Football Park's Best Bets - Saturday's World Cup Qualifiers Treble

Football Park's Best Bets - Saturday's World Cup Qualifiers ACCA

England, Ireland, and Portugal are among the nations in World Cup Qualifiers action this Saturday as the road to USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 continues at pace. While some football fans hate the sight of an international break so early into the new season, for others international football is still the holy grail.

Regardless of your stance on the club v country debate, one thing that unifies us all is that desire to grab a few quid out of the bookies pockets. As a result, Football Park has put together the following Saturday internationals ACCA for you to consider.

Armenia v Portugal, Sat, 5.00

Armenia’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins with perhaps the toughest test imaginable as they welcome European giants Portugal to Yerevan. This campaign marks another attempt for Armenia to qualify for a major finals for the first time since independence. Their last qualifying cycle started brightly with three consecutive victories, but momentum quickly disappeared as they went winless in the following seven fixtures (D3, L4). Since shocking Wales in June 2023, their only other wins have come against Latvia and Kazakhstan. The federation has already turned a new page, replacing John van ’t Schip after just four matches with Yegishe Melikyan, who previously guided Pyunik Yerevan into the UEFA Conference League.

Portugal, meanwhile, arrive in Armenia ranked sixth in the world by FIFA. This match will be emotionally charged for them, as it is their first outing since the passing of Diogo Jota. Roberto Martínez’s side also return to action on the back of Nations League glory, having edged Spain on penalties to claim the trophy for a second time. Despite their pedigree, Portugal have been forced into the play-offs to reach three of the past four World Cups, though they reminded everyone of their efficiency by winning all ten matches in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

Armenia have never beaten Portugal in six previous meetings (D2, L4). On home soil, however, they’ve managed to avoid defeat in two of three clashes (D2, L1). With Ireland coming to Armenia on Tuesday, a strong start at home will be key in determining wheter Armenia are genuine World Cup contenders or castoffs in this group which also contains Hungary.

A strong rearguard will be key to holding off this star-studded Portugal side but the signs are not encouraging given that Armenia have leaked nine first-half goals in their last six World Cup qualifiers. While such a stat doesn't read well for Armenia, it may bode well for overs backers given there has been an average of 4.8 goals in their last five fixtures. However, Martínez’s Portugal boast six clean sheets from their previous eight WCQ away matches (W6, D2).

Back in 2015, Ronaldo scored a hattrick against Armenia to win 3-2

In a few days, he faces them again.

that LAST GOAL 🥶🥶 the touch, the power, the shot 🐐🐐🐐🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/5mUpfG8ry0

— NassrXtra (@xtra_nassr) September 3, 2025

In terms of players to watch out for, Eduard Spertsyan carries Armenia’s hopes, having netted their last three international goals and delivering 13 goal involvements in ten recent club appearances for Krasnodar (5G, 8A). Portugal’s talisman remains 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored in three consecutive internationals and boasts a remarkable record against Armenia, including a hat-trick on their last visit to Yerevan. Milan winger Rafael Leão is expected to missv out through injury.

There has been an element of wildness to both of these nations recent games with Armenia's last three scorelines reading 2-2, 5-2 (L), and 6-1 (L), while Portugal were involved in some high scoring games at the Nations League finals. As a result, I'm backing Portugal to win but BTTS.

SELECTION: Portugal win & BTTS @ 3.25 (Ladbrokes)

England v Andorra, Sat, 5.00

It's incredible how often England seem to land fixtures against the minnows Andorra in qualifying campaigns. This will be the fourth competitive meeting between the pair since 2021 with England winning the previous three by a combined tally of 10-0. June's 0-1 win away from home wasn't exactly ideal for three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel, who is still trying to win over a new audience.

Despite struggling against Andorra last time, the only difference this weekend compared to previous meetings will be the venue with this game taking place at Villa Park.

All additional tickets for the #ThreeLions' game against Andorra at Villa Park have now 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭. Thanks for your incredible support.

See you Saturday, @AVFCOfficial

— England (@England) September 2, 2025

England rarely face complications when it comes to World Cup qualifying. The Three Lions have successfully reached the last seven finals and are firmly on course for 2026 after three straight wins to open this campaign, all achieved without conceding. New manager Thomas Tuchel has been tasked with ending the nation’s six-decade wait for silverware, and even while experimenting with his squad, he’s overseen a continuation of their formidable record in home WCQ matches (W27, D3 across their last 30).

Andorra, by contrast, have never qualified for a major tournament and are destined to fall short again. Ranked among the lowest in UEFA, they’ve lost all four qualifiers so far without finding the net. This is familiar territory: they ended both the 2010 and 2014 campaigns without a single goal. With a historical WCQ record of just four wins in 66 attempts (D3, L59), their uphill battle continues here.

Both teams have scored in just one of England's last six overall fixtures and this should be a golden opportunity to record another clean sheet. The Three Lions clean sheet prospects look even stronger when you consider they've recorded a shut out in 18 of their last 20 WCQ's wins. Andorra’s only goals in their last 13 outings came against fellow minnows San Marino.

Harry Kane continues to be England’s danger man, netting the decisive goal in the reverse tie. Remarkably, each of his last seven international strikes has given England either a 1-0 or 2-0 advantage. For Andorra, captain Marc Vales recently earned his 100th cap, becoming just the fifth player in his country’s history to reach that milestone.

Tuchel must cope without Adam Wharton, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, who are all sidelined, while Andorra are expected to be at full strength.

With a full house at Villa Park, many of those turning out may be seeing the national team for the first time, they'll expect England to put on a show and they really need to if Tuchel is o start winning over England supporters.

SELECTION: England -4 @ 2.1

Ireland v Hungary, Sat, 7.45

Ireland’s long wait for a World Cup appearance stretches back to 2002, but hopes are rising again as the new qualifying campaign begins. Their last attempt ended in frustration, finishing third behind Serbia and Portugal, eight points adrift of the play-offs. This time the path looks more navigable, with just four teams in the group and two places up for grabs, one automatic, one via the play-offs. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side are unbeaten in 2025 (W2, D2), with their Nations League play-off win over Bulgaria particularly significant in preserving League B status.

Hungary’s absence from the global stage is even longer, dating back to 1986. They were competitive in their 2022 qualifying group but ultimately fell short, finishing behind England, Poland, and Albania. Their 2025 record is inconsistent: Nations League relegation to League B after losing to Turkey, a friendly defeat to Sweden, but also a morale-boosting 2-1 away win in Azerbaijan.

Ireland are without in-form striker Troy Parrott through injury, while captain Seamus Coleman is overlooked due to limited minutes at club level. Adam Idah has left Celtic in search of more playing time, meaning the attacking burden should fall on Evan Ferguson. The 19-year-old has started brightly at Roma, winning man of the match in their Serie A opener and notching an assist last weekend.

Evan Ferguson lost his grandfather yesterday before playing for Roma against Pisa

He went on to assist the winning goal for Roma

Amazing courage 🇮🇪💚 pic.twitter.com/4djijNp1S9

— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) August 31, 2025

Hungary’s squad features three uncapped players, including the surprise call-up of 30-year-old Barna Tóth. Their main goal threat remains Barnabás Varga, who contributed a goal and an assist in their recent win over Azerbaijan and has been prolific for club side Ferencváros, with ten goals and two assists in 11 appearances this season.

Dominik Szoboszlai is Hungary’s standout star and arrives in Dublin fresh from scoring a stunning strike for Liverpool. Though used at full-back by Jürgen Klopp this season, he is expected to dictate play from midfield for his country. Ireland’s combative pairing of Josh Cullen and Jason Knight will aim to disrupt him with energy and physicality.

Ferguson is likely to spearhead Ireland’s attack, offering flexibility to play as a traditional target man or drop deeper into a creative role. With eight goals in 23 caps, Varga is Hungary’s most reliable finisher and also has fond memories against Irish opposition, having been directly involved in three goals versus Shamrock Rovers during European competition in 2023.

With Ireland keeping hold of their League B status and Hungary slipping down from League A, this contest looks evenly balanced on paper. Ireland’s recent strong home record where even defeats against France and the Netherlands were narrow, gives them the edge. A vibrant Dublin crowd, a confident manager, and the emerging talent of Ferguson could provide the perfect platform for the Boys in Green to make a statement.

SELECTION: Ireland to win @ 2.63 (BetFred)

Combined Odds

A £10 treble on the three selections listed at the odds above could return a profit of almost £170! Remember to shop around for the best prices and always gamble with care.