WC Qualifiers: Any Big Upsets?
The big leagues take a break after an eventful couple of weeks, and it’s time to shift the focus to the WC qualifiers. We’ve taken a closer look at some of the upcoming matches this next week!
Netherlands – Poland
Thursday @ 20:45 CEST
Netherlands
The Netherlands can go to the top of their group with a win against Poland this evening, and they’re certainly favourites in tonight’s fixture. They beat Finland 2-0 away in their opener before beating Malta 8-0 at home, and they’ll be looking to get 3 wins from 3 games when they face Poland.
Liverpool’s new signing Frimpong is out of this one due to a hamstring, but other that than there aren’t too many injury worries for Koeman and the Netherlands. Depay is expected to start, and could overtake Robin van Persie’s record of 50 international goals tonight, a record they share going into this match.
Spurs’ new signing Simons is also expected to start together with Depay and Gakpo, with Pep’s new signing Reijnders controlling the midfield together with De Jong and Gravenberch. Van Dijk is expected to lead the defensive line together with Van Hecke, Van de Ven and Dumfries helping out in front of Verbruggen.
The hosts will be big favourites tonight, and they’re looking very dangerous going forward, while having the defensive smartness to keep it tight at the back. Could they be a dark horse next summer?
Netherlands to win: 1.29
Netherlands up at HT: 1.72
Poland
Poland lost away to Finland this summer, and they’re now 3rd in the group heading into this week’s qualifiers. They’ve beaten Malta and Lithuania, but the loss to Finland could cause problems for them later on in these qualifiers. Grabbing a point in the Netherlands would be huge for new manager Jan Urban, who took over after the loss to Finland. His appointment also opened the door for Lewandowski’s return to the national team after his absence during the end of their last manager’s tenure.
Lewandowski will be a key player if Poland are to grab a result away against Netherlands, with Piatek also a potential match winner. Skorupski should lead the line between the sticks, with Bednarek and Kiwior important players in defense. Zalewski, Szymanski, Cash and Zielinski should also start this match, and they’ll have to be at their very best if they are to cause an upset against Koeman’s team.
Poland to win: 10.50
Poland up at HT: 7.90
Denmark – Scotland
Friday @ 20:45
Denmark
Group C kicks off this week, and Denmark will be hoping to grab a win at home against a Scotland team that have been making progress lately. For Denmark, Christensen should be back in action in their defense, which is a great boost for them, with Schmeichel putting on his keeper gloves as usual. Dorgu and Kristensen are expected to start, with Hojberg and Hjulmand a very strong central midfield duo.
Can Hojlund grab the goals that so often eluded him in Manchester? The new Napoli striker is hoping to find the back of the net against his new Napoli teammate McTominay’s Scotland Friday evening, and Dolberg and Dreyer will probably be around to help him.
Denmark are favourites in this one, but Scotland should definitely not be underestimated here.
Denmark to win: 1.58
Denmark up at HT: 2.12
Scotland
Scotland will be hoping Che Adams is still hungry for goals after his 3 goals against Liechtenstein last time out, while much is expected from Scott McTominay, who was player of the season in Italy last year. Robertson is the star player defensively, with Gilmour, Christie and McLean expected to take charge in midfield together with McTominay and McGinn.
A trip to Denmark in the first game is a tough opening match for any team, but Scotland is a team that never give up, so this feels like a match that could go either way.
Scotland to win: 6.40
Sctoland up at HT: 5.90
Türkiye – Spain
Sunday @ 20:45 CEST
Türkiye
Türkiye will play their first match of these qualifiers on Thursday against Georgia, but this one against Spain looks even more interesting. The hosts haven’t beaten Spain since 1967, and they’re definitely underdogs in this fixture as well.
Incredibly, Türkiye have only played in the WC twice, in 1954 and 2002, though they did get to the semi-finals in the latter tournament.
Kenan Yildiz of Juventus will be an important player for Montella’s Türkiye, as will Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Hakan Calhanoglu. Defensively, there are more question marks surrounding this team, however, and you’d expect Spain to find spaces and openings to grab a goal or three here, if they find their flow.
Türkiye to win: 4.95
Türkiye up at HT: 4.95
Spain
Spain are clear favourites in this one, despite Türkiye traditionally being a tough place to play. The quality in the Spanish squad is simply incredible, with the return of Rodri a big win for the squad as well.
Simon is expected to start in goal, with Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte and Grimaldo a possible defensive line. A midfield consisting of Rodri, Pedri and Gavi is certainly amongst the strongest ones in world football, and Yamal, Nico Williams and Morata could form the attacking trio in Istanbul this weekend.
We think Spain will win this one, but you never quite know when Türkiye will switch on all their levers and go for it!
Spain to win: 1.65
Spain up at HT: 2.12
Enjoy the international football break!
Odds might have changed since the writing and/or publication of this article.
Last Updated: 04.09.2025
