World Cup
2025-10-11 - Norway vs Israel
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: World Cup Qualifier
Saturday 11th October 2025 - Kick Off 5pm
This game is live on TV
Norway
The only focus for the Norwegian team is ending an extremely long wait for a place at the Finals of a major international tournament, although this match will be played under a political cloud. Everyone will speak about sports and politics not mixing, but that has looked unlikely with this fixture coming up, although the team have to try and focus on picking up the maximum points.
Twenty-five years have passed since Norway played at Euro 2000, while they have not reached the World Cup Finals since a talented squad were beaten in the Second Round in 1998. Five wins have been secured in this Group, which means Norway are 6 points clear of Italy, and two more wins should be enough to secure a direct spot in the World Cup Finals hosted in North America next season.
Norway have finally earned Promotion into League A of the Nations League and that should have a positive knock on effect for the team as they try and Qualify for Euro 2028. They have won 8 matches in a row in all competitions, while Norway have won 7 in a row at home in all competitions.
Martin Odegaard is going to be missing, but Erling Haaland is going to be available to lead the line.
Israel
There were a couple of reports that suggested that UEFA were thinking about removing Israel from the remaining World Cup Qualifiers as the war in the Middle East intensified. Nothing has materialised before the October international break and that leaves the players clear to try and continue the push into the top two of this World Cup Qualifying Group.
They have the same number of points as Italy with both nations trailing Norway by 6 points, although Israel have played a game more than the Italians and have two tough away Qualifiers to play over the next few days. A draw here would be considered a decent return for Israel, but the three wins in this Group have been against Estonia (twice) and Moldova.
Israel had won 3 in a row, but they were beaten in an epic Qualifier last month when going 4-5 to Italy having scored twice in the final three minutes to equalise, yet still find time to concede another goal. They were Relegated from League A in the last Nations League and Israel were beaten comfortably in away games at Belgium and Italy, although they did earn a draw in France.
Head to Head
These nations met in Hungary earlier in this Group in a fixture 'hosted' by Israel, but it was Norway who came through with a 2-4 win.
This is the first time Norway are hosting Israel in a competitive fixture.
Prediction
There is a growing tension around this World Cup Qualifier and it is very difficult to separate the political issues and the growing contempt between the heads of the Football Associations of both Norway and Israel.
Even some of the players have commented on the pressures they are feeling and it is going to be a test for the teams to focus on the football.
Norway are chasing a spot in the World Cup Finals for the first time since 1998 and another win would push them all the closer to achieving that target.
They have been scoring goals for fun in the Qualifying Group and Norway should have enough to win this game with a bit of comfort. Martin Odegaard may be missing, but Erling Haaland is available and he has not been having any issues in finding the back of the net.
Israel do have 9 points, but all have been earned against the weakest two teams in the Group.
In two games against Norway and Italy, Israel have conceded 9 goals and they were well beaten in Italy and Belgium in the last Nations League Group.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Norway 3-1 Israel
