We offer our best bets as Czechia and Ireland do battle in the semi-final play-off in Prague on Thursday night.
Three straight wins, including a stunning success over Portugal, means Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for a first World Cup in 24 years are still alive and they will be hoping the momentum gained from those victories will help them in Prague on Thursday.
However, Czechia are an extremely experienced side and home advantage makes them strong favourites for the pair’s play-off clash at the Fortuna Arena.
Here are our international football betting bet builder selections for Thursday night’s clash.
Czechia v Ireland Bet Builder
Pays out at 8/1
Hosts heading for play-off final
Troy Parrott’s heroics may have saved Ireland’s qualifying campaign but it will be a big ask for him to produce another Herculean effort in Czechia, where the hosts have been exceptional of late.
Miroslav Koubek’s side have won 13 and lost none of their last 16 matches on home soil and that leaves an inconsistent Ireland facing a serious Prague problem.
Ukraine and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia are among the talented sides to fall short during that impressive Czech run and suspensions for Festy Ebosele and Liam Scales, as well as the injury absence of Josh Cullen, leaves the Boys in Green looking vulnerable in their play-off semi-final.
Leg 1: Czechia to win @ 1/1
Soucek set to step up again
Despite being stripped of the captaincy, Tomas Soucek’s warrior-like personality means he is not the type to throw his toys out of the pram and he is a likely candidate to step up for his nation on Thursday.
The West Ham midfielder has a tendency to pop up in big moments, scoring crucial goals against Manchester United, Burnley and Newcastle during the Hammers’ Premier League relegation battle, and is a constant threat thanks to his aerial prowess and dangerous right foot.
Soucek has managed seven shots on target in eight 2026 World Cup qualifiers, scoring twice, and his big-game prowess means he should add to that tally against a shaky Ireland defence.
Leg 2: Tomas Soucek to have a shot on target @ 11/10
Manning may be cautioned in Prague
Scales’ suspension means Ryan Manning is likely to come in at left wing-back for the visitors and while he will improve their attacking output, he is a far less reliable defender.
The Southampton full-back is no stranger to mistimed challenges, picking up two yellow cards in just 396 minutes of action during this qualifying campaign, and he faces a tough task dealing with Vladimir Coufal’s marauding runs.
The former West Ham right-back loves to bomb forward and Manning will be kept busy by him, whoever starts on the right wing for the hosts and Patrik Schick, who often drifts wide before coming inside.
Leg 3: Ryan Manning to be carded @ 13/10
