Betting Preview: Best 5 predictions for Saturday’s World Cup qualifiers

Saturday will see yet more nations playing for all the marbles in World Cup qualifying across various confederations. Here are a selection of good value betting picks to choose from.

Liberia vs Nigeria

The Super Eagles hold their destiny in their hands, as a win in Tangiers would put them within a point of making it into the playoff round.

The head-to-head is highly in favor of the bigger West African nation, with only one loss in nine previous meetings and one draw.

Since the qualifiers began, Nigeria have not scored more than three goals in any match and like the reverse fixture in Lagos reflected with a 2-0 win, punters can expect a similar outcome. 

Prediction: Nigeria 1-3 goals

Equatorial Guinea vs Tunisia

The Carthage Eagles head to this game in Malabo top of Group C, three points ahead of their opponents.

Avoiding defeat would be the barest minimum, as it would ensure they head into the final round of group fixtures with a healthy goal difference margin.

All but one of the previous six meetings between Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea has witnessed two goals or more and it looks like another probable outcome on Saturday.

Prediction: Over 1.5 goals

France vs Kazakhstan

Les Bleus will feel comfortable coming into this match as they face the lowest-ranked and bottom side in their group.

With just three points, the Kazakhs are playing for pride. For the French though, a win on home territory will seal an automatic berth in Qatar for next year. 

Since Kazakhstan aren’t expected to give France any trouble, there’s a good opportunity for the home team to keep a clean sheet just like they did in the reverse fixture in Nur-Sultan back in March. 

Prediction: France clean sheet

Wales vs Belarus

Just like Kazakhstan, Belarus are playing for pride and are also rock bottom of their group with no chance of qualification. 

The focus therefore is on the Welsh, who are tied on 11 points with second-placed Czech Republic. The Czechs don’t play until next week against lowly Estonia, hence this is a must win home match for Wales if they are to build momentum into their final qualifier also at home to Belgium.

Rob Page’s look good for victory as they are enjoying a 14-game unbeaten home run (W10 D4) which stretches back to November 2018. They have kept 11 clean sheets in the process, and that is something that is likely to happen again. 

Prediction: Wales clean sheet

Montenegro vs Netherlands

The Brave Falcons’ qualification hopes came to an end after losing at Norway last time out. They can however still aim for a third place finish in Group G which will be their best placing for the third consecutive World Cup qualifying series.

The Dutch, on their part, are top of the pile with 19 points, just two clear or second-placed Norway. It’s therefore a must-win to avoid finishing in the playoff spot, which would make qualification prospects a gamble and potentially lead to another miss like in 2018.

If one is to go by the reverse fixture where the Dutch were victorious 4-0, this should be another easy win particularly with the in-form Memphis Depay leading the scorers charts with nine goals. He has scored at least twice in every qualifier and he’s good money to do that again in Podgorica.

Prediction: Memphis Depay to score

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Kunle is an avid writer with interest in topics on sports, politics and health. His articles have featured in Goal.com, Opera News and Vanguard News. He holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in International Relations and is an advocate for people living with Hydrocephalus and other neurological conditions.

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