Sunday's World Cup Qualifier Tips: Back 6/1 Haaland in Milan & 5/1 Bruno to boost Portugal | OneFootball

World Cup 2026

World Cup qualifier best bets - Betfair expert Paul Higham has his top tips for Sunday's matches

Paul Higham's best bets for Sunday's World Cup qualifiers include 13/2 on another Erling Haaland goal in Milan, Dominik Szoboszlai to shine for Hungary and Ukraine to pip Iceland to a play-off spot...

Hungary v Republic of Ireland

14:00 kick-offLive on Amazon Prime PPV

Ireland's surprise win over Portugal means second place is up for grabs now as they head to Hungary as 10/3 outsiders but just a point behind the hosts. Technically, top spot is up for grabs for both sides if Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal somehow come unstuck at home against Armenia.

That's more the case for 17/20 home favourites Hungary who only need a draw, priced at 12/5, to claim second but if news comes through of a stalemate in Lisbon would then realise a win by a few goals could book their first World Cup appearance since 1986 - so this has potential to be a nervy ending.

Hungary could, and perhaps should, just plan to keep things tight as Ireland need to force the issue, but I'm not sure they're built to play that way and with their defensive record I'm happy to back both teams to score - with Dominik Szoboszlai the pick for a goal involvement after a goal and two assists in his last two internationals.

Portugal v Armenia

14:00 kick-offLive on Amazon Prime PPV

That result in Dublin will have shaken Portugal, no doubt, but even without Ronaldo they're 11/6 and still comfortably leagues above visiting Armenia - who've conceded over three goals a game on average in their last five aways and have failed to score in five of eight internationals.

I wouldn't expect Portugal to run all over Armenia, as there'll still be a hint of caution in Roberto Martinez's side, but Bruno Fernandes returns from suspension and he usually steps things up when Ronaldo doesn't play and he can lead his side to a seventh straight World Cup in a reasonably low-scoring victory.

Albania v England

17:00 kick-offLive on STV, ITV 1, UTV & ITVX

Seven wins from seven with seven clean sheets for England - with Thomas Tuchel's side now chasing a national record 11th straight victory, but this will be more about giving fringe players a run out to press their claims for inclusion in his World Cup squad.

So it makes for a tough betting heat, with Albania also assured of their play-off place in second so also not having much to play for, apart from the always treasured scalp of beating the mighty Three Lions - but 7/1 at home shows you just how much depth of quality Tuchel has to pick from.

It's largely a betting minefield but Eberechi Eze is a player who deserves a start after scoring in his last two substitue appearances, along with having seven shots on target in his last three England games.

Ukraine v Iceland

17:00 kick-off

These two are level on points in this second-place shootout, but Iceland only need a draw, priced 13/5, to grab the play-off spot. They're 15/4 underdogs though after six defeats in the past 10 internationals, with Ukraine 8/11 to secure another trip to the play-offs.

Nine of 12 Ukraine games have seen both teams score and eight of 10 Iceland matches have had over 2.5 goals so it's unlikely to end 0-0 (famous last words) especially since the reverse fixture was a 5-3 epic in Iceland. I can see something similar again with Ukraine's extra nous just getting them over the line.

Azerbaijan v France

17:00 kick-offLive on Amazon Prime PPV

Not a great game for betting to be honest, as who knows what side France will put out since they're already home and dry in top spot - Kylian Mbappe has not travelled due to an ankle injury so Hugo Ekitike and Jean Philippe Mateta will split time playing up front you'd imagine.

Didier Deschamps has a plethora of other talent in his squad so he can't really put a bad side out - and any side he fields should be good enough for an away win to nil, which in a game like this looks the safest play.

For those who wants a better price then check the teamsheets and add in a goal for whoever gets the start out of Ekitike or Mateta, which would deliver odds of around 11/10 to 6/4.

Serbia v Latvia

17:00 kick-off

A dead rubber here in England's group but Serbia will have to provide their fans with something - it just depends how much they can raise their games as Latvia will be there for the taking after winning just once in the group and scoring just four goals.

The visitors have put up stubborn resistance in games so there's a touch of doubt about how many Serbia will score, so we'll play safe with a win to nil as six of their past seven victories have come with a clean sheet.

Israel v Moldova

19:45 kick-off

Another dead rubber here with Moldova having more to play for in Belgium as they look for a first World Cup qualifying win in three campaigns - although a price of 6/1 suggests there's slim chance of that even against an Israel side that's just suffered three bad defeats in a row after elimination was confirmed.

We could have anything here - including the possible draw at a big price of 18/5 - but the result is best swerved for me, with a odd-on shout of both teams to score the preference after landing in all seven of Israel's games so far.

Italy v Norway

19:45 kick-offLive on Amazon Prime PPV

Norway have bascially booked their first World Cup since 1998 after a spectacular campaign of goalscoring, which has led to them only needing to avoid defeat by a laughable nine clear goals in Milan to make it official.

It's 33 goals scored and just four conceded for Stale Solbakken's side, including a 3-0 win over Italy which has made all the difference. They're 5/2 to win in the San Siro and cap it all off in style, but the celebrations after the last game told you they know the job is done.

Italy are 1/1 to at least get revenge and end level on points, but keeping out 14-goal Erling Haaland will be an issue even if Norway are still in celebratory mood - and he's a decent price to score in the San Siro at 7/5 as he's unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.

The Azzurri will go out hard, Gennaro Gattuso will demand that, but Norway are a good side who could ruffle a few feathers at the World Cup and I expect them to stand strong here - and we all know Haaland only needs on chance to score.

Recommended bets

Back England win to nil, Eze 2+ shots on target @ 9/2

Back Ukraine and both teams to score @ 10/3

Back Haaland to score in Italy v Norway draw @ 6/1