GROUP D has no superstar sides but in many ways it is D for Death.
When the draw was made picking the top two from Serbia, Ireland, Wales and Austria was a tough task.
Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales were much fancied but their form has suffered since a fabulous show in France.
Ireland, however, have moved on and going into tonight's big games are joint top with Serbia on 12 points with the Welsh and Austria trailing on eight ahead of their Cardiff showdown.
Martin O'Neill's men have been impressive in qualification having lost two of 18 since the start of their Euro 2016 campaign – compare that to tonight's opponents Georgia who have won four including two against Gibraltar.
The Irish won't get it easy in Tbilisi tonight but have won eight out of eight against the Georgians over 14 years, scoring 16 goals and conceding just four. Six of those triumphs have been by one-goal margins and another pays 23-10 at Paddy Power.
O’Neill’s side did the double over Georgia en route to Euro 2016 but needed a 90th-minute winner from Aiden McGeady on the road and won 1-0 in Dublin.
It was a similar story at home last year when Seamus Coleman hit the only goal. Another 1-0 win tonight is possible and pays 19-4 at McBookie. Just to win the Irish are 17-20 with Paddy Power and they should edge it.
Five draws in a row have hurt Wales and they may have to settle for another at home to Austria although a stalemate suits neither nation.
Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen all return though and having not lost at home in a qualifier since 2013 some will take a chance on Chris Coleman's men at 5-4 with bet365. I'd prefer to go draw no bet at 11-20 with McBookie. As always Real Madrid man Bale will be a popular first-scorer pick at 11-4 with bet365.
Biggest game of the night is in Group G where Spain entertain Italy in what is really a decider. The giants are locked on 16 points with five wins each and a draw when they met in Italy.
Eight of the last 12 matches between sides ranked in the world’s top 15 have been stalemates and I can see another tonight at 5-2 with McBookie. The last five meetings have gone under 2.5 goals.
Spain are odds-on favourites at 5-6 with William Hill while the Italians are as big as 17-4 at bet365.
Elsewhere Iceland look good value away to Finland in a gripping Group I where just two points split the top four.
Iceland have followed their Euro 2016 heroics by losing just in six qualifiers and are evens with McBookie away to an outfit with just one point.
Croatia crushed Kosovo 6-0 away so back them at 5-6 with boylesports to win by or four or more when they meet in Zagreb.
Recommended Bets
- Ireland to win by one
- Bale to score first
- Iceland
- Spain v Italy draw
- Croatia -4
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
