Charlie Nicholas' predictions: England too strong for Scotland, Wales to beat Serbia

Charlie Nicholas gives his predictions for the World Cup qualifiers
Charlie Nicholas gives his predictions for the World Cup qualifiers

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers as England renew their rivalry with Scotland.

The Soccer Saturday pundit, who played for Scotland 20 times, fears his side will be the only one from the Home Nations and Republic of Ireland to fail to win in the fourth match day of Qualifiers.

Nicholas does, however, expect Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland to record positive results in their pursuit of a place at the 2018 World Cup.

England v Scotland (Friday, 7.45pm)

Everyone is saying England aren't very good but they are good, they're just not a great side. Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling are the two that concern me the most as a Scot. Sterling is the player who can really open us up with his pace.

Charlie sees Raheem Sterling as a big threat to Scotland
Charlie sees Raheem Sterling as a big threat to Scotland

I don't think a draw does Scotland much good, whereas a win gets us back in the mix. I'd rather get beaten 3-1 than lose 1-0 defending, although it's easy for me to say that.

Gordon Strachan (right) is fighting for his future at Wembley
Gordon Strachan (right) is fighting for his future at Wembley

As underdogs we will fight and scrap but I'd like to see us have an attacking method as well. 

I do expect England to win. I'm a realistic sort of guy and in my mind I expect England to win this by at least two goals.

Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Sterling to score first (45/1 with Sky Bet)

Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan (Friday, 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports 1)

I think this will be an awkward one. Everyone anticipates that they'll win these sort of games comfortably because they did well in the Euros. Results will come their way but they still have to work their socks off.

A win against Azerbaijan would be vital for Michael O
A win against Azerbaijan would be vital for Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland

Kyle Lafferty gets all the credit but Steven Davis is their star player by a mile. He's the one that dominates games and has the energy and craft that makes Northern Ireland tick.

Azerbaijan are awkward and sit in and frustrate successfully, they've recorded three successive clean sheets, but I'm going for Gareth McAuley, whose scoring record is brilliant, to see the hosts get the win.

Charlie predicts: 1-0 and McAuley to score (25/1 with Sky Bet)

N Ireland vs Azerbaijan

November 11, 2016, 7:30pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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Wales v Serbia (Saturday, 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports 1)

It's a big bonus for Wales having Aaron Ramsey back. Anybody could see in the north London derby that his energy levels were great considering his injury problems.

Gareth Bale and Wales host Serbia on Saturday
Gareth Bale and Wales host Serbia on Saturday

Serbia are difficult though. They're a strong physical side that are dangerous on the counter-attack. Aleksandar Kolarov is their danger man going forward for me with his set-pieces.

However, I think that Wales trio of Gareth Bale, who is in great form, Ramsey and Joe Allen, who is also doing well at Stoke, should see them through

Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Ramsey to score first (50/1 with Sky Bet)

Wales vs Serbia

November 12, 2016, 7:15pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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Austria v Republic of Ireland (Saturday, 5pm, live on Sky Sports 1)

This is a tough game, although the thing about Austria is they're lacking a star name and you can frustrate them.

I always feel like Martin O'Neill is an attacking manager that looks for weaknesses. The Republic of Ireland are strong defensively as well with Roy Keane instilling the discipline.

Martin O
Martin O'Neill and the Republic of Ireland go to Austria

A guy who doesn't impress me a lot of the time for his club but is great for his country is James McClean. He is that annoying player that just pops up at the back post and is always there to feed off the scraps.

Wes Hoolahan is the one that has the quality though. He's taken a long time to really be a big part of the Ireland set-up but is delivering on a regular basis now.

Charlie predicts: 0-1 and Hoolahan to score (60/1 with Sky Bet)

Austria vs Rep Ire

November 12, 2016, 4:45pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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