The summer of 2017 may only just be past us but before you know it there will be another summer and a World Cup to look forward to. Now we just need to know which teams will be playing in Russia and the qualifying periods are here to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

It’s too much to try to get a bet out of every game so forgive me if I don’t have anything for Abania v Liechtenstein or other matches where I see little to no value. I don’t want to waste your time on “maybes”, instead I want to look at the matches where there are bets.

The first bet is on the Finland v Iceland game. This is the first World Cup qualifying campaign for Finland coach Markku Kanerva, he’s earnt his place by working as caretaker manager twice and also as an assistant under Hans Backe. The way things are going though, he may not get another chance. Finland is without a win in their last 5 World Cup Qualifying matches and they are already out of the World Cup reckoning. Iceland, on the other hand, sit second in their group, level on points with the leaders Croatia and 2 points ahead of Turkey. Even away from home I expect them to pick up a win here and the odds of 2.02 with Pinnacle are very acceptable.

My next one is risky, Georgia against Republic of Ireland is the game and my bet is over 2.5. It sits in my sweet spot of nice odds (2.47 with Pinnacle) and standing a pretty good chance. Republic of Ireland are a good side but their defence isn’t watertight and I would not be surprised to see a 2-1 win to the visitors.

Up next is Israel v FYR Macedonia. Israel has a couple of real veterans in their side now and it shows in their play. Israel often starts games pretty well but tail off in the second half. I don’t think they’ve got the legs or the personnel to put in two good halves right now. Israel are the favourites to win this game and rightly so in my opinion, that does mean they’re pretty likely to take a lead in the first half and so I’m on Israel to win the first half at 2.25 with Bet365.

One more bet to finish the round off and for me that’s in the plum tie of the day. Spain v Italy. Ok, neither of these sides is the youngest around but there is still quality on both sides and this should be an excellent game. Great matches don’t always make the best games for betting though so I’m keeping my stake low and taking the 3.49 that Pinnacle are offering for the draw. 

The summer of 2017 may only just be past us but before you know it there will be another summer and a World Cup to look forward to. Now we just need to know which teams will be playing in Russia and the qualifying periods are here to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

It’s too much to try to get a bet out of every game so forgive me if I don’t have anything for Abania v Liechtenstein or other matches where I see little to no value. I don’t want to waste your time on “maybes”, instead I want to look at the matches where there are bets.

The first bet is on the Finland v Iceland game. This is the first World Cup qualifying campaign for Finland coach Markku Kanerva, he’s earnt his place by working as caretaker manager twice and also as an assistant under Hans Backe. The way things are going though, he may not get another chance. Finland is without a win in their last 5 World Cup Qualifying matches and they are already out of the World Cup reckoning. Iceland, on the other hand, sit second in their group, level on points with the leaders Croatia and 2 points ahead of Turkey. Even away from home I expect them to pick up a win here and the odds of 2.02 with Pinnacle are very acceptable.

My next one is risky, Georgia against Republic of Ireland is the game and my bet is over 2.5. It sits in my sweet spot of nice odds (2.47 with Pinnacle) and standing a pretty good chance. Republic of Ireland are a good side but their defence isn’t watertight and I would not be surprised to see a 2-1 win to the visitors.

Up next is Israel v FYR Macedonia. Israel has a couple of real veterans in their side now and it shows in their play. Israel often starts games pretty well but tail off in the second half. I don’t think they’ve got the legs or the personnel to put in two good halves right now. Israel are the favourites to win this game and rightly so in my opinion, that does mean they’re pretty likely to take a lead in the first half and so I’m on Israel to win the first half at 2.25 with Bet365.

One more bet to finish the round off and for me that’s in the plum tie of the day. Spain v Italy. Ok, neither of these sides is the youngest around but there is still quality on both sides and this should be an excellent game. Great matches don’t always make the best games for betting though so I’m keeping my stake low and taking the 3.49 that Pinnacle are offering for the draw.