Exciting World Cup Qualifying Predictions and Betting Tips
Austria -1 on handicap vs Romania
Austria vs Romania, 7:45 PM Saturday
1pt at 23-20 Hills
Cody Gakpo to score at any time vs Finland
Finland vs Netherlands, 7:45 PM Saturday
1pt at 9-5 Paddy Power
World Cup Qualifying Predictions
It’s time for the nations to rise and fall as they chase glory in the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Austria, who last graced a World Cup stage in 1998, has a golden opportunity to break their long drought, thanks to a more favorable qualifying group.
This Saturday, Ralf Rangnick’s squad kicks off their campaign against Romania, eager to shake off the disappointment of their Nations League performance. While Austria finished as runners-up behind Norway, they narrowly lost in the promotion play-off to Serbia. They desperately need a win against the Tricolorii for a confidence boost.
Romania comes into this match licking their wounds after a shocking 1-0 defeat at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their opening qualifier. The Romanian squad, sporting an average age of thirty, may struggle to match the youthful energy of the Austrian team, which has netted an impressive 11 goals in their last four home fixtures. Backing Austria to win by two or more goals seems a strong bet here.
Now, let’s turn our focus to the Netherlands. They are looking to rebound after a tough quarter-final bout against the European champions, Spain, where they lost on penalties. Their upcoming match against Finland should represent a significant drop in competition for the Dutch side. Finland, reeling from six straight defeats in the Nations League, recently managed only a 2-2 draw against Lithuania.
Cody Gakpo has emerged as a critical player for the Netherlands, scoring pivotal goals in recent tournaments, including three goals deep into the 2022 World Cup. He’s already found the net against Spain this year and is poised to continue his fine form in Helsinki. Placing a bet on Gakpo to score at any time is highly recommended.
What to Watch For: Albania vs Serbia
One matchup to keep an eye on is Albania hosting Serbia, a match steeped in a rich yet volatile political history. The teams have met only twice before, with one encounter even being abandoned. Bookmakers are wisely withholding betting options on card markets, anticipating potential fireworks in Tirana.
Further Insights and Betting Options
For those who want to dive deeper, check out:
- Andorra vs England Predictions, Tips, Odds, and Bet Builder Tips
- Andorra vs England Betting Offer: Win at 25-1 with England or 500-1 with Andorra by William Hill
Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience with. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, supporting our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.
