Who out of the home nations will join England in Russia for the 2018 World Cup?

Friday is going to be incredibly tense for Wales and the Republic of Ireland, both of whom are trying to escape Group D. With Serbia in 1st place on 18 points, the Welsh and the Irish, who are on 14 and 13 points respectively, are likely scrabbling over a place in the play-offs. In fact, who gets through to the next round could come down to Monday’s match between the 2 in Cardiff. And even then it might not be enough – Wales are currently ranked bottom of the 2nd-placed teams, trailing Bosnia & Herzegovina on goal difference.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For it to go down to the wire both sides really need to win this evening. Wales are up first, with a Gareth Bale-less trip to Georgia at 5pm on Sky Sports Football. The Welsh are yet to actually lose a qualifier; however, their form has been a world away what they produced in the Euros, with 5 draws and just 3 wins.



For example, when Georgia travelled to Cardiff this time last year, Wales could only manage a 1-1 draw, with their opener scored, predictably, by Bale. Chris Coleman’s men should have the fire required to pick up a vital victory this time round, however, with Spreadex offering a Wales/Georgia (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.5-0.7 alongside a Total goals spread of 2.1-2.3.

As for Ireland, they host Moldova at 7.45pm on Sky Sports Football. The Irish campaign was dealt a significant blow in September, with a dreary draw against Georgia and a narrow loss to Serbia allowing Wales to leapfrog them into 2nd place. All is not lost, however; if they can secure a win against Moldova – who they beat 3-1 in Chisinau last year – then they could still nab a place in the play-offs.



Moldova themselves are, like Georgia, already out of the competition, and are likely to finish bottom of the group having picked up just 2 points. In theory, then, Martin O’Neill’s lot shouldn’t have anything to worry about, with Spreadex offering a robust Republic of Ireland/Moldova Goal Supremacy spread of 2.2-2.4 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.9-3.1.

Turning to Sunday and the rest of the home nations play their final qualifiers. While England don’t need anything from Lithuania – who they visit at 5pm on ITV – Gareth Southgate could really do with a barnstormer to wash away the taste of a superficially successful, but actually pretty dreadful, campaign.



It took a 94th minute strike from Harry Kane to get the job done against Slovenia, the latest in a string of exasperating performances that suggests the country haven’t really progressed in any meaningful way since last summer’s Iceland shock. Still, they went through qualifying without losing a game – again – and should maintain that record this weekend, with Spreadex offering an England/Lithuania (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 1.35-1.55 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.7-2.9.

Scotland’s Sunday fixture is far more important – a win against Slovenia (at 6pm on Sky Sports Football) would secure Group F’s runner-up slot, and likely with it a place in the play-offs. Like England, the Scots left it late to pick up the win on Thursday, with an 89th minute own goal from Martin Skrtel gifting Gordon Strachan and co. a crucial 3 points.



Despite losing to the English, Slovenia could still make it to the play-offs if they beat Scotland – though that would require Slovakia failing to beat Malta, a team who have conceded 22 goals in 9 games. As for Sunday’s winner, it’s just too close to call, with Spreadex offering a choice Slovenia/Scotland Goal Supremacy spread of -0.1-0.1 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.

Finally, Northern Ireland will aim to climb up the 2nd-place seedings with a victory in Norway at 7.45pm on Sky Sports Football. While they mitigated some of the damage with a 93rd minute goal from Josh Magennis, Michael O’Neill can’t be too happy with Northern Ireland’s 3-1 home loss to Germany on Thursday.



Still, they are guaranteed to finish Group C runners-up, and likely only need a point from the Norwegians to secure one of the 8 play-off places. Last time the sides met O’Neill’s lads came away with a 2-0 win; this time, however, the hosts are the favourites, at a Norway/Northern Ireland Goal Supremacy spread of 0.1-0.3 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.15-2.35.