Andy Schooler previews matchday eight of European World Cup qualifying with England, Scotland and Wales all in action in the Sunday to Tuesday period.
International Football Tips: October 10th 2025
Let’s be honest, Scotland got a bit lucky on Thursday night. They were outplayed by Greece for an hour and relied heavily on set pieces to get themselves back into a game they ultimately won 3-1. But for those who care only about results, it was very good and now Scotland know the expected victory here will guarantee them at least a play-off spot in this World Cup qualifying campaign.
Of course, the Scots have a long-held reputation for making a mess of supposedly easy fixtures – Costa Rica, Italia 90 anyone? – but even they should get this job done, although I doubt many will be steaming into odds of 1.09. Belarus have shipped 13 goals in three qualifiers so far, including six against Denmark on Thursday. Scotland have already won the reverse fixture 2-0.
Football Tips: Scotland v Belarus (Sun, 5pm)
For those betting on this game, you could try the obvious – Scott McTominay has 11 goals in his last 22 competitive internationals. The thing is, he’s just 2.3 to score at any time – and there are four Scots ahead of him in the market! For me, it’s worth thinking a little outside the box and trying to grab some better value.
Step forward Billy Gilmour. He made a big difference when coming on as sub on Thursday and should be rewarded with a start in this contest. OK, the Napoli man doesn’t score huge amounts of goals but he’s netted in his only start for his club this season and will likely get licence to push on in this one.
Belarus struggled to deal with runners into the box against the Danes and Gilmour may well be able to cause problems. It’s worth noting he managed two shots on target (without scoring) in the away game. The shot markets will be worth a look once they go up – Gilmour has had six in his last five competitive starts for Scotland – but it might be worth taking a chance on him at 5.2 in the anytime scorer betting.
Football Tips: Wales v Belgium (Mon, 7.45pm)
I’m writing this before Belgium’s clash with North Macedonia on Friday night but, regardless of the result in that one, this is a big game for both sides. Defeat for either would be a real blow to qualification hopes in what is a three-way race in Group J. For the record, the draw is chalked up at 3.3.
However, the rewards for victory are potentially huge and the reverse fixture in June was a wide-open affair which resulted in seven goals and Belgium edging the match with a late winner. Wales boss Craig Bellamy will certainly look to take more from that contest than Thursday’s 3-0 beating at Wembley where the game was effectively over after 20 minutes.
However, back on home soil and with something really at stake again, Wales can be expected to improve against a side who have struggled on the road in recent times. They’ve won just one of their last eight away games (in Liechtenstein) with their defensive record catching the eye. Belgium have conceded in six of their last seven away (that’s not including the neutral-soil Euro 2024 games), again Liechtenstein being the odd one out. It is with this in mind that both teams to score appeals. That’s landed in five of their last seven competitive away games, as well as a friendly at Wembley in that time period.
As for Wales, BTTS has delivered for backers in three of their five qualifiers thus far and also did so in four of their six home games during their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. Throw in the fact that all five meetings of these sides since 2021 have seen both teams score and I’m perfectly happy to back this at 1.75. Backing the hosts in the double-chance market at 1.85 also has plenty of potential given those away-day struggles the Belgians have endured.
Football Tips: Latvia v England (Tue, 7.45pm)
Depending on the outcome of Saturday’s Serbia v Albania game, England may head into this one knowing victory will take them to the 2026 World Cup. They should win – and are 1.03 to do so – but you aren’t reading this to hear that. Instead, here’s a 3.6 shot which can be created using an approach which I suspect many will feel is rather left field but hear me out.
England did batter Serbia 5-0 in their previous away game last month and quickly tore into Wales on Thursday. However, neither of those sides employed a low block. Look at other recent fixtures and that’s proved problematic for England. They only beat Andorra 2-0 at Wembley last month, while the reverse fixture was settled by a single Harry Kane goal – the captain is expected to return from injury for this one. Albania were also ‘only’ beaten 2-0 in this qualifying group. Latvia are defensively solid and are rarely battered.
In 28 home games since the turn of the decade, they’ve lost by 3+ goals only once. Croatia and the Netherlands are among those who have failed to win by 3+ in that period. So, if you think England will win (I do) and they will keep a clean sheet in the process (they haven’t conceded in their last seven competitive games), then adding under 2.5 goals gets us to 3.6. It basically means we’re backing a 1-0 or 2-0 England victory – and that’s been the outcome in three of their five qualifiers so far in this group.
International Football Tips: Matchday 8
Gilmour anytime scorer v Belarus @ 5.2 with kwiff
BTTS in Wales v Belgium @ 1.75 with kwiff
England to win to nil & under 2.5 goals @ 3.6 with kwiff
Please note that the information provided in this International Football Tips article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
