It’s play off time for European 2026 World Cup Final places and our focus of Thursday’s semi final coupon is on Czech Republic v Rep of Ireland, Italy v Northern Ireland and Wales v Bosnia & Herzegovina
Essentially these are semi final match ups but played over one leg and the winners of each tie (there are 8 in total) will then go through to the final knockout round which takes place early next week.
Czech Republic v Rep of Ireland
In their qualifying group Czech Republic won 5, drew 1 and lost 2 of their qualifiers to finish as runners up to Croatia with Faroe Islands and Montenegro next best and Gibraltar never got in a blow. They were unbeaten at home at home with 3 wins and a 0-0 draw with Croatia whilst their 2 defeats came in Croatia and also in the Faroe Islands.
Republic of Ireland won 3 of their 6 qualifying group matches, drawing 1 and losing 2 and they finished as runners up to Portugal with Hungary third and Armenia fourth. They took just 1 point from their first 3 matches, a 2-2 draw at home to Hungary and defeats in Armenia and Portugal. However wins at home to Armenia and Portugal followed by 3-2 victory in Hungary earned them a crack at the play offs with the winner here scheduled to meet Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin.
Italy v Northern Ireland
Although they won 6 and lost 2 of their 8 qualifying group matches Italy finished as runners to Norway who boasted a 100% record. Israel were third with Estonia and Moldova making up the numbers. Heavy defeats to Norway, 3-0 away and 4-1 at home took the gloss off their campaign and leaves them running the gauntlet of the play offs with the winner here facing either Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina in the play off finals.
Northen Ireland finished behind Germany and Slovakia in their group with a record of 3 wins and 3 defeats but still booked a play-off spot thanks to their Nations League finish in 2024. Luxembourg were the also rans in the group failing to earn a point. They didn’t disgrace themselves in losing home and away to Germany whilst a home win over Slovakia was the stand out result.
Italy have home advantage with the game staged in Bergamo, Tonali is an injury doubt for the hosts whilst Northern Ireland are missing 2 key defenders in Dan Ballard and Conor Bradley.
Wales v Bosnia & Herzegovina
Wales were second of the 5 nations in their qualifying group which was topped by Belgium. North Macedonia were third Kazakhstan came in fourth and Liechtenstein never got in a blow. They won 5, drew 1 and lost 2 of their matches and those defeats came at home (4-2) and away (4-3) to Belgium.
Bosnia won 5, drew 2 and lost 1 of their qualifiers to finish as runners up to Austria. Romania and Cyprus came in third and fourth and San Marino were rock bottom. They won their first 4 games but the 2 clashes with Austria saw Bosnia earn just the 1 point and they had to settle for the runners up spot. A 1-1 draw in Austria was arguably their stand out result away from home.
Thursday’s Bets:
With such a huge rewards for getting through these play offs I’m thinking these games could be tight and whilst I rarely venture into punting international football I’ll have an interest in an under 2.5 goals treble in the above matches which should pay at around 9/2.
Note, odds are subject to change