How Will England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Fare In Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers?
With the world's most prestigious football competition just over a year away, the battle to clinch one of the 32 spots is entering its final stretch. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all in action in World Cup 2018 qualifiers this month, and today we're taking an in-depth look at their games and predict how they will fare.
England v Lithuania (March 26, 2017)
England are going strong in their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign and are set to automatically qualify for the finals in Russia. The Three Lions are at the top of UEFA Group F at the moment with 10 points from four matches, two points clear of second-placed Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate's side will face Lithuania at Wembley Stadium on March 26. With Lithuania currently in fourth place and England having home advantage, the Three Lions will head into the game as favourites and will be confident of picking up all three points.
Prior to the match against Lithuania, England will face Germany in a friendly international. That match should set up the side nicely and will prepare them for what should be a comfortable game against Edgaras Jankauskas's side.
Prediction: England 4-0 Lithuania
Northern Ireland v Norway (March 26)
Northern Ireland are doing quite well in their 2018 World Cup qualifiers and stand a chance of making it through to the finals. Michael O'Neill's side are second in UEFA Group C with seven points from four matches, five points behind leaders Germany.
With Germany having a 100% record in the qualifying campaign and being one of the strongest teams in Europe, it is unlikely that Northern Ireland will end up as the winners of the group. The Green and White Army can enhance their chances of finishing second, however, with victory over Norway this month.
According to the bookies, O'Neill's side are 13/10 win the match. With the game taking place at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland will be confident of bagging all three points. Norway are second from bottom in the group and are unlikely to pose a big problem.
Prediction: Northern Ireland 2-0 Norway
Republic of Ireland v Wales (March 24)
Wales stunned the footballing world by progressing to the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championship in France, but things are not going too well for them at the moment. The Dragons' 2018 World Cup qualification campaign has not been very encouraging thus far, and there is a chance that they could fail to book a spot for the prestigious competition in Russia.
Chris Coleman's side are third in UEFA Group D with six points from four matches, two points behind second-placed Serbia and four behind leaders the Republic of Ireland, whom they will face this month. Winning at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin against a confident Ireland side is not going to be easy, and the Welsh would have done well if they could collect a point from the encounter.
Prediction: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Wales
Scotland v Slovenia (March 26, 2017)
Scotland's chances of playing in Russia next year are looking slim. Gordon Strachan's side are currently fifth in UEFA Group F with four points from as many games, four points behind second-placed Slovenia and six points leaders England.
Despite having home advantage this month, the Scots could suffer a defeat to Slovenia at Hampden Park in Glasgow, although they should make it hard for the visiting team.
Prediction: Scotland 1-2 Slovenia