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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.

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