About two months remain until what will likely be the two most important weeks for Italian football in recent history, the World Cup playoffs: we are therefore ready with our predictions, first and foremost for the match that the Azzurri will have to face on March 26th in Bergamo against Northern Ireland.
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Then, hoping to have to deal with the final playoff against Wales or Bosnia, possibly away. In any case, we will analyze not only Italy-Northern Ireland but also 3 other playoff matches.
Of course, always remember that on Assopoker there are the sections Today’s Predictions and Today’s Betting Slips.
After analyzing the legal markets and the relative odds of the best legal bookmakers, we present our predictions.
World Cup Playoff Predictions, Italy – Northern Ireland
It will be a struggle, for sure. The weight of the previous two World Cup editions in which we did not qualify risks weighing on the legs of Gattuso’s players. Furthermore, Northern Ireland itself evokes unpleasant memories, starting with that 1958 World Cup where we didn’t participate precisely because of a defeat in Belfast.
The fact is that even in more recent times, a 0-0 in Northern Ireland in 2021 cost us first place in the qualifying group for the World Cup in Qatar, followed by a playoff loss to North Macedonia.
However, the odds show no doubt in favor of Italy, and all things considered, in terms of World Cup playoff predictions, we agree, because at home, in the cauldron of Bergamo, perhaps even suffering, we should manage to get through.
| Operator |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 1.30 | 1.30 | 1.32 |
| Draw | 5.00 | 4.75 | 4.90 |
| Northern Ireland | 10.00 | 10.80 | 9.00 |
Playoff Matches: Wales – Bosnia, watch out for past encounters
From here, hopefully, our future opponent in the playoff final will emerge. Wales performed very well in their group, even risking direct qualification over Belgium. Bosnia, on the other hand, entered the playoff system by the skin of their teeth.
Therefore, pay attention to this match and past encounters, in which Dzeko and his teammates are undefeated in 4 occasions. In fact, Bosnia once won away against Wales, albeit in a friendly.
It is true that the Dragons are heavily favored in the odds, but the Balkan team, precisely because of this spirit of having nothing to lose, could be very dangerous in terms of World Cup playoff predictions.
| Operator | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | 1.90 | 1.87 | 1.79 |
| Draw | 3.25 | 3.25 | 3.03 |
| Bosnia | 4.00 | 4.40 | 4.10 |
World Cup Playoff Predictions, Sweden’s redemption?
One of the most disappointing national teams in the qualification process for the 2026 World Cup was Sweden. With a caveat: once they realized they wouldn’t get direct qualification, the Scandinavians relaxed, knowing they had the playoff lifeline thanks to the Nations League.
Of course, the coach was fired, and the results for Gyokeres and his teammates were borderline embarrassing, but now they have the chance to play against Ukraine on neutral ground, in Valencia, given the still precarious situation in the Kyiv area due to the war with Russia.
In short, an almost ideal condition for a national team that, based on results, doesn’t really deserve to go to the USA, Canada, and Mexico, but which still has a chance thanks to the convoluted playoff format.
| Operator | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | 2.70 | 2.75 | 2.65 |
| Draw | 3.10 | 3.05 | 3.15 |
| Sweden | 2.60 | 2.65 | 2.65 |
World Cup Playoffs, Slovakia or the Kosovo fairytale
What a story, Kosovo. If they were to actually go to the World Cup, it would be one of the most beautiful surprises in the history of the entire tournament, in an enlarged event context. On the other hand, they will face a Slovakia that is more or less staying on the fringes of the continental elite with the goal of making the leap to the world stage.
Whoever wins, it should be said, will still be the underdog against Romania or Turkey. In short, for both teams, this match looks very much like a final, with the added comfort of knowing that a second victory is highly unlikely (but who knows).
Furthermore, this is an absolutely unprecedented match between Slovakia and Kosovo, with the two coaches, Calzona and Foda, having met only once, in a 0-0 draw between Slovakia and Austria.
| Operator | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovakia | 1.90 | 1.87 | 1.87 |
| Draw | 3.25 | 3.35 | 3.40 |
| Kosovo | 4.25 | 4.15 | 4.10 |
World Cup Playoffs, where to bet
These will be intense weeks for us Italians, but not only: bookmakers offer various betting options, with comparative odds for all types of bets on the event.
.it betting sites offer new users welcome betting bonuses that provide additional amounts upon account opening or first deposit. Below, we present a comparative table with details on bonus amount, usage methods, and wagering requirements.
We also remind you that there is a dedicated page for boosted odds, i.e., increased odds for betting on events with more favorable odds.
