World Cup Qualifiers Europe Predictions - 16 November 2025, Matchday 8

In-form Ireland have won two on the bounce at a crucial time, with the last match of qualification in Group F against Hungary on Sunday. They sensationally beat top-of-the-table Portugal 2-0 and it’s a straight shootout now between them and Hungary, but Ireland must win to keep their World Cup dream alive. Hungary have won two and drawn one of their last three games, but their wins were both against bottom-of-the-table Armenia. Also in Ireland’s favour is the fact that they drew with Hungary in their earlier group match, but they won one and drew one of their two most recent matches against Hungary.

England are in championship-winning form, winning all seven of their qualifying matches to date. Ironically, they have beaten Albania in all seven of their previous meetings on the international stage. England’s goal ratio in qualifying is 20:0, while second-placed Albania (who have qualified for the next stage of qualifying matches) have scored 7:3, winning four of their seven matches. England beat Albania 2-0 in their earlier group match, but in their seven meetings to date England have scored 21 goals, with Albania netting just once, which was back in 2001.

A dead rubber, with both sides out of the running for the next stage of World Cup qualifying. Latvia have won just one of their seven matches in qualifying, losing four times and conceding 14:3. Serbia have missed out on qualifying for the next stage by four points (depending on the results of the final matches on Sunday), so they will have a lot of pride to play for, while Latvia will have long since checked out of the tournament. Latvia have drawn four and lost four of their last games, scoring just three goals to 13. The teams have met just once before, in their group match at the start of September, Serbia winning 1-0.

It’s a straight shootout for a spot in the next stage of qualifying matches, with Iceland and Ukraine both on seven points from five matches. Iceland have the edge with a superior goal difference of seven goals, and the war in Ukraine means the match is being played at a neutral venue. Ukraine have won two and drawn one of their last four matches, while Iceland have won one, drawn one and lost two of their last four. The acid test could rest in their previous meeting in the group just over a month ago, when Ukraine beat Iceland 5-3 in Reykjavík. Both sides have scored and conceded a lot in qualifying, so expect a goalfest as they slug it out for second spot.