Charlie’s World Cup Qualifier predictions: England to edge Slovakia?

Charlie Nicholas returns with his latest round of World Cup Qualifier predictions, tipping a tight affair between England and Slovakia.

Gareth Southgate’s men can all-but wrap up top spot in Group E with victory over Slovakia, who sit two points behind their hosts with two games remaining, while third-placed Scotland will be looking to close the gap on the Wembley visitors to a solitary point by seeing off bottom side Malta.

Monday night also sees Northern Ireland host Czech Republic with a point enough to secure them second place in Group C, although top spot looks beyond their grasp with World Cup favourites Germany winning all seven of their Qualifiers so far.

Then on Tuesday night, Republic of Ireland host Group D leaders Serbia with Wales looking to gain ground when they visit basement side Moldova. Here’s what Charlie is predicting for the five clashes…

England v Slovakia (Monday, 7.45pm)

England were not convincing against Malta and you could tell they were feeling the strain. You can tell by the fans’ reactions that there’s not much confidence flowing through the team.

We all knew it was going to take a bit of time to break down Malta but you have to be concerned about some of the players and how they dealt with that pressure, although I think Raheem Sterling might have been feeling a bit of emotional strain after being linked with Arsenal!

England should be wiping the floor with these teams in this group. I don’t mean beating Malta eight or nine nil but the way they lack urgency is concerning.

Even things like Southgate coming out and saying Phil Jones is his best defender shows the sort of confusion in the camp. He’s trying to convince everyone he’s got a great squad but they need to prove it on the pitch.

You do have to expect England to win this and qualify thanks to Harry Kane’s goals but they don’t seem to be fast starters and I expect them to slowly grind down Slovakia, who can be dangerous if they see enough of the ball.

I don’t see it being a eye-catching performance and us Scots will be wondering whether England are going to do us the favour we need so I’d be looking a late winner, perhaps from Dele Alli.

Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Kane to score first (18/1 with Sky Bet)

Scotland v Malta (Monday, live on Sky Sports Football from 7.15pm)

I have to admit I got Friday’s result very wrong! We felt so flat going into that game but I should have known that Scotland always produce when they’re down on themselves.

It was probably the best performance since Gordon Strachan came into the job, but it’s taken him three-and-a-half years to find a solution to producing a dominant and attacking performance.

You could see Malta were fairly well drilled against England and we saw with Luxembourg against France, if you can avoid an unlucky deflection, then the lesser sides can sit in and grind out results.

However, I’m going to be a bit more positive here given we beat them 5-1 last time, so I think Strachan can afford to make a few changes and still get a comfortable result.

Charlie predicts: 4-0 and Armstrong to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)

Northern Ireland v Czech Republic (Monday, live on Sky Sports Mix from 7.15pm)

It will be a cracking atmosphere in Belfast but you can imagine they will be nervous given how close they are to securing second spot.

The Czechs have lost their way in recent years but the odds on this match tell you that they are good enough to cause problems, especially if Northern Ireland do start a bit slow.

They may not have the same quality these days but they still nearly got a point against Germany, although I do think Northern Ireland will get the result they need and I’d expect them to have to come from behind to get it.

Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Jan Kliment to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)

Moldova v Wales (Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Mix from 7.15pm)

Wales have to go for it. They dug in against Austria and the youngster Ben Woodburn did fantastically well to secure them the win.

Moldova have nothing more than pride to play for and they will do everything they can to stop Gareth Bale, so the value sits with those who will benefit from the additional space to operate.

Charlie predicts: 0-2 – Ramsey to score first (20/1 with Sky Bet)

Republic of Ireland v Serbia (live on Sky Sports Football from 7.15pm)

The is a huge game. I still worry about the lack of goals Ireland have in them as they struggle to replace Robbie Keane’s heroics, but this contest won’t be short of blood and thunder.

I’ve always stuck by Ireland, with the heart they’ve got, to grind out results when it counts, especially at home. So I’m going for them to edge this one and keep Group D wide open going into the final round of Qualifiers.

Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Jon Walters to score first (40/1 with Sky Bet)

(c) Sky News 2017: Charlie’s World Cup Qualifier predictions: England to edge Slovakia?