Friday's World Cup qualifying predictions: betting preview & free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Friday's European World Cup qualifiers.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Red Button, 7.45pm Friday

Best bets

Turkey
1pt 6-5 Betfair, Betfred

Estonia
1pt 7-5BoyleSports

Preview

Turkey have opted for a change of direction since last month's 6-1 defeat away to the Netherlands and can begin life under new head coach Stefan Kuntz with an important victory over Norway in Istanbul.

There was some discontent among Turkish fans after the nation's poor performance at Euro 2020 where they lost to Italy (0-3), Wales (0-2) and Switzerland (1-3).

The Turks needed a response in September's World Cup qualifiers but a routine 3-0 victory away to Gibraltar was followed by that heavy defeat in Amsterdam, resulting in the end of Senol Gunes's two-and-a-half year spell in charge.

Kuntz needs to hit the ground running because his team are third in Group G – two points behind second-placed Norway – with four games left to play.

But he is selecting from a strong pool of players and looks well-stocked in forward areas with attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and centre-forward Burak Yilmaz possessing obvious match-winning capabilities.

Norway are enjoying a decent campaign but are without their talisman Erling Haaland, who was forced to withdraw with a muscle strain. Back-up striker Joshua King is also absent so Genk forward Kristian Thorstvedt may be asked to lead the line.

Norway are also under-strength in defence in the absence of injured Brentford centre-back Kristoffer Ajer and may suffer a damaging defeat.

Fifth-placed Estonia and fourth-placed Belarus are battling to avoid bottom spot in Group E and the pair could be set to switch places with the Estonians looking worthy favourites for their clash in Tallinn.

Belarus's only points have come courtesy of a 4-2 success at home to Estonia, although they scored their final two goals after opposing striker Karl Rudolf Oigus had been dismissed.

Estonia produced their best performance in qualifying when drawing 0-0 away to Wales last month and can gain some revenge over an inexperienced Belarus squad featuring six uncapped players.

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