Thursday's World Cup predictions including Portugal vs. Turkey

Wales vs. Austria (Thursday, 7.45pm)

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Wales and Austria resume their efforts to qualify for the 2022 World Cup on Thursday evening with their semi-final playoff tie in Cardiff.

Whoever prevails will set up a showdown with either Scotland or Ukraine, but that final will be played at a later date due to Russia's military invasion of the latter.

We say: Wales 2-1 Austria

This can only be a close game, surely. Both teams have their pros and cons, and it should make for a nerve-wracking 90 minutes, potentially even longer. However, with a home crowd behind them, we feel that Wales will eventually get the job done, perhaps with a winner in the closing stages.

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Sweden vs. Czech Republic (Thursday, 7.45pm)

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Sweden and Czech Republic will be looking to move to the brink of World Cup qualification when they square off in their semi-final playoff tie on Thursday evening.

Whoever prevails from the fixture in Solna will set up a clash with Poland, who have already progressed through to the final courtesy of Russia being thrown out of the competition due to the country's military invasion of Ukraine.

We say: Sweden 1-2 Czech Republic

Having pushed Spain during their group, Sweden will fancy their chances of setting up a final with Poland. However, we feel that Czech Republic have the edge in important areas of the pitch, leading us to predict an away victory by the odd goal in three.

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Italy vs. N. Macedonia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

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Italy's bid to secure a place in Qatar continues on Thursday, with Roberto Mancini's side taking on North Macedonia in the semi-final of their World Cup 2022 Qualifying playoff in Palermo.

The two nations are vying for the opportunity to meet Portugal or Turkey in the Path C final, which is due to take place on Tuesday March 29.

We say: Italy 3-1 North Macedonia

While the Italian old guard of Bonucci and Chiellini both have their injury problems to overcome, the absence of two key names in Elmas and Kostadinov for North Macedonia will play right into the Azzurri's hands.

Milevski's side command respect for making it this far with plenty of goals en route, but Italy are yet to suffer a single World Cup Qualifying defeat at home and that is unlikely to change here, with the European champions eyeing a straightforward route into the playoff final.

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> How Italy could line up against North Macedonia

Portugal vs. Turkey (Thursday, 7.45pm)

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Portugal and Turkey will both aim to move one step closer to World Cup 2022 qualification when they do battle in Thursday's playoff semi-final at the Estadio do Dragao.

Fernando Santos's side are forced to go down the playoff route after finishing second in Group A, while Turkey finished as runners-up to the Netherlands in Group G.

We say: Portugal 3-2 Turkey

While Turkey will take confidence from their recent spate of victories, they have all been against sides whom they would have expected to beat, and one European superpower in the Netherlands simply tore them apart last year.

Portugal's depleted defence is there to be exposed by Kuntz's side, and a tasty affair with plenty of goals on the menu is likely, but the hosts have plenty of attacking stars on form for their respective clubs and should edge a close contest to make the playoff final.

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> How Portugal could line up against Turkey