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World Cup European Qualifying Odds & Picks – March 25

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Mar 24, 2021 · 7:11 AM PDT

World Cup
Poland's forward Robert Lewandowski reacts after scoring a goal during a UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Wroclaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
  • Thirteen ties on Thursday as Europe’s  groups hit second day ahead of Qatar finals in 2022
  • Lewandoski the threat for Poland against Hungary while Spain could score big against Greece
  • See the odds and best bets for European World Cup Qualifying on Thursday, March 25 below

Europe has joined the World Cup fray this week with qualification beginning this week for the finals in Qatar next year.

See our odds, picks and selected previews for the matches being played on Thursday.

World Cup European Qualifying Odds March 25

Matchup Home Draw Away
Israel vs Denmark +400 +255 -139
Bulgaria vs Switzerland +700 +300 -255
Spain vs Greece -715 +650 +1800
Germany vs Iceland -835 +750 +180
Italy vs Northern Ireland -715 +575 +2200
Sweden vs Georgia -420 +460 +1150
Hungary vs Poland +280 +210 +108
Romania vs North Macedonia -120 +225 +360
Scotland vs Austria +225 +240 +116
Andorra vs Albania +1200 +420 -385
Liechstenstein vs Armenia +950 +400 -335
Moldova vs Faroe Islands +150 +195 +205
England vs San Marino N/A +2900 +7000

All odds taken Mar 24 at DraftKings

Hungary vs Poland Prediction

Hungary plays host to Poland on Thursday in what could mark the beginning of a battle to finish in second place in Group I behind favorites England.

It is the Hungarians who are the form team after winning two of their last three matches and remaining unbeaten in the last six.

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Meanwhile, Poland was beaten in its last two outings although they were against the powerhouse sides of the Netherlands and Italy in the UEFA Nations League.

However, the Poles have won four of their last eight games.

At DraftKings, the oddsmakers rate Poland favorites at +108 with Hungary at +280.

The draw is +210. Kick-off in Budapest is at 3:45 pm ET.

Poland’s status as favorite is due to the continuing extra-ordinary form of their superstar Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski.

Hungary will be without its injured star striker Dominik Szoboszlai of Red Bull Leipzig.

His hat-trick in Bayern’s 4-0 defeat of Stuttgart last Saturday took Lewandowski’s tally for the season in the Bundesliga to 35 goals in 25 appearances.

Conversely, in four international appearances this season, he has scored only once in a 3-0 defeat of Bosnia last October. But he will be a massive threat on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Hungary will be without its injured star striker, Dominik Szoboszlai of Red Bull Leipzig.

Before the 2-1 defeat by the Netherlands and the 2-0 setback against Italy last November, Poland were 2-0 winners in a friendly against Ukraine.

Last time out, Hungary were 2-0 winners at home against Turkey to take a top place finish in Group 3 of League B in the Nations League.

There was a 2-1 win at home for Poland the last time these teams met in November 2011.

With Lewandowski as rampant as ever, another Polish win looks likely.

Pick: Poland +108

Spain vs Greece Prediction

Spain finished 2020 in ruthless form when they hammered Germany 6-0 in Seville last November.

Until then, they had struggled for goals throughout much of the year.

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But they will look to continue in a rampant mood when they meet Greece in the opening fixture of Group B at 3:45pm ET in Granada.

Stubborn Greece has lost only once in their last 11 games but has not met any of Europe’s elite sides during that spell.

There is little value in a straight prediction with Spain massively favored by DraftKings at -715 and Greece at +1800 – with the draw at +650.

At +133, a win by three goals or more for Spain looks attractive (Asian Handicap -2.5) if they can maintain their free-scoring mood.

The last time Greece met a major nation, they lost 2-0 in Italy in October 2019.

Greece drew 0-0 last time out at home against Slovenia in the Nations League.

But the last time they met a major nation, they lost 2-0 in Italy in October 2019.

The last meeting between these teams resulted in a 2-1 win for Spain at the Euro 2008 finals.

But Spain has been re-energized by the crushing defeat of Germany and should be more convincing winners this time around.

Pick: Spain +133 (Asian Handicap -2.5) 

Scotland vs Austria Prediction

Austria will take an impressive current record of five wins and one draw to Scotland in Group F on Thursday.

Coach Steve Clarke has lifted the mood around the Scottish side by qualifying for the finals of Euro 2020 being held this summer – but they have lost their most recent two games.

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The Austrians are favored by the oddsmakers at DraftKings at +116 with kick-off in Glasgow at 3:45pm ET.

Meanwhile, Scotland is priced at +225 with the draw the best offer here at an inviting +240.

Austria’s six-game unbeaten streak includes wins against Greece, Romania, Luxembourg and Northern Ireland – twice.

Scotland beat Serbia on penalties last October to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals.

Last time out they drew 1-1 draw at home against Norway in the Nations League.

But they will be missing the experience of Salzburg midfielder Julian Baumgartliner in Glasgow.

Scotland beat Serbia on penalties last October to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals.

However, since then, Scotland has lost 1-0 in Slovakia and then 1-0 in Israel in the Nations League last November.

These nations have not met since May, 2007 when Scotland secured a 1-0 away win.

This time, Scotland’s new optimism and Austria’s good form means a draw is most likely.

Pick: Draw +240

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