Thursday sees all eight of the World Cup semi-final playoff ties take place.
Northern Ireland face a thought trip to Bergamo to take on four-time winners Italy, the Republic of Ireland also face a tricky trip to Prague to face Czechia, whilst Wales host Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Make sure to check out our expert and best betting tips from all eight of Thursday’s World Cup playoff ties below:
Thursday’s World Cup playoff betting tips and predictions
Turkey vs Romania (17:00)
Turkey and Romania are a couple of wins away from reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in decades, but only one will remain in pursuit of this dream after Thursday's clash.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Both teams to score
Turkey had some of the most entertaining matches in the qualifiers, with five of their last six games featuring at least four goals.
Romania also saw plenty of action in their matches, so we’ll focus on their away games. Even in their losses, the team has scored at least once in eight consecutive away matches since June 2024.
Tip 2: Turkey & Over 2.5 goals
Both teams showed great form in the final months of 2025, but the hosts look far more convincing at the moment, and many of their key players are in top form. We expect them to win this match, but not without conceding at least one goal.
Tip 3: Kenan Yildiz to score anytime
This looks like the perfect opportunity for Kenan Yildiz, who has significantly improved his form in March and is coming off four goal contributions (G2, A2) in his last three matches for Juventus. He also has three goals in his five appearances for Turkey in this World Cup qualifying cycle.
Czechia vs Republic of Ireland (19:45)
The Republic of Ireland travel to Prague on Thursday night to take on Czechia in a crucial World Cup semi-final playoff tie.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Over 2.25 Asian Goal Line
Czechia’s opening eight World Cup qualifiers have averaged 3.25 goals per game, with seven (88%) of those qualifiers featuring at least two strikes, whilst five (63%) have gone Over 2.5 Goals.
The Republic of Ireland have only blanked away to Portugal in qualifying, but they conceded five goals in their three away clashes, meaning I’m happy to attack the Over 2.25 Asian Goal Line, which pays 17/20 at bet365.
Tip 2: Troy Parrott to Score or Assist
Troy Parrott is having yet another terrific season for AZ, with the striker scoring 28 goals and providing 10 assists across his 41 matches in all competitions this campaign.
The ex-Spurs youngster has also bagged a brace at home to Portugal and a hat trick away to Hungary across the Irish previous two World Cup qualifiers, and is an appealing 7/4 at bet365 to Score or Assist in Prague on Thursday.
Denmark vs North Macedonia (19:45)
Parken Stadium sets the stage on Thursday night as Denmark host North Macedonia in a high-stakes World Cup play-off semi-final.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Rasmus Hojlund To Score or Assist
Having fired in five goals across his last five appearances for Denmark, Rasmus Hojlund looks good value for a goal or an assist at 4/5 with William Hill.
Tip 2: Rasmus Hojlund 2+ Shots on Target
The 5/6 for the Danish attacker to deliver two or more on-target efforts also appeals at 5/6 with bet365.
Tip 3: Over 2.5 North Macedonia Corners
North Macedonia look well worth backing to win three or more corners on Thursday night at even-money (1/1) on bet365.
If the Lynxes fall behind, they’ll have to push forward to score, which should naturally create chances for corners.
It’s also worth noting that Goce Sedloski’s side cleared the over 2.5 corner hurdle in their last outing away at Wales.
Italy vs Northern Ireland (19:45)
Italy will look to take another step in qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014 as they welcome Northern Ireland to Bergamo on Thursday in their semi-final playoff tie.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Italy to Win & Over 2.5 Goals
Italy have been scoring goals for fun in World Cup qualifying, with the Azzurri firing in 21 goals across their previous seven qualifiers.
Gennaro Gattuso’s hosts have fired in 2+ goals in all six of their qualifiers when excluding meetings with group winners Norway – even scoring 3+ in four (67%) of them – so combining an Italy Win & Over 2.5 Goals appeals to me here, which pays 1/1 at bet365.
Tip 2: Federico Dimarco to Score or Assist
Federico Dimarco has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far, as he has scored six goals and provided an incredible 15 assists across his opening 28 appearances in Serie A for leaders Inter this season.
Dimarco has also provided an assist in each of the Azzurri’s previous four World Cup qualifiers, and he is an appealing 7/5 at William Hill to Score or Assist on Thursday evening.
Poland vs Albania (19:45)
Poland and Albania face off in a crucial World Cup semi-final play-off at the PGE Narodowy on Thursday night.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Robert Lewandowski To Score or Assist
With a remarkable return of 88 goals in 163 appearances for Poland, Robert Lewandowski looks too big to ignore for a goal or an assist on Thursday night at even-money (1/1) on PaddyPower.
Tip 2: Matty Cash 2+ Shots
Matty Cash looks good value at even-money (bet365) to attempt two or more shots during Thursday night’s showdown in Warsaw.
Typically deployed as a right wing-back for the national team, Cash has attempted two or more shots in four of his last five outings.
Tip 3: Ylber Ramadani To Be Booked
Ylber Ramadani has never shied away from a yellow card, having earned plenty during his time with Aberdeen in Scotland. The tough-tackling Albanian midfielder was booked in his last outing against England, and another caution here looks well worth backing at 9/4 on bet365.
Slovakia vs Kosovo (19:45)
Kosovo are just 180 minutes away from reaching their first World Cup finals as an independent nation, but standing in their way is the national team of Slovakia, which hasn’t lost at home in nearly two years.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Under 2.5 goals
We see two possible outcomes for this match, both of which involve a low number of goals.
Tip 2: Draw
Both Kosovo and Slovakia have been impressive defensively, and we don’t expect them to change their style of play at such a crucial stage. It’s possible that one of the teams will win by a narrow margin, or that we’ll see a low-scoring draw like 0-0 or 1-1.
Given Slovakia’s strong home form, but also the fact that Kosovo defeated Slovenia and Sweden on the road without conceding a goal, we’ll take a chance on a draw.
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards
Ukraine vs Sweden (19:45)
Ukraine and Sweden will be bidding to move one step closer to the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Viktor Gyokeres goal or assist
Unlike in November, Graham Potter is able to call upon Viktor Gyokeres down the centre of his attack. The Arsenal forward will be making just his fifth Sweden appearance in nearly 18 months.
Gyokeres has contributed 16 goals and two assists from his 42 outings for Arsenal in 2025-26.
Tip 2: Roman Yaremchuk goal or assist
With both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Dovbyk missing through injury, Ukraine are more reliant on Roman Yaremchuk, the top goalscorer in the squad with 17 strikes from 65 appearances.
Although he has only racked up one goal and one assist from eight appearances on loan at Lyon, the 30-year-old has built up his match fitness since February 15, and he should be able to make an impression on this stage.
Tip 3: Both teams to score
Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (19:45)
Wales vs Bosnia takes place at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday in a World Cup European qualifying play off semi final, with the winners moving into a final against Italy or Northern Ireland.
Click here to read our full expert preview for this match.
Tip 1: Wales win
Wales to win is supported by clear differences in attacking efficiency and chance creation.
Tip 2: Bosnia over 1.5 cards, Wales doubl chance & under 4 goals
Bosnia’s output drops against stronger teams. They scored only four goals in six matches in Group 3 and failed to win any of those games, showing clear limitations when facing organised opposition.
Discipline also plays a role. Bosnia commit 17.4 fouls per match and have collected 21 yellow cards, the highest levels in qualifying, which reflects how often they are forced into reactive defending.
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Greg MacLean is a football tipster and betting analyst who has been writing on the Mr Fixit site for 4 years now, as well as having his own Private Telegram Channel. He is a Rangers season ticket holder and watches plenty of football not only here in the UK but all across Europe and all over the world. To keep up to date on everything, feel free to follow him on Twitter/X (GregMacLean_).
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