Estonia vs. Czech Republic (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Czech Republic begin their bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup with a fixture away in Estonia.
While the visitors are expected to compete with Wales for second spot behind Belgium, Estonia are regarded as the minnows of Group E.
We say: Estonia 0-2 Czech Republic
While both teams will place a certain focus on keeping things tight at the back, the visitors will show a greater urgency in attack. With that in mind, we expect Czech Republic to run out convincing winners on Wednesday night.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Turkey vs. Netherlands (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
The Netherlands begin their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign with a tricky trip to Turkey on Wednesday evening as Group G gets up and running.
Frank de Boer's men are favourites to finish top of the standings, while Turkey are second seeds and are much fancied to join their opponents in Qatar next year.
We say: Turkey 1-1 Netherlands
The Netherlands' form picked up at the end of 2020 and they are unbeaten in five heading into this new qualifying campaign.
However, Turkey are themselves on a good run, even accounting for a 2-0 loss against Hungary last time out, and have showed over the past two years they can hold the elite nations to a draw.
With that in mind, we are tipping this clash between Group G's top two seeds to finish all square.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Netherlands could line up against Turkey
Portugal vs. Azerbaijan (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Portugal kick off their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign on Wednesday when they do battle with Azerbaijan in Group A at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Fernando Santos's men will be aiming to progress to the finals for the sixth time running, whereas Azerbaijan are bidding to qualify as an independent nation for the first time in their history.
We say: Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan
Portugal and Azerbaijan both demonstrated their admirable defensive qualities throughout 2020, although Ronaldo and co are sure to break the visitors' resilience here. De Biasi will be praying for a memorable return to his homeland, but it is impossible to back anything other than a comfortable win for Portugal to kick off their qualification campaign in perfect fashion.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Portugal could line up against Azerbaijan
Serbia vs. Rep. Ireland (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Familiar foes Serbia and Republic of Ireland face off Red Star Stadium on Wednesday evening as both nations get their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign under way.
The two countries were in the same group in the previous World Cup qualifying campaign and will both be looking to match their top-two finishes this time around.
We say: Serbia 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Neither side had the best of years last time out, each falling just short in qualifying for Euro 2020 before disappointing Nations League campaigns.
Republic of Ireland have not beaten Serbia in five previous encounters, including their double header in the World Cup 2018 campaign, and we can see the hosts prevailing again on Wednesday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Finland vs. Bosnia H'vina (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
After the jubilation of qualifying for their first ever European Championships, Finland will now seek to kick off qualification for the 2022 World Cup in the right way when they take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in their first match of Group D this Wednesday.
The hosts' 2020 saw them claim second spot in their Nations League group, while Bosnia were relegated from League A after a dismal set of results.
We say: Finland 2-1 Bosnia
Even though Bosnia's 2020 results make for rather bleak reading, the calibre of the opponents in their Nations League group must be taken into account. However, Finland are only heading in one direction, and they will hardly get a better opportunity to qualify for the biggest stage of them all, so we are backing the Nordic side to begin their bid for a World Cup finals appearance in ideal fashion with a narrow win in the capital.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
France vs. Ukraine (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
France take the first step towards defending their World Cup crown on Wednesday when they welcome Ukraine to the Stade de France in qualification Group D on Wednesday evening.
The hosts will be eyeing a comfortable route to Qatar over the next year, while Ukraine are bidding to qualify for the finals for the first time since 2006.
We say: France 3-0 Ukraine
Ukraine will do all in their power to avoid being on the end of another six-goal thrashing against the World Champions, and the visitors have lost some key players to injury before their trip to the Stade de France. Furthermore, Shevchenko's side cannot forget their Nations League campaign quickly enough, whereas a near full-strength France will be brimming with confidence, so a comfortable win for the holders is the only outcome that we can envisage this week.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How France could line up against Ukraine
Belgium vs. Wales (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Belgium will be seeking some revenge against Wales when they kick off their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign at Den Dreef in Leuven on Wednesday evening.
The Red Devils are ranked number one in the world, but they have famously failed to beat Group E opponents Wales in recent encounters.
We say: Belgium 2-1 Wales
Wales have a great recent record against Belgium and enter this game unbeaten in 11 competitive matches since June 2019.
However, the Red Devils will be eager to get their latest qualifying campaign off to a winning start and, blessed with the options Martinez has available, we can see them coming out on top on Wednesday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Gibraltar vs. Norway (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Gibraltar and Norway return to international action on Wednesday evening for their opening World Cup 2022 qualifier at Victoria Stadium.
The two nations are joined in Group G by the Netherlands, Turkey, Montenegro and Latvia and the visitors will be hoping to kick-start their campaign with a victory as they look to progress to their first major tournament since 2000.
We say: Gibraltar 0-5 Norway
With a talented squad emerging, Norway's levels of expectation have been raised considerably, with extra pressure now on them to deliver after failing to qualify for Euro 2020.
The Lions have been given a seemingly straightforward start to their World Cup qualifying campaign and should be too strong for Gibraltar, with a convincing victory expected for the visitors.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Latvia vs. Montenegro (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
Latvia and Montenegro square off in Group G on Wednesday evening looking to get their World Cup qualification bid off to a winning start.
With Netherlands, Turkey and Norway to come in the future, neither nation can afford to lose the fixture in Riga.
We say: Latvia 1-3 Montenegro
While Montenegro have dropped down the world rankings in recent years, they still enough quality in their ranks to be respected in this group. With that in mind, we are backing Jovetic and Co to get off to a convincing start as they look to take full advantage of a favourable double-header.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Cyprus vs. Slovakia (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Slovakia square off against Cyprus on Wednesday evening as they look to take the first step to securing World Cup qualification for the second time in their history.
While they have been drawn in a favourable group, Stefan Tarkovic's men will be wary of a Cyprus side who have performed well on home territory in the past.
We say: Cyprus 0-2 Slovakia
Despite having little chance of qualification, Cyprus will fancy their chances of earning at least a share of the spoils on Wednesday evening. However, we are backing the visitors to produce an efficient performance, one which should secure all three points.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Malta vs. Russia (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Russia kick off their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign on Wednesday evening when they travel to the Ta' Qali National Stadium to face Malta in Group H.
The 2018 World Cup hosts, who are winless in their last six international matches, will be hoping to qualify for their third finals in succession.
We say: Malta 0-3 Russia
Malta have won only five competitive matches this century, making this encounter an apparent foregone conclusion, but the hosts will try to make it a frustrating evening for Russia on Wednesday.
However, the visitors should have no problems in securing a comfortable victory and their first away from home since September 2020.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Slovenia vs. Croatia (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Aiming to go one better than they did in the 2018 World Cup, Croatia kick off their qualification campaign for Qatar 2022 on Wednesday when they travel to Ljubljana to take on Slovenia in Group H.
The hosts are aiming to reach the finals for the first time since 2010, while Croatia's aspirations are slightly higher after a magnificent run in Russia three years ago.
We say: Slovenia 0-2 Croatia
Croatia's record against Slovenia speaks for itself, and the 2018 runners-up should have no trouble easing to victory in their inaugural match of the group, even in the absence of two key attackers. The hosts enjoyed an exceptional 2020 but will likely be brought crashing back down to earth on Wednesday, as a routine win for Croatia is the only outcome that we can envisage here.
