Bulgaria vs. Switzerland (Thursday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Bulgaria and Switzerland begin their bids to make the finals of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday when they do battle in Sofia in their first game of qualification Group C.
The hosts have not qualified for the showpiece event since 1998, while Switzerland are aiming to qualify for the fifth time running having last failed to do so in 2002.
We say: Bulgaria 0-2 Switzerland
Switzerland held their own against Europe's best during their Nations League campaign, so Petkovic can be forgiven for expecting his side to sweep aside their opponents on matchday one. The hosts will relish the opportunity to learn from their new manager, but it would take a miracle for Petrov to inspire his side to victory here, so a comfortable away win is the only outcome that we can predict.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Israel vs. Denmark (Thursday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Israel and Denmark square off on Thursday evening as both nations look to get their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start.
In a well-balanced group which also includes Austria and Scotland, the result of this contest could prove decisive come the end of the year.
We say: Israel 1-2 Denmark
Israel may relish their tag as underdogs for this game as they bid to make an early move in Group F. Nevertheless, we cannot back against the visitors, who will be full of belief after their results in the UEFA Nations League.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Spain vs. Greece (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Spain will hope to kick off their bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in perfect fashion when they do battle with Greece at the Nuevo Los Carmenes in Group B on Thursday evening.
The hosts are aiming to improve on their last-16 finish in Russia 2018, whereas Greece are bidding to return to the world stage after missing out three years ago.
We say: Spain 4-1 Greece
Spain's fearsome squad would strike fear into the hearts of most teams, and Enrique's side will certainly be favourites to progress as group winners as they prepare for an unrelenting year. The Roja's home record speaks for itself, and while Greece enjoyed a respectable Nations League campaign, they will be brought crashing back down to earth by Spain and we can only back a resounding home win this week.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Spain could line up against Greece
Sweden vs. Georgia (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Sweden begin their World Cup qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Georgia, aware that every result will count in a five-nation group involving Spain.
Meanwhile, Georgia head into this contest on the back of a five-match winless streak, a period which includes their defeat to North Macedonia in the Euro 2020 playoffs.
We say: Sweden 2-0 Georgia
With Georgia having put together a strong defensive record in 2020, this result is far from a foregone conclusion. Nevertheless, with Ibrahimovic back in Sweden's ranks, the home side should have enough quality in the final third to get over the line.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Italy vs. Northern Ireland (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Italy get their qualification campaign for Qatar 2022 underway on Thursday, as the Azzurri face Northern Ireland at Parma's Stadio Ennio Tardini.
The opening match of Group C for both sides could set the tone for their hopes of making it to the first end-of-year World Cup in the competition's long and illustrious history.
We say: Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
Looking to blend some promising youngsters with the established old guard that failed to progress through the last World Cup qualifiers, Roberto Mancini has developed a consistent unit capable of pushing for major honours once more.
The Azzurri can take the first step towards doing so with a regulation win over Northern Ireland, who have seen the wind drop from their sails since failing to reach the Euros and are without a win inside 90 minutes for well over a year.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Italy could line up against Northern Ireland
> The main talking points ahead of Northern Ireland's clash with Italy
Moldova vs. Faroe Islands (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Moldova will host the Faroe Islands at the Zimbru Stadium for their opening World Cup 2022 qualifier on Thursday evening.
The two nations have never qualified for a major tournament before and head into Group F as rank outsiders as they are joined by Denmark, Austria, Scotland and Israel.
We say: Moldova 0-1 Faroe Islands
Both European minnows will view this fixture as one of their best opportunities to pick up points in Group F and start their World Cup qualifying campaign strongly.
With little to separate the two sides, we can see the Faroe Islands edging out Moldova on Thursday evening.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Scotland vs. Austria (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Scotland open their World Cup qualifying campaign against Austria on Thursday evening as Steve Clarke's side look to build on reaching Euro 2020.
Like their hosts, Austria have not featured at a World Cup finals since 1998, but being drawn in a well-matched group has provided Burschen with their best opportunity in two decades.
We say: Scotland 1-1 Austria
While both nations will be eager to get off to a winning start, avoiding defeat at Hampden Park may take priority. With that in mind, we expect a low-scoring draw to play out, potentially with Scotland having to fend off a late rally from their opponents.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> A look at the main talking points ahead of Scotland's home game with Austria
Andorra vs. Albania (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Andorra will welcome Albania to the Estadi Nacional on Thursday evening as both teams get their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign underway.
The two nations will be joined in Group I by England, Poland, Hungary and San Marino, and they will view this encounter as a good opportunity to get their first points on the board.
We say: Andorra 0-2 Albania
Both Andorra and Albania will want to give a good account of themselves in a group that is likely to be a foregone conclusion, but if they are to claim any points then this could be one fixture where they have a chance.
The visitors will be the favourites for Thursday's encounter and should have enough to secure a narrow victory at the Estadi Nacional.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
England vs. San Marino (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
England begin the road to Qatar on Thursday when they welcome minnows San Marino to Wembley Stadium in qualification Group I.
The Three Lions will endeavour to secure top spot in the group and seal progress to next winter's tournament, whereas San Marino - as ever - are simply playing for pride.
We say: England 6-0 San Marino
This may simply be a case of how many goals England can chalk up over the course of 90 minutes, and Southgate's youngsters will be determined to stake their claims for spots in the Euros squad this summer. A convincing victory in their inaugural game is no less than the Three Lions faithful will expect this week, and we can see Southgate's side hitting San Marino for six in the capital.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How England could line up against San Marino
> A look at the main talking points as England prepare to host San Marino
Hungary vs. Poland (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Poland will begin their road to Qatar on Thursday evening when they travel to Hungary for their opening World Cup 2022 qualifier.
The hosts are hoping to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches, while the visitors know that a defeat here would put unwanted pressure on their trip to Wembley next week when they face Group I favourites England.
We say: Hungary 0-1 Poland
A tight affair is expected on Thursday night and Hungary are likely to be stubborn opponents to break down. However, their backline will be up against one of the world's best strikers in Lewandowski, who has found the net 42 times in just 36 appearances so far this season.
The hosts will do well to keep a clean sheet against Poland, but we feel the visitors have enough to secure a narrow victory at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Germany vs. Iceland (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Joachim Low begins his final World Cup Qualification campaign with Germany on Thursday when the four-time champions welcome Iceland to the MSV-Arena in Group J.
Both teams failed to progress past the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, and Die Mannschaft in particular will be desperate to improve on that finish under new leadership.
We say: Germany 3-0 Iceland
While Low will not be in the hotseat to witness Germany at the next World Cup, the 61-year-old will not let a hint of complacency creep in as he bids to steer Die Mannschaft to another finals. It will be interesting to see how Iceland set up under their new manager, but Vidarsson could hardly have been handed a more challenging opening task, and this should be a routine win for Germany.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Germany could line up against Iceland
Liechtenstein vs. Armenia (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Ranked 181st in the world, little Liechtenstein begin another uphill struggle in Group J of the Qatar 2022 qualifiers on Thursday, as they host Armenia, who may harbour ambitions of a top-two finish.
The Armenians know that only the group winners - most probably Germany - are guaranteed progress to the finals, but they have already secured a shot at the playoffs courtesy of their Nations League success late last year.
We say: Liechtenstein 0-2 Armenia
Even without their captain and creative figurehead, Armenia can pick off a stubborn Liechtenstein side in Vaduz this Thursday.
Recent results may even have caused the team coached by former La Liga tactician Joaquin Caparros to aim higher, so this opening game of a triple-header is already a must-win occasion for the visitors.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Romania vs. N. Macedonia (Thursday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Following their history-making heroics in qualifying for this summer's delayed Euro 2020, Igor Angelovski's North Macedonia squad visit Bucharest to meet Romania on Thursday.
The one-time minnows of European football now look to make a positive start to their Group J campaign, in pursuit of qualification for next year's World Cup in Qatar. The hosts, meanwhile, aim to defy the odds and reach their first global finals since 1998.
We say: Romania 2-1 North Macedonia
Having perhaps under-achieved in recent times, the wide-open nature of the race for second place behind Germany in Group C should inspire Romania sufficiently to take advantage of playing at home first, ahead of a frenetic week of fixtures.
With the well-balanced section set to throw up a series of tightly-contested games though, this encounter could be a potential early highlight, as North Macedonia are a newly-confident proposition with several talented individuals that thrive on the international stage.
