Austria to end nearly three decades of hurt at last.
And so we reach the end of the first World Cup qualification round. From Austria’s heroic 10-0 demolition of San Marino to that iconic 0-0 draw between Malta and Lithuania, it truly has been an enriching and riveting experience chock full of surprises from the start.
In all seriousness, only a select group of teams still have anything to play for in what remains of the UEFA qualifiers, amongst which are of course Wales, who host North Macedonia in a direct battle for second place in Group J.
That clash is one of five picks in this final World Cup qualification acca of 2025, as cobbled together by PP tipster Tamhas Woods.
*All games kick off at 7.45pm
Austria v Bosnia – Goal Range Home/Away: 2-4/0-2
Bulgaria v Georgia – Georgia to Win
Kosovo v Switzerland – Switzerland to Win & Both Teams to Score
Spain v Turkey – Spain 3+ Shots On Target in Each Half
Wales v North Macedonia – Under 1.5 First Half Goals
An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHERE: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
TV: UEFA TV
Goal Range Home/Away: 2-4/0-2
Austria need a mere point at home against Bosnia to reach their first World Cup finals since 1998. Frankly, it’s a stunning length of absence for a national side that’s nurtured the likes of four-time Champions League winner David Alaba and all-time top scorer Marko Arnautovic, especially with Austria’s last World Cup win dating back further still, to 1990.
Blame karma, after they played their part in that unholy screw job on Algeria back in 1982.
Anyway, we digress, and as for the task that faces them on Tuesday, we fancy them to notch a reasonably comfortable win over Bosnia. For the benefit of those amongst us who aren’t Rainman, they restricted the Bosnians well in September’s reverse fixture, before eventually running out 2-1 winners.
That was also the score line in Austria’s only prior home qualifier against comparable opposition, in the form of Romania, so this selection has a safe feel to it, especially with Bosnia keeping just two clean sheets in eight overall, with both of those shutouts coming against the running joke that is San Marino.
WHERE: National Stadium Vasil Levski, Sofia
TV: UEFA TV
Georgia to Win
Both are out already, and frankly, we wouldn’t blame them for just sitting on the touchlines, talking about how we’re all different but on a deeper level exactly the same. Regardless, there’s still pride at stake, and Bulgaria’s current crop most certainly don’t want to record the nation’s first winless set of World Cup qualifiers in 72 years.
For what it’s worth, Georgi Rusev was the best of an outclassed bunch in Bulgaria’s 2-0 loss to Turkey on Saturday – their sixth defeat in a row if including friendlies. If he can get into the same promising positions he did over in Bursa, there’s real chance the 1994 semi finalists may avoid that unwanted record.
Sadly though, a disastrous year has seen Bulgaria look increasingly like King Midas in reverse, and their return of eight losses and one draw so far in 2025 makes it hard to argue with Georgia’s status as odds-on favourites.
There’s also a far more prolific hitman on the other side too, namely Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who will be thirsty to break his duck after a goalless pair of October internationals and another blank in Georgia’s recent 4-0 loss to Spain. Even if he’s given a mere cameo after playing the full 90’ against the Euro 2024 winners, the PSG star can still do some real damage.
WHERE: Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri, Pristina
TV: UEFA TV
Switzerland to Win & Both Teams to Score
Switzerland merely need to avoid a six-goal margin of defeat to reach a sixth successive World Cup. They’ll do that no problem, and with Breel Embolo scoring his fourth qualifying goal of the current cycle in Switzerland’s 4-1 demolition of Sweden on Saturday, they have a real agent of destruction.
Notably, each of Embolo’s qualifying goals have come before half-time, so he’s also a good pick to net first and ease any lingering tension among the Swiss faithful.
Then again, Switzerland’s wide margin of victory didn’t tell the whole story. There were several opportunities for Sweden to take the lead after they netted a very avoidable equaliser, with more than a hint of fortune for the Swiss when Benjamin Nygren twice missed by a hair and Gregor Kobel denied Mattias Svanberg at point-blank range.
Kosovo have nothing to lose by adopting an attacking mindset, and unless the Swiss have figured out how to be more composed in defence since their last game, it could well pay off.
WHERE: Estadio de La Cartuja, Sevilla
TV: Amazon Prime (UK)
Spain 3+ Shots On Target in Each Half
Anyone backing Turkey to beat Spain 7-0 in their own backyard? No we thought not. And let’s face it, even the most optimistic of Turks know that isn’t going to happen.
Aside from Spain’s 6-0 win in the reverse clash, justification for this selection can be found in the fact it’s prevailed in all five of Spain’s previous qualifiers. We’ll also likely see a bit of showboating here, if Spain are cruising as expected, which increases the likelihood of long-range efforts and Turkish fouls.
Indeed, with the Turks hitting double figures for fouls committed in their previous two qualifiers, there’s sure to be at least a couple of Spanish free kicks flying in if nothing else, further boosting the prospect of this one getting a tick on the old slip.
WHERE: Cardiff City Stadium
TV: BBC One & Three / BBC iPlayer
Under 1.5 First-Half Goals
It’s still mathematically possible for either of these sides to gazump Belgium at the top of Group J – but let’s not kid ourselves, this game is exactly what we called it earlier, with the Red Devils set to demolish utter no-hopers Liechtenstein and seal top spot.
Yet, finishing second isn’t without its privileges, as it comes with a supposedly easier draw for the playoff round. Both sides are already guaranteed a playoff spot though, so it’s hard to imagine them going hell for leather straight away.
Tuesday’s Football Tips: World Cup qualifiers
Austria v Bosnia – Goal Range Home/Away: 2-4/0-2
Bulgaria v Georgia – Georgia to Win
Kosovo v Switzerland – Switzerland to Win & Both Teams to Score
Spain v Turkey – Spain 3+ Shots On Target in Each Half
Wales v North Macedonia – Under 1.5 First Half Goals
An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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