World Cup qualification: Back England and Bosnia for victories, intrigue expected in other matches

On June 7, a series of World Cup qualifying matches are scheduled among European national teams. Here’s a quick analysis and some betting options for select fixtures.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs San Marino. Bosnians should boost their goal difference

This is one of those games with no intrigue—bookmakers have no doubt about the home team’s victory, and the only question is the margin. Bosnia started the campaign brightly, seizing the lead in their group, and goal difference could prove decisive at the end of qualifying. That means they need to dispatch the group’s main underdog convincingly, especially at home.

San Marino’s main task here is to avoid a thrashing—and ideally, to find the net themselves. Expect Bosnia to dominate, moving the ball quickly into the opposition’s penalty area. Even if they go three goals up, the hosts shouldn’t ease off, and need to apply constant pressure to a side that’s far inferior in individual quality.

Bet for the match – Bosnia and Herzegovina to win with a -4.5 goal handicap at 2.56.

Andorra vs England. No trouble expected for the English

Another match where a clear underdog faces a heavy favorite. England are true giants compared to Andorra, and the bookmakers’ odds reflect that. The match will be played in Spain on neutral ground, so Andorra won’t even have the benefit of home turf.

England will dominate possession; the only question is how clinical they’ll be in front of goal. The nominal hosts will set up defensively, looking to frustrate the English attack. England are expected to win their group comfortably—and ideally, seal qualification early. The Three Lions have started well with two wins and no goals conceded, while Andorra have suffered two losses and are yet to score.

• See also: Trinidad and Tobago vs Saint Kitts and Nevis prediction, H2H and probable lineups – June 7, 2025

Bet for the match – England to win with a -3.5 goal handicap at 1.73.

Austria vs Romania. A tense clash between direct rivals

This is a fascinating fixture in the context of the battle to advance from the group. Austria haven’t played any qualifiers yet, while Romania have already beaten San Marino but suffered a costly home defeat to Bosnia, making their task more difficult.

Even though Austria are clear favorites according to the bookmakers, I’m expecting a tough and unpredictable match that could go either way. Romania are a solid and experienced side, built on organization and structure—never easy opponents. Much will depend on how clinical each team is in front of goal, and it’s hard to gauge current form.

Bet for the match – both teams to score at 2.21.

Albania vs Serbia. How will this fierce rivalry play out?

Seeing this fixture on the schedule immediately raises hopes that things will pass without incident, given the tense relations between these countries. On the football side, these are two strong teams, with the visitors slight favorites.

Albania have already tasted qualification action, losing heavily away to England but beating Andorra at home. Serbia haven’t played yet in this campaign, but with such a tough opponent up next, there’s no time for a slow start. It might be early to look so far ahead, but this could very well be a battle for second place, since competing with England will be a tall order.

Bet for the match – over 2 total goals at 1.82.

Finland vs Netherlands. Can the Finns trouble the powerful visitors?

I’m expecting a tough match that’s far from straightforward. The Dutch have the edge in quality and are favorites, but taking all three points from Finland won’t be easy. The Scandinavians can cause problems for anyone at home. Finland have already played twice in qualifying, beating Malta away and drawing 2-2 away against Lithuania—an agonizing result, having led 2-0 against a modest opponent.

The Netherlands are just beginning their campaign, and their goal will surely be to top the group. For Finland, even fighting for second place will be tough, with both the Dutch and Poland in the mix.

Bet for the match – both teams to score at 2.26.

If you combine all these bets into an accumulator, the odds shoot up to over 40, depending on the bookmaker.