The Republic of Ireland closed out 2025 with three wins, which saw them score six goals from an xG of 6.2. That improved record in the final third should help them in this playoff, but their defensive record is questionable. The Irish have conceded in 15 of their last 19 games, including all four competitive away trips in 2025.

Poland have won five of their last six games at home and have kept a clean sheet in four of those victories. They have won to nil in four of their last five home meetings with Albania, while four of the visitors’ last five defeats have been to nil.

Wales have won five of their last six competitive home fixtures and can make the most of the advantage of playing in Cardiff on Thursday. Bosnia have lost six of their last 12 away games, and rode their luck in a 1-1 draw in Austria in their last trip, but they should find the net after scoring in 11 successive games.

Slovakia are unbeaten in eight home games and have won four of their last five in front of their own fans, keeping a clean sheet in each of these five games. Kosovo have lost two of their last five away fixtures.

Only France managed to beat Ukraine during the group stages of World Cup 2026 qualification and they picked up 10 points from their other four games. Ukraine have won four of their last six fixtures as the designated home team and can grind out a win inside 90 mins against out-of-form Sweden, who lost four of their six qualifiers.

The Republic of Ireland won 3-2 in Hungary in a game which was essentially a playoff for second place, and that impressive win stands them in good stead for this trip to Prague. The Czechs progressed ahead of Gibraltar, Montenegro, and the Faroe Islands, while the Irish came through must-win clashes against both the Hungarians and Portugal in November’s break.

Northern Ireland have not beaten Italy since 1958 and have failed to score in each of the six meetings since then. Gli Azzurri have won four of their last seven games without conceding, while each of Northern Ireland’s last two defeats have seen them fail to find the net.

America de Cali have won four of their six home games this season but have conceded in their last two at home. Llaneros have lost their last two away games, but they have scored in four of their five trips this term.

Both of these teams have seen over 2.5 goals land in five of their last six games and a repeat of that looks likely, especially considering Turkey’s attacking talents and Romania’s injury issues. Side with Turkey to win and over 2.5 goals to land too.

Poland have won five of their last six games at home and have kept a clean sheet in four of those victories. They have won to nil in four of their last five home meetings with Albania, while four of the visitors’ last five defeats have been to nil.

Wales have won five of their last six competitive home fixtures and can make the most of the advantage of playing in Cardiff on Thursday. Bosnia have lost six of their last 12 away games, and rode their luck in a 1-1 draw in Austria in their last trip.

Slovakia are unbeaten in eight home games and have won four of their last five in front of their own fans, keeping a clean sheet in each of these five games. Kosovo have lost two of their last five away fixtures.

Only France managed to beat Ukraine during the group stages of World Cup 2026 qualification and they picked up 10 points from their other four games. Ukraine have won four of their last six fixtures as the designated home team and can grind out a win inside 90 mins against out-of-form Sweden, who lost four of their six qualifiers.

Albania have conceded exactly twice in each of their last four defeats, three of which ended 2-0, while Poland have won by a 2-0 scoreline in two of their last five at home.

Northern Ireland have lost two of their last three games by a 1-0 scoreline and face an Italy side that have won to nil in four of their last seven. Gli Azzurri haven’t conceded a goal in six meetings with Norn Iron, but have only scored five times in their last four encounters.

North Macedonia were humiliated 7-1 away at Wales in their last World Cup qualifier in November and that came on the back of draws with Belgium, Kazakhstan and Latvia. Denmark can make home advantage count and they should be able to win without conceding as their opponents lack firepower.

Poland have won five of their last six games at home and have kept a clean sheet in four of those victories. They have won to nil in four of their last five home meetings with Albania, while four of the visitors’ last five defeats have been to nil.

Northern Ireland have not beaten Italy since 1958 and have failed to score in each of the six meetings since then. Gli Azzurri have won four of their last seven games without conceding, while each of Northern Ireland’s last two defeats have seen them fail to find the net.

The Republic of Ireland won 3-2 in Hungary in a game which was essentially a playoff for second place, and that impressive win stands them in good stead for this trip to Prague. The Czechs progressed ahead of Gibraltar, Montenegro, and the Faroe Islands, while the Irish came through must-win clashes against both the Hungarians and Portugal in November’s break.

Only France managed to beat Ukraine during the group stages of World Cup 2026 qualification and they picked up 10 points from their other four games. Ukraine have won four of their last six fixtures as the designated home team and can grind out a win inside 90 mins against out-of-form Sweden, who lost four of their six qualifiers.

The Republic of Ireland closed out 2025 with three wins, which saw them score six goals from an xG of 6.2. That improved record in the final third should help them in this playoff, but their defensive record is questionable. The Irish have conceded in 15 of their last 19 games, including all four competitive away trips in 2025.

Wales have won five of their last six competitive home fixtures and can make the most of the advantage of playing in Cardiff on Thursday. Bosnia have lost six of their last 12 away games, but they have found the net in 11 successive games and Wales’ only clean sheets in their last 11 attempts came against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein.

Only France managed to beat Ukraine during the group stages of World Cup 2026 qualification and they picked up 10 points from their other four games. Ukraine have won four of their last six fixtures as the designated home team and can grind out a win inside 90 mins against out-of-form Sweden, who lost four of their six qualifiers. The Swedes have scored in both games since Graham Potter took charge though, so they can find a consolation.

Wales have won five of their last six competitive home fixtures and can make the most of the advantage of playing in Cardiff on Thursday. Bosnia have lost six of their last 12 away games, and rode their luck in a 1-1 draw in Austria in their last trip, but they should find the net after scoring in 11 successive games.

Ukraine’s Spain-based striker Vladyslav Vanat made five appearances without scoring in the group stages but he could end his wait for a qualification strike against the Swedes. The 24-year-old has nine goals in 26 games for Girona in La Liga and comes into the play-offs in solid form with two goals and an assist across his last six games for his club.

Nathan Broadhead came off the bench and scored in the win over North Macedonian and his club form could see him handed a start on Thursday. Broadhead has two goals in his last three games for Championship promotion hopefuls Wrexham.

Parrott has 29 goals for club and country this season, five of which came across his two appearances for the Republic of Ireland in November’s international break. The striker has scored four goals his has last three games for AZ Alkmaar, and he can continue that good form in this key game.

Oldham are one of the form sides in League Two and can put a dent in Notts County’s promotion prospects on Tuesday. They have won seven of their last nine games and each of their last four at home, while The Magpies have only won one of their last four games against sides in the top 11.

Just four points separate these two sides but Yeovil have struggled on the road of late and look set for another defeat at Grosvenor Vale. They have lost their last four National League away days and come up against a Wealdstone side with three wins from their last four at home, with The Stones netting 12 goials in this sequence.

Rochdale lead the way in the National League, but they may have to net a few goals to take three points off the free-scoring Scunthorpe. Over 2.5 goals has landed in each of the hosts’ last eight games and Rochdale’s last three outings have featured a massive 14 goals in total.

Republic of Ireland have won their last three games against Hungary, Portugal and Armenia, and that should give them the confidence necessary to push favourites Czechia all the way in Prague. They have only lost one of their last five meetings with Czechia and Thursday’s hosts have failed to beat Faroe Islands, Croatia, and Saudi Arabia in their last five assignments.

League leaders Inverness CT have the best defensive record in Scottish League One, but that may come under threat against Queen of the South, who haven’t failed to score on the road since January. Both teams have scored in their last four away games and there have been goals at both ends in six of Inverness CT’s last seven fixtures.

Germany are odds-on favourites to beat Switzerland on Friday, but the Rossocrociati have not lost a game in over a year and have a solid record against Die Nationalelf. They are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Germany and Friday’s visitors have only won four of their last nine on the road.

A dreadful run of results has sent Exeter plummeting towards the League One relegation zone, and their misery may be compounded by an in-form Leyton Orient on Saturday. The Grecians have not won a game since January and their 2-0 loss to Wigan at the weekend made it five defeats on the spin, while Orient picked up a fourth successive victory against Wycombe on Saturday.

Reading have not lost a home game since December, but they have been leaky at the back over the past couple of months and look unlikely to keep a Wigan side fighting for survival at bay. The Royals have conceded ten goals in their last five games at the Madejski Stadium, while both teams have found the net in Wigan’s last three away games.

Top meets bottom in League Two on Saturday and leaders Bromley should take another step towards the fourth-tier title against a Barrow side winless in eight. The Bluebirds have taken only one point from the last 12 available at Holker Street, and they are unlikely to add to that tally against a visiting side unbeaten on the road since November.

Five wins from seven games has lifted Bristol Rovers well clear of the League Two relegation battle and they look primed for another win over a declining Accrington Stanley. The visitors are winless in seven fixtures and could only manage a draw with rock-bottom Barrow in their most recent away day.