5 International Matches To Bet On This Week

With club football on hold for the next two weeks, the international stage is where we turn our attention as the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers continue this week. Here, we will take a look at the 5 matches to punt on this week.

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Egypt v Libya

Egypt welcome Libya in what is expected to be a pulsating encounter. The home side will have Carlos Quieroz sitting on the bench for the first time as national team coach since his appointment last month. The Portuguese tactician replaced Hossam Al Badri who was sacked following a 1-1 draw away to Gabon in September. Quieroz, who recently coached Iran will bank on home ground advantage to hit the ground running in his first attempt.

But that won’t be easy as he faces an in-form Libya side that has won their first two matches. Despite the good start Libya has had, Egypt possesses more quality compared to Angola and Gabon who Libya managed to beat.

Prediction

With a new coach in Carlos Quieroz, the players are expected to try to impress, so the home side will be desperate to win this match. It might be a tight scoreline but 2-1 will be a fair result for the home side.

Turkey v Norway

The high-flying Norway side travels to Turkey with one thing in mind, revenge at all cost. Earlier this year, Norway suffered a 3-0 loss to the same opponents in a match played in Spain due to the Coronavirus. Stale Solbakken’s troops will have to fight for a victory without their talisman, Erling Halland, who is recovering from the injury. 

Turkey will have to forget the 6-1 hammering they suffered against Group G leaders, the Netherlands last month in Amsterdam. Despite that result, Turkey is still much in the hunt as they are two points adrift of the top two nations in the group. A win at home will guarantee them the top spot in the group. 

Prediction

Norway looks like a well-oiled machine as they aim to reach their first World Cup since 1998. But on the other hand – Turkey is hungry as they haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 2002 where they finished third in South Korea. Expect a goal-scoring affair here as both teams look to avoid defeat.

Venezuela v Brazil

Brazil is enjoying a bright start in their World Cup qualifying campaign. They have won eight consecutive matches and sitting comfortably in first place with 24 points. On Saturday, they face a struggling Venezuela side away from home. Venezuela, who have four points after nine matches – should not book a ticket to Qatar next year. With Brazil in goalscoring form, they will make it hard for Venezuela to stop them from scoring. A total of 19 goals has been scored by Tite’s side so far and they’ve conceded just two goals. 

Prediction

Venezuela has conceded 15 goals in 9 matches, this shows their defence is leaking goals. The best bet you can take is Brazil to win the encounter plus scoring over 2.5 goals. 

Paraguay v Argentina

With one win in five matches, Paraguay is desperate to turn their World Cup qualifying campaign around to boost their chances of booking a ticket to Qatar next year. They host Argentina who is in scintillating form with five straight victories. For the home side, they have been haunted by too many draws as five of their nine matches ended in draws. 

In their first-round clash, Argentina managed to register a 1-0 victory over their opponents. With both teams separated by seven points, Paraguay will be confident that their quest to reach Asia is still a possibility. 

Prediction

In the last five matches between the two sides, only six goals have been scored. Three of those matches ended in a stalemate with both nations sharing one victory apiece. I would bet on a draw as Paraguay will be tough to beat or under 2.5 goals. 

Ghana v Zimbabwe

Ghana will begin life under Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac who will be in his second stint as the Black Stars’ coach. Rajevac, who led Ghana to the Quarterfinals in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will want to guide the nation to the World Cup in Qatar. Ghana is currently occupying the second spot in their group with three points in two matches. In their last game, they suffered a 1-0 loss to South Africa. 

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is yet to register a victory in their first two matches sitting bottom in the group with one point. They face a strong Ghana side who are looking to get back to winning ways.

Prediction

Ghana will be looking to regroup and steamroll through Zimbabwe following their loss to South Africa. So expect them to win in both halves as they are expected to attack from the start. Ghana to win in both halves plus over 1.5 goals