Eight European national teams and the final step towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On Monday, 31 March, we will find out all the UEFA representatives for the biggest football event of the four-year cycle. Italy is the main headliner of the evening, but fans can expect plenty of exciting action in the other matches as well. The TipsGG analysts team has prepared their predictions for all the playoff final matches for you.
Kosovo vs Turkey
The victory over Slovakia proved to be not only an important step on the road to the World Cup, but also demonstrated significant progress in the attacking play of the Kosovo national team. The Dardanians have not lost in six matches now, and the confidence with which they play against strong opponents makes them an extremely awkward rival. At the same time, certain defensive problems remain, but Kosovo’s attack is ready to take risks, which makes the match potentially more open.
Turkey, on the contrary, did not make a bright impression, but secured a minimal victory over Romania, showing reliability in defence, although they looked modest in attack. The possible absence of Çalhanoğlu could further reduce their creativity.
Bet on the match: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (odds 2.2)
The Turkish national team’s away form inspires confidence: the team consistently picks up points away from home and knows how to play pragmatically.
Czech Republic vs Denmark
In the match against Ireland, the Czech Republic national team created real emotional rollercoasters for the fans at Fortuna Arena in Prague. After conceding two quick goals, the “red and whites” still found the strength to respond before halftime: the team’s main hope, Patrik Schick, converted a penalty and reduced the deficit. The second half became a test of nerves: the Irish were even closer to a third goal in terms of chances, but a corner kick in the 86th minute proved decisive – Wolverhampton defender Ladislav Krejčí won the aerial duel and diverted the ball into the net. With the support of the home crowd, the “lions” did not give the match away and ultimately proved colder-blooded in the penalty shootout.
For the Denmark national team, reaching the playoff final turned out to be much easier (4:0). In the match against North Macedonia in Copenhagen, the “Dynamite” began laying siege to the penalty area from the first minutes. The Macedonians held the line selflessly until halftime, but already in the 4th minute of the second half their defence cracked. Four unanswered goals and an eloquent shot statistics of 20 to 3 in favour of the Danes demonstrated the difference in class between the opponents.
Bet on the match: Over 2 goals (odds 1.66)
Both teams love attacking football and are not used to “drying” the game. The hosts will try to take advantage of their own stadium, while the guests have higher-quality performers. In my opinion, there will be more than 2 goals in this match.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy
Bosnia and Herzegovina were not favourites in the away match against Wales, but they played on equal terms with their opponent and managed to beat them in the penalty shootout. This is a major success that followed their confident passage through the group stage. However, the most important match against Italy awaits them next, which will take place at their home stadium with passionate fan support. Italy is a very uncomfortable opponent for the Balkan side, and from their head-to-head history one can only recall a victory almost 30 years ago.
Italy were under great pressure before the game against Northern Ireland, but they coped with the burden, winning 2:0. The tension has eased somewhat ahead of the decisive match: all the players have physically recovered, the national team has been showing itself well in attack over the distance, and under Gennaro Gattuso the level of aggression has definitely increased.
Bet on the match: Total fouls over 24.5 (odds 1.92) Alternative bet: Italy to qualify and over 1.5 goals in regular time (odds 1.62)
I assume that for Italy the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina will be both more difficult and simpler than against the awkward Northern Ireland side, but they will come out of it with a victory. We’ll go into this match with two bets: one on statistics and the other on Italy’s progression.
Sweden vs Poland
In the match of the “yellow-blue” teams, Sweden punished Ukraine for unacceptable defensive mistakes (3:1). Graham Potter’s plan worked perfectly: by giving the initiative to the opponent, Tre Kronor did not allow a single truly dangerous moment near their own goal, patiently waiting for their chance. Viktor Gyökeres showed why just a year ago he was one of the main newsmakers in world football, scoring a hat-trick and winning almost all his 1v1 duels.
The Poland national team managed to snatch a victory in a tense match against the Albanians (2:1). It was a game of errors in which those who made fewer mistakes came out on top. After an even first half, in which the Albanians punished Jan Bednarek for a giveaway, the “Eagles” mounted a comeback in the second half. First, Robert Lewandowski took advantage of the goalkeeper’s poor play off his line, and the final touch was provided by an outstanding long-range strike from Piotr Zieliński.
Bet on the match: Over 2 goals (odds 1.7)
The individual skill of the attacking players in both national teams currently significantly outweighs the defensive qualities and mental resilience of the defenders. I believe that, despite the high price of a mistake, we will see at least 2 goals scored in this match.