The first of the European region 2022 World Cup play offs take place on Thursday and we focus on Portugal v Turkey and Wales v Austria.
These matches are essentially semi finals so the winners will have another hurdle to overcome to clinch one of the 3 remaining places available from the European zone at the World Cup Finals later this year.
Portugal 4/10 Draw 3.67/1 Turkey 6.43/1
Portugal were runners up (3 points behind Serbia) in their qualifying group with Ireland a distant third. They won 5, drew 2 and lost 1 of their group matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding 6. They lost top spot after a 0-0 draw in Ireland followed by a 2-1 defeat at home to Serbia in their final group match. They also drew 2-2 in Serbia and were foot perfect against some pretty weak nations.
In last years Euro's Portugal came through the group of death behind France and Germany but went out in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
Turkey were also runners up in their group, finishing 2 points behind the Netherlands and 3 ahead of third placed Norway. They won 6, drew 3 and lost 1 of their group matches, scoring 27 goals and conceding 16. Six of those goals conceded came in a hiding in the Netherlands but they did beat the Dutch 4-2 in an earlier home game.
In last years Euro's Turkey had a really tough time, losing all 3 of their matches to Italy, Wales and Switzerland
Verdict:
Portugal were far from convincing in qualifying but my concern with Turkey is they don't appear to keep many clean sheets and they had a really poor Euro's.
I will go with a goal range of 2-3 in total.
Bet: Goal range 2-3 at 0.93/1
A 100% Welcome bonus up to R1000 is available for all new customers!
Wales 1.73/1 Draw 2/1 Austria 1.69/1
Wales were runners up to Belgium in their qualifying group, 5 points adrift of the group winners and 1 in front of Czech Republic. They won 4, drew 3 and lost just 1 of their matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding 9. After losing their opening group match 3-1 in Belgium they were unbeaten and a 1-1 draw in the return with the Belgians was enough to see them through.
In last years Euro finals Wales qualified for the knockout rounds behind Italy but but went out in the Round of 16 with a 4-0 hiding off Denmark.
Despite finishing well behind Denmark and Scotland in their group Austria squeezed into the play offs. They won 5, drew 1 and lost 4 of their matches, scoring 23 goals and conceding 21. If you want to use Scotland as a form horse the Austrians drew 2-2 away from home and the Scots won the return 1-0. They also lost home and away to Denmark and went down 5-2 in Israel.
In last years Euro's Austria won 2 of 3 group matches before taking Italy to extra time in the Round of 16 where they lost 2-1.
Verdict:
The market is struggling to name a favourite and although Wales were the more reliable team in qualifying I can understand why the draw is so short.
Bet: 90 minute draw at 2/1
A 100% Welcome bonus up to R1000 is available for all new customers!
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
GFTG Newsletter
Subscribe to our free weekly betting mailer which will include our best and value bets below.
