UEFA World Cup Qualifying Odds & Picks – Matchday 7 (Oct 9)

• There are 14 European zone qualifying games starting at 9:00 am ET on Saturday
• Ukraine has run up five draws but could win in Finland while England will go for goals in tiny Andorra
• See the odds and best bets for UEFA World Cup Qualifying on October 9 below

Europe’s World Cup campaign is heading into its critical phase during the current international break.

See our previews, picks and predictions for three of Saturday’s major ties here.

UEFA World Cup Odds Matchday 7

Odds as of October 8 at DraftKings

Finland vs Ukraine Prediction

Ukraine has drawn all five of its games in Group D so far.

Therefore, given the fact that all statistical runs come to an end sometime, they could pull off a significant win in Finland at 4:00 pm ET.

The Ukrainians are in second place with five points behind leaders France.

Meanwhile, Finland is third, having played only four fixtures – also with five points but with a goal difference of minus one compared to Ukraine’s zero figure.

There was a 1-1 draw between these teams when they met in Kiev last March.

However, it took an 89th-minute penalty from Finnish hot-shot Teemu Pukki to rescue a point after the home side led through an 80th-minute strike from Junior Moraes.

A 30 metre Finland shirt was placed in Helsinki today ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday #huuhkajat #finukr https://t.co/i6cYvsT04A pic.twitter.com/RMgLTwoRXx

— Finnish Football Show 🇫🇮⚽️ (@FinnishFtblShow) October 6, 2021

These two sides have recorded only one win in the nine fixtures they have played between them in the group – the Finns defeating Kazakhstan 1-0 last September.

But the most significant results so far have been Ukraine’s two 1-1 draws at home and away against World Cup holders and runaway group leaders France.

Ukraine was a quarterfinalist at Euro 2020 last summer.

This has given them confidence that they can claim second spot – and a playoff place.

So the opportunity is arriving to strike a major blow against their nearest rivals in Helsinki this weekend.

Furthermore, Ukraine was a quarterfinalist at Euro 2020 last summer.

HIGH SPIRITS IN CAMP 🇺🇦

Ukraine’s players took part in evening training today with smiles across the board, Petrakov included!

Prep continues for the HUGE tie v Finland on Saturday!

Ukraine fly out to Helsinki tomorrow afternoon with final formalities to take place in 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/mSRsWXjL9S

— Zorya Londonsk (@ZoryaLondonsk) October 6, 2021

And it believes it is a growing force, although two World Cup draws against Kazakhstan have been disappointing.

The Finns, moreover, have scored just five times in their last 10 internationals. Meanwhile, Ukraine has led in four of those five qualification draws.

So, in conclusion, this looks like an opportunity for Ukraine to make more of its abilities and claim a vital victory.

Pick: Ukraine: +130

Switzerland vs Northern Ireland Prediction

Northern Ireland held the Swiss to a 0-0 draw in Belfast last September.

Unbeaten in its last three games since a Matchday 1 defeat by Italy, the Irish side could subsequently claim another point in Geneva.

This, certainly, is a critical fixture at 2:45 pm ET with the Swiss in second place with eight points and Northern Ireland in third – three points behind.

Certainly, too, the DraftKings odds on a tie are attractive at + 400.

Therefore, it is important for Ian Barraclough’s Irish team to at least avoid defeat against the Euro 2020 quarterfinalists.

However, Switzerland has played two games fewer than the leaders Italy. So it will obviously see a big chance to reduce the eight-point gap here.

There has been just one goal in the last four meetings between these sides.

It was an especially tense affair in Belfast last month with the home goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell saving a Swiss penalty.

Furthermore, there has been just one goal in the last four meetings between these sides.

Switzerland ace Xherdan Shaqiri believes if they had scored one goal against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park then they would have won comfortably, and he's urged his team-mates not to be wasteful in Geneva tomorrow 👇
✍️ @GrahamLuneyhttps://t.co/idsZkKoc33

— Belfast Telegraph Sport (@BelTel_Sport) October 8, 2021

There were three goalless draws with Switzerland winning 1-0 in a 2017 qualifier for the last World Cup.

The Swiss won their opening two games against Bulgaria and Lithuania.

However, the team has recorded two straight goalless draws against Italy and then Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough has been forced to make a number of changes to his squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Switzerland and Bulgaria.

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) October 4, 2021

Barraclough’s team has been hit by a series of five injury withdrawals including that of experienced defender Jonny Evans. Therefore, the coach may see settling for a point as a decent outcome.

To sum up, Northern Ireland has made major improvements since a rocky start under Barraclough and the team is stubborn enough to get a point.

Pick: Draw +400

Andorra vs England Prediction

Euro 2020 finalist England has hit 20 goals without reply in its five previous meetings with the tiny principality of Andorra.

This, therefore, is simply a question of – how many?

However, England coach Gareth Southgate is unlikely to deploy his full-strength side at 2:45 pm ET.

That was the case when England won 4-0 at Wembley against these limited opponents in September.

So that makes the DraftKings prop offer of a repeat scoreline on Andorra of 4-0 an attractive one at +450.

Remarkably, a fire broke out at the stadium after England’s training session on Friday although the game will go ahead.

Fire breaks out at Andorra’s stadium where England are due to play tomorrow pic.twitter.com/PvVFpirt58

— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) October 8, 2021

In spite of a 1-1 draw in Poland last time out, England is in a commanding position in the group with 16 points from five wins and a draw.

Andorra, meanwhile, is in fifth place after a 2-0 win over bottom nation San Marino and five defeats.

So, to sum up, England plans to hit back strongly after the Polish draw with a qualification insight and will run up a high-scoring win.

Pick: England to win 4-0 (+450)