlier this summer, and they can put up a fight again when the teams meet in a World Cup qualifier.

La Roja made the semi-finals of this year's European Championship but struggled to break down the Swedes, who went as far as the last 16.

Prior to the tournament, Sweden started qualification for next year's World Cup in Qatar with wins to nil against Georgia and Kosovo and can handle the step up in quality in Stockholm.

After a congested summer, in which key players were also involved at the Olympics, Spain have had to make squad changes for their upcoming matches and will be without crucial players such as Pedri, Dani Olmo, Pau Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal.

Sweden, meanwhile, have Euro 2020 stars Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak available and are worth chancing in the draw-no-bet market.

Elsewhere in Group B of World Cup qualifying, basement boys Kosovo are worth backing to get their first points on the board.

They started their campaign against the group's top two sides in Spain and Sweden, losing both of those matches, but they have enough in their locker to dispatch Georgia.

Norwich new boy Milot Rashica is in the squad along with Serie A marksman Vedat Muriqi and their attacking firepower should give them the edge.

Kosovo ensured their players kept together over the summer months with four friendly fixtures arranged, and although the opposition was weak, victories over San Marino, Malta and Gambia will have helped them establish a winning mentality.

Georgia have lost to Spain and Sweden and drew with Greece, and were disappointing in their last qualifying campaign for Euro 2020.

Their only wins on that occasion came against Gibraltar and they are unlikely to pose much of a threat.

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport