World Cup Qualifying Group A odds: Irish up against it
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Preview and betting tips for World Cup Qualifying Group A
Portugal are well on track for Qatar 2022 as we look at the World Cup Qualifying Group A odds.
It has been a solid if not spectacular start for Portugal but they are top of the Group A table after the first three rounds of matches and it would be a major surprise if they now fail to qualify.
They only managed a 1-0 win at home to Azerbaijan in their opener and then wasted a two-goal lead as they had to settle for a 2-2 draw in Serbia despite Diogo Jota’s first-half double.
Jota was on target again in a 3-1 win in Luxembourg so Portugal are in a healthy position ahead of World Cup qualifying resuming in September.
Portugal were eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 but will again be regarded as potential champions in the outright betting assuming they make it to the World Cup and they are clear favourites at 1/4 in the World Cup Qualifying Group A odds.
Serbia look their only realistic threat and are also on seven points after their first three matches, having beaten the Republic of Ireland 3-2 and Azerbaijan 2-1 either side of their comeback against Portugal.
Odds of 5/2 for Serbia to win the group could be tempting for some in terms of World Cup Qualifying Group A betting tips, especially given Portugal could only finish second behind Ukraine in qualifying for Euro 2020.
Serbia were also in that group and came third but were only three points behind Portugal, although their defensive record remains a cause for concern.
They conceded 17 goals in eight Euro 2020 qualifiers and have already shipped the most goals in Group A.
Irish must improve quickly
The Republic of Ireland missed out on Euro 2020 and already have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid the same fate here, having drifted to 14/1 to qualify.
The 3-2 defeat in Serbia was an early setback, especially having scored first through Alan Browne, but the 1-0 loss at home to Luxembourg was a hammer blow.
They do have a game in hand on the top two but must quickly find some better form when their campaign resumes with a daunting trip to Portugal before back-to-back home games against Azerbaijan and Serbia.
They threatened another upset in March when they took a first-half lead against Portugal and although they went on to lose 3-1, they have the ability to cause more problems if the top two get complacent.
Azerbaijan are the 150/1 outsiders in the World Cup Qualifying Group A odds but have proved they can be competitive at least, having only lost to Portugal and Serbia by one-goal margins.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
