Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Indonesia
Nigeria

Thursday's European Championship Qualifying predictions including Wales vs. Finland

sportsmole.co.uk, 21 March 2024, 06:00
Georgia vs. Luxembourg (Thursday, 5.00pm)

Two sides still without a single appearance at a major tournament square off in Path C of the Euro 2024 qualifying playoffs on Thursday, as Georgia welcome Luxembourg to Tbilisi in their semi-final.

A showdown with Greece or Kazakhstan is on offer for the winner in next Tuesday's final, where the prize will be a slot in Group F with Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

We say: Georgia 1-1 Luxembourg (a.e.t. - Georgia to win on penalties)

With both managers forced to cope without one of their key offensive players for the semi-final, an extremely tight affair should be in store in Tbilisi, where Georgia may have previously been considered the favourites had Kvaratskhelia been available.

A defensively-compact Luxembourg can therefore frustrate their visitors for 120 minutes, but when it comes to the dreaded spot kicks, home advantage may just do the trick for Sagnol's side as they prolong their dreams of Euros qualification while dashing Luxembourg's.

Poland vs. Estonia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

One of the biggest mismatches in the Euro 2024 qualifying playoffs takes place at the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on Thursday evening, as Poland take on Estonia in their Path A semi-final.

Either Wales or Finland will await the victors of this tie in next Tuesday's final, where a spot in a daunting Group D alongside France, the Netherlands and Austria in the final tournament will be at stake.

We say: Poland 4-0 Estonia

To say that Estonia earned a golden ticket to the Euro 2024 playoffs would be an understatement, and the gulf in quality between the two clubs should be apparent from the get-go.

The visitors may have pulled off a giant killing of Poland 12 years ago, but with the Eagles recently proving to be an unbeatable force at home in Euros qualifiers, a straightforward passage to the final should await the hosts on Thursday.

Wales vs. Finland (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Seeking another slice of playoff glory, Wales pit their wits against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, in their Euro 2024 qualifying playoff Path A semi-final.

Vying to join the Netherlands, France and Austria in Group D of the final tournament, the winner of the Cardiff clash will face either Poland or Estonia for the right to advance to Germany.

We say: Wales 2-0 Finland

Since reuniting in the 2020-21 Nations League, Wales have only shipped one goal against Finland in 270 minutes of football, and an ageing Huuhkajat attack were hardly convincing in a 2-1 win over perennial whipping boys San Marino a few months ago.

The Dragons are seldom outclassed in home Euros qualifiers either, and with the likes of Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson and Kieffer Moore coming good in the final third for their clubs right now, we can only envisage Page's men marching on to next week's final.

Israel vs. Iceland (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Israel and Iceland go head to head in a Euro 2024 qualification playoff semi-final in Path B at the Szusza Ferenc Stadion in Budapest on Thursday.

Seeking to join Belgium, Slovakia and Romania in Group E of the final tournament, the victors of this single-leg contest will face either Bosnia-Herzegovina or Ukraine in a playoff final for a place in Germany.

We say: Israel 1-1 Iceland (a.e.t. - Iceland to win on penalties)

The last two meetings between these two teams in the UEFA Nations League finished as 2-2 draws and another closely-fought contest could be in store on Thursday, one that may even go beyond the 90 minutes.

This fixture could go either way, with both nations possessing key players who ply their trade in a number of respected European leagues, but we are backing Iceland to come on top on this occasion in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

Bosnia H'vina vs. Ukraine (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Bosnia-Herzegovina play host to Ukraine at Stadion Bilino Polje in a Euro 2024 qualification playoff semi-final in Path B on Thursday.

A place in Group E of the final tournament alongside Belgium, Slovakia and Romania is up for grabs, with the victors of this single-leg contest to face either Israel or Iceland in a playoff final for a ticket to Germany.

We say: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine

A tight affair which could be forced beyond the 90 minutes is a possibility on Thursday, although none of Bosnia's last 12 home matches have ended in a draw, while Ukraine have drawn just one of their last 13 games on the road.

Ukraine arguably boast the stronger squad, on paper, with Rebrov able to call upon a number of Premier League stars, and considering they showed signs of promise in recent draws with Italy, Germany and England, they should find a way to come out on top against Bosnia.

Greece vs. Kazakhstan (Thursday, 7.45pm)

In one of two Euro 2024 playoff Path C semi-finals on Thursday, former continental champions Greece pit their wits against a Kazakhstan side still waiting for their first major tournament appearance.

The victor of the Athens battle will square off with Georgia or Luxembourg in next week's final for the chance to advance to Euro 2024 Group F, where Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic are waiting to welcome them.

We say: Greece 2-1 Kazakhstan

Despite being bereft of any household names, Kazakhstan have thrown down the gauntlet to many of their continental foes in recent months and will receive a timely boost with the return of leading scorer Zaynutdinov.

Thursday's game should not be a totally comfortable affair for Greece, whose defence is unlikely to emerge unscathed, but we still expect Poyet's men to march on to next week's playoff final.

Top News

27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lecce vs. Monza (Saturday, 2.00pm) Back-to-back wins for Lecce in Serie A have put them in an advantageous position to avoid relegation heading into Saturday's gameweek 34 encounter with Monza at Stadio Via del mare. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Las Palmas vs. Girona (Saturday, 1.00pm) Girona will head to an out-of-form Las Palmas outfit in La Liga on Saturday afternoon knowing that a victory would see them move above Barcelona and into second position in the table. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Blackburn vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm) Looking for the victory that could potentially secure their second-tier status, Blackburn Rovers will welcome Coventry City to Ewood Park for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 12.30pm) Reeling from their gut-wrenching derby defeat in midweek, Liverpool will endeavour to reignite their Premier League title hopes when they travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Saturday afternoon. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides who have failed to win their last three games square off in the Primeira Liga as Estoril Praia play host to Famalicao at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Sunday. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain Women will face domestic rivals Lyon Women in the second leg of the Women's Champions League semi-finals. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 31 of the 2023-24 Eredivisie season sees PEC Zwolle and Heracles face off against each other at the MAC3PARK Station on Sunday morning. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher at the end of the 2023-24 Premier League season. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Off the back of a first defeat in five matches last time out, NEC entertain the challenge of AZ Alkmaar at Stadion de Goffert on Sunday afternoon. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United Women will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to three competitive matches when they face Leicester Women at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Joel Matip is reportedly preparing to depart Liverpool in the summer, with Serie A teams expressing interest in securing his services ahead of the 2024-25 season. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur Ladies will look to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ninth-placed Sparta Rotterdam host 17th-placed FC Volendam on Sunday at the Sparta Stadion in the Eredivisie. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has suggested a number of reasons why his team may have lost 4-0 at Queens Park Rangers. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The action continues in round 31 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Portimonense and Moreirense go head to head at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Sunday. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to extend their winning run in the top flight to three matches, Metz will welcome Champions League-chasing Lille to Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City Women will continue their Women's Super League title challenge when they travel to Ashton Gate for Sunday's clash with Bristol City Women. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to get back to winning ways following defeat last time out, Strasbourg will welcome Champions League-chasing Nice to Stade de la Meinau in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City have been promoted to the Premier League courtesy of Leeds United's 4-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road this evening. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic will try to extend their current six-match run without a defeat on Sunday when they travel to face Dundee as the second phase of the Scottish Premiership kicks off. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Salernitana have become the first team to suffer relegation from Serie A this season owing to a 3-0 loss to demotion rivals Frosinone at Stadio Benito Stirpe. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The second phase of the Scottish Premiership will kickstart this weekend with St Mirren hosting Rangers. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Feyenoord over a compensation fee for Arne Slot, paving the way for him to become the club's next manager. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final match of a bumper-to-bumper gameweek 31 in Ligue 1 will see Marseille taking on Lens at the Orange Velodrome on Sunday evening. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tosin Adarabioyo has reportedly informed Fulham that he will leave the club this summer, amid interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Caykur Rizespor will be aiming to close the gap to the top four when they host Ankaragucu at the Caykur Didi Stadyumu on Sunday evening. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Gabriel Magalhaes over a new contract. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Already-relegated Istanbulspor travel to Bahcesehir Okullari Stadyumu to face Alanyaspor on Sunday afternoon. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides with varying ambitions will face off when Trabzonspor welcome Gaziantep to Papara Park on Sunday evening. 26 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly added Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi to a list of potential replacements for Mauricio Pochettino.