European Qualifiers World Cup 2022 Playoffs Odds & Picks (Mar 24)

• It’s World Cup playoff week in Europe, with four semifinal ties taking place on Thursday, March 24
• Italy and Portugal are among those with work still to do in order to qualify for Qatar 2022
• We list the odds for all four games and preview each one offering our best picks

Four of the six UEFA World Cup semifinal playoffs take place on Thursday, March 24. Two of the games – Scotland vs Ukraine and Russia vs Poland – have been postponed for obvious reasons, although Scotland/Ukraine has been penciled in for June. Russia has been disqualified.

For the remaining eight teams, this is a one-off chance to make it to the playoff final and be just one game away from Qatar 2022. We list all of the odds below and preview each game looking for some potential value.

European Qualifiers Odds

Odds as of March 23 with Barstool Sportsbook

See all the UEFA World Cup odds above and read on for some best bets for this week’s games.

In one-off knockout games, home advantage is massive and this is reflected in the odds, with Italy and Portugal heavy odds-on favorites to progress while Sweden starts as even-money favorites in their tie with the Czech Republic. Only Wales start as narrow outsiders at home.

If you’re new to betting on this sport, have a read of our soccer betting guide, to help give you a helping hand.

Italy vs North Macedonia Prediction

Despite being the current European champions, Italy missed out on automatic qualification for Qatar after failing to beat Northern Ireland in Belfast on the final day of regular qualifying. They start as massive favorites against North Macedonia but will be without their most creative force, Federico Chiesa, who misses out through injury.

🏆 2022 World Cup play-off draw ✅

Which fixture are you most looking forward to? 🤩#WCQ pic.twitter.com/E6Vg76tbxD

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 26, 2021

The North Macedonians performed heroically to earn the runners-up spot in Group J behind Germany but face a mammoth task in Palermo. They are, however, capable of some big wins, and en route to their second-place recorded a fine 2-1 victory over Germany in Duisburg. The winner of this tie faces either Portugal or Turkey in the playoff final.

Pick: Italy -1.5 (-168)

Portugal vs Turkey Prediction

The Portuguese missed out on an automatic place in the finals when, in dramatic fashion, they lost at home to Serbia in their final qualifying game. They are, however, expected to beat Turkey and, if they make it, will be at home in the final. An extra incentive is that this could well be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup.

🖼 Family portrait. 🇵🇹#VamosComTudo #TeamPortugal pic.twitter.com/Toj2TKmbWP

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 23, 2022

Turkey secured its playoff place thanks to a 2-1 win over Montenegro that saw them pip Norway to the second spot in Group G. Their Achilles heel however has been a leaky defense and it is hard to see them keeping a talented Portuguese attack at bay.

Pick: Portugal to Win (-265)

Sweden vs Czech Republic Prediction

Sweden missed out on automatic qualification after losing their final two qualifying games. As a result, Spain claimed the automatic spot at their expense. Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will again be the attacking focal point for the Swedes but he now has some youthful support in the form of Manchester United rising youngster Anthony Elanga.

Herrlandslaget gör sig redo ✅

På torsdag spikar de igen! 🙌🇸🇪

🇸🇪🆚🇨🇿 – torsdag 20.45 pic.twitter.com/In0ugAmHEg

— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) March 23, 2022

The Czechs have a superstar of their own and rely heavily on Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick, however, he has withdrawn from the club for this match with a calf injury. The Czechs finished third in Group E behind Belgium and Wales. The Swedes start as favorites but this will be close, with the winners playing Poland away in the final.

Pick: Sweden and the Czech Republic to draw after 90 minutes (+230)

Wales vs Austria Prediction

Wales’ reliance on Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey is well-known but both are struggling for fitness ahead of this huge tie in Cardiff. The Welsh will also be without first-choice keeper Danny Ward but will be hoping home advantage will tilt the balance in their favor.

😁#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/M74neZCKhu

— Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) March 23, 2022

Austria finished a disappointing fourth in Group F but booked their place in this playoff via finishing top of their group in the Nations League. As ever, they will lean heavily on David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic to provide their spark but are a better side than many give them credit for. This will be very close with winners eventually meeting the winner of the Scotland/Ukraine tie

Pick: Wales and Austria to draw after 90 minutes (+195)