World Cup Qualification Matchday Forecast – Matchdays 7 & 8
All predictions for Matchdays 7 & 8 of the 2025 World Cup Qualifiers: From Germany vs. Northern Ireland to Poland vs. the Netherlands. Current form, statistics, and betting tips at a glance.
approx. 3 min.
World Cup Qualification Matchday Forecast – Matchdays 7 & 8
The landscape of the World Cup qualifiers is starting to take shape. Over in Group A, Germany is desperate to shake off a rocky start and reclaim their momentum. Group B is currently a one-horse race, with Switzerland dominating and looking for another flawless victory. Meanwhile, Denmark and Scotland are locked in a battle for the top of Group C, and France continues to look untouchable in Group D. Spain has been perfect in Group E, while Portugal is maintaining a commanding grip on Group F.
Most groups are following the expected script, though Italy is the one team that needs to wake up; the Azzurri are currently lagging behind Norway in Group I and are already feeling the heat.
Quick Betting Picks: World Cup Qualifiers Matchday 7
Scotland vs Greece
Group C is still a wide-open race. Scotland and Greece are breathing down Denmark's neck, and since every single point is crucial for a ticket to the World Cup, we expect a high-tension, tightly contested encounter.
It's a showdown between the leaders. Croatia currently holds the top spot in Group L, but the Czech Republic is right there with them on points and smells blood. This game could either solidify the leader's position or completely flip the group standings.
Germany is under pressure to make up for a poor beginning to the campaign. A win against Luxembourg is seen as an absolute necessity if they want to climb back up the table. For Luxembourg, the stakes are just as high—they've yet to earn a single point and are desperate to avoid a total collapse.
In Group B, Sweden is far from happy with just one point from their first two outings. They're heading into the match against Switzerland with a clear goal: hand the leaders their first defeat. While the Swiss defense hasn't let in a single goal yet, the Swedish attackers are eager to break that streak.
Norway is currently flying high in Group I with a perfect record of five wins in five games. As they prepare to face Israel, the focus will be on maintaining this momentum and putting an even bigger gap between themselves and the rest of the pack.
Turkey is looking for redemption after a bruising loss to the European champions, Spain. They'll be aiming for a dominant win over Bulgaria to close the points gap in Group E. Bulgaria, meanwhile, is struggling significantly, still hunting for their first goal and first point of the qualifiers.
It's a classic 'top vs. bottom' scenario as Portugal takes on Ireland. On paper, the result seems predictable, but the Irish are known for their grit and should never be dismissed. The big question is whether Portugal can keep their winning streak alive.
After a tense and goalless first encounter, the rematch is where the real drama happens. There is a lot on the line here: Albania is fighting to protect their second-place spot, while Serbia is hungry to leapfrog them in the standings.
Quick Betting Picks: World Cup Qualifiers Matchday 8
Netherlands vs. Finland
The Netherlands are still the team to beat and remain unbeaten at the top. Finland has their sights set on second place, but to get there, they first have to survive a tough test against Poland.
Germany may have taken the first round, but the return leg takes place in Northern Ireland, where the home crowd will be fueling a determined effort to avenge that loss.
Switzerland knows that any slip-up against Slovenia could jeopardize their lead, so they'll be playing it safe and professional. Slovenia, however, sees this as a must-win game to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
France is gliding through the qualifiers with ease and looks to further prove they are in a league of their own. The big question is whether Iceland has the tools to actually threaten them.
Turkey is fighting for survival and needs points to stay in the play-off conversation. With Georgia also desperate for a result, this Group E encounter could easily feel like a winner-takes-all final.
Italy simply cannot afford another World Cup absence. The Squadra Azzurra will be throwing everything they have at Israel in an attempt to secure a decisive three points and get their campaign back on track.