talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice on Thursday 26 March

The World Cup qualifying playoffs are the key fixtures on Thursday night with eight first-leg ties taking place across Europe.

We have a trio of selections which make up our best bets of the day.

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Thursday football tips

Bet of the Day – Ireland to beat Czech Republic @ 13/5 

Ireland ended their World Cup qualifying group in fantastic form and confidence should be flowing through the Boys in Green as they tackle the Czech Republic in the playoffs.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men ended Group F with three straight victories over Armenia, Portugal and Hungary and they finished only three points adrift of the Selecao at the top of the section.

November’s 2-0 Aviva Stadium success over Portugal was an excellent effort and it indicates the level which Ireland can reach.

The Boys in Green can call on Caoimhin Kelleher in goal, a strong defence containing Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea and Jake O’Brien and Hallgrímsson now has a regular goalscorer at the top of the pitch.

Troy Parrott has hit five goals in his last two international appearances and the 24-year-old has struck 14 Eredivisie goals for AZ this season.

The Czech Republic scored 18 goals in their eight qualification matches, but 10 of those strikes came in two matches against Gibraltar and they lack the firepower to be justify odds-on quotes.

At 29/10, Ireland rate the strongest play on Thursday’s coupon.

Special of the Day – Over 2.5 goals & both teams to score bet builder in Italy v Northern Ireland @ 33/20 

Italy are a nation with a big reputation and rich footballing history, but the current Azzurri side appear a long way from the golden years.

Gennaro Gattuso’s men were clear second best to Norway in their qualification section, and things could have been worse, but for a last-gasp 2-0 victory over Moldova and late 5-4 success against Israel.

There were 33 goals in the Azzurri’s eight qualification matches and all but two of those games saw at least three goals.

Northern Ireland were no pushovers in Group A, where they won three of their six games and the Green and White Army found the net in a 3-1 loss to a top-level Germany team in Cologne.  

Michael O’Neill’s men are capable of contributing to a high-scoring contest and backing over 2.5 goals and both teams to score appeals in a 33/20 bet builder.

Longshot of the Day – Wales, Ukraine, Romania treble @ 36/1

Wales lost only two of their eight Group J qualifying matches in a campaign which saw the Dragons finish only two points off table-topping Belgium and score 21 goals.

Craig Bellamy’s men look a bet to beat a Bosnia and Herzegovina side who are unconvincing away from home.

Ukraine can’t call on home advantage, but they lost only two of their six group-stage games and they have a quality squad who can take down Sweden.

The Swedes have gone six games without a victory. They collected only two points from a group containing Switzerland, Slovenia and Kosovo and a lot of faith has been put in manager Graham Potter.

A big-priced punt can be taken on Romania. Turkey rate a progressive side under a good manager in Vincenzo Montella, but pressure doesn’t serve the Crescent Stars well.

Turkey collapsed to a 6-0 defeat against Spain in qualifying and Romania appear overpriced. 

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Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change*

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