Thursday’s World Cup playoff slate is packed with tension, with eight matchups set to decide who moves one step closer to qualification.
To cut through the noise, we’ve compiled all of our World Cup playoff predictions, picks, and odds into one spot — highlighting the strongest betting angles across the board.
Here are our free betting picks for every match on Thursday, March 26.
Best World Cup Playoff predictions
| Fixture | Best Bet |  |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey vs. Romania | Romania Over 0.5 goals | -141 |
| Czechia vs. Ireland | Czechia moneyline | +105 |
| Denmark vs. North Macedonia | Rasmus Hojlund to score | -102 |
| Italy vs. Northern Ireland | Under 2.5 goals | -108 |
| Poland vs. Albania | Albania Under 0.5 goals | -108 |
| Slovakia vs. Kosovo | Draw at halftime or full-time | -143 |
| Ukraine vs. Sweden | Both teams to score | -122 |
| Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | Harry Wilson to score | +170 |
Odds as of 3-26.
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Breaking down Thursday’s World Cup Playoff picks
These World Cup playoff predictions and best bets for Thursday’s matches highlight the strongest angles on the board, from sides and totals to player props offering value based on current form and matchup dynamics.
Turkey vs Romania
Best bet: Romania Over 0.5 goals (-141 at Sports Interaction)
Romania have scored in seven of their eight qualifying matches, including against group favorites Austria both home and away. Given Turkey’s defensive vulnerabilities, backing Romania to score at least once on Thursday stands out as the strongest angle.
Read Emanuel Rosu's full Turkey vs. Romania predictions!
Czechia vs Ireland
Best bet: Czechia moneyline (+105 at Sports Interaction)
Czechia’s soft qualifying group will get nitpicked, but their home form is no joke, and that’s what matters here. The Czechs are unbeaten in their last 16 at home (13 wins), scoring 42 goals while tightening up defensively with four clean sheets in their last five.
Read Chris Vasile's full Czechia vs Ireland predictions!
Denmark vs North Macedonia
Best bet: Rasmus Hojlund to score (-102 at Sports Interaction)
Rasmus Hojlund enters this matchup in outstanding form, scoring in each of Denmark’s last four games, including goals against Greece (home and away), Scotland, and a brace versus Belarus. He’s not just finding the net — he’s consistently getting into dangerous positions and leading the line with confidence.
Read Emanuel Rosu's full Denmark vs. North Macedonia predictions!
Italy vs Northern Ireland
Best bet: Under 2.5 goals (-108 at Sports Interaction)
Italy know how this story can end, and that’s exactly why they won’t open things up in this match. After past playoff failures, expect a controlled, defense-first approach, especially with three clean sheets in their last four home matches.
Read Chris Vasile's full Italy vs. Northern Ireland predictions!
Poland vs Albania
Best bet: Albania Under 0.5 goals (-108 at Sports Interaction)
Poland averaged just 9.3 shots allowed per game, with that number dropping to 7.5 at home, as they kept games tight and controlled.
Worryingly for Albania, they scored just seven times in eight qualifiers in Group K, with four of those goals coming in two games against an Andorra team that finished rock bottom in the group.
Read Sam Farley's full Poland vs. Albania predictions!
Slovakia vs Kosovo
Best bet: Draw at halftime or full-time (-143 at Sports Interaction)
Kosovo have drawn two of their last four matches, and with both sides capable of cancelling each other out, a draw at halftime or full-time in Bratislava stands out as the strongest angle.
Read Emanuel Rosu's full Slovakia vs Kosovo predictions!
Ukraine vs Sweden
Best bet: Both teams to score — Yes (-122 at Sports Interaction)
Ukraine’s 2-0 win over Iceland in their last outing was a rare result. It ended a run of 12 consecutive matches for Ukraine without keeping a clean sheet.
The Swedes haven’t fared much better. They’ve gone seven without a clean sheet and allowed goals in all six of their World Cup qualifying matches.
Read Jason Ence's full Ukraine vs. Sweden predictions!
Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Best bet: Harry Wilson to score (+170 at Sports Interaction)
The Fulham midfielder has reached double digits in Premier League goals this season with 10, adding six assists, and has carried that form into international play with five goals in five qualifying matches — all while averaging just two shots per game.
Read Sam Farley's full Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina predictions!
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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