Our writer previews a few selected 2018 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, which get underway on Friday the 6th of October 2017.
The international break is here and we’ve picked out some of the eye-catching European World Cup Qualifiers taking place this weekend.
Friday 6 October
Spain 1/16 | Draw 10/1 | Albania 35/1 (20:45)
Group G leaders Spain will take on Albania at the Estadio Jose Rico Perez. Julen Lopetegui’s side are overwhelming favourites to win this matchup. La Roja are three points above second-placed Italy with seven wins and a draw from eight matches played. They’ve scored 32 goals (Alvaro Morata, David Silva and Diego Costa the top scorers with five each) and have conceded just three.
Albania are third in the group on 13 points and need maximum points if they are to keep their slim hopes alive. The Red and Blacks were beaten 2-0 at home by Spain a year ago and Lopetegui’s side are tipped to win. For more value, take La Roja on the Half-time/Full-time win at 3/10.
Italy 1/16 | Draw 19/2 | Macedonia 38/1 (20:45)
Italy are strong favourites to see off Macedonia in Torino on Friday night. Gian Piero Ventura’s men are second in Group G, three points behind leaders Spain. The Azzurri have won six of their eight qualifiers, losing once – 3-0 against La Roja at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Italians have found the net 19 times with Ciro Immobile’s tally of six goals the highest in the group.
Macedonia have lost five of their eight qualifiers, winning just twice. However, both those wins came in back-to-back victories away from home against Liechtenstein and Israel. Italy beat Macedonia 3-2 on their turf 12 months ago and I’m backing the Azzurri to Win & Both Teams to Score at 47/20.
Saturday 7 October
Sweden 1/20 | Draw 16/1 | Luxembourg 21/1 (18:00)
Sweden will look to move a step closer to qualification when they host Luxembourg on Saturday. Janne Andersson’s side are second in Group A, only a point behind leaders France and three above third-placed Netherlands.
The Swedes have won five of their eight matches and are the group’s top scorers, netting 18 goals. They suffered two defeats against France and Bulgaria, but they recorded a 1-0 win away to Luxembourg. The Red Lions are fifth in the standings, having lost five of their eight matches, winning just once. With little value on offer for the home win, take Over 2.5 Goals at 2/9.
Bosnia & Herzegovina 7/4 | Draw 47/20 | Belgium 31/20 (18:00)
Belgium travel to face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday. The Red Devils have already claimed top spot of Group H with eight points ahead of the Dragons who sit in second position, with two games still to play.
Roberto Martinez’s side are undefeated in their qualifiers, winning seven of their eight matches, scoring 35 goals – 10 coming from in-form Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku. Belgium recorded an emphatic 4-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brussels a year ago and the Red Devils are tipped to come away with all three points.
Bulgaria 11/1 | Draw 11/2 | France 2/9 (20:45)
Group A leaders France travel to Sofia to take on Bulgaria on Saturday. Didier Deschamps’ men will be desperate to come away with maximum points as they’re only a point above second-placed Sweden, who are expected to see off Luxembourg. Les Bleus have won five of their eight qualifiers, including a 4-1 triumph over Bulgaria in Paris.
The Lions have won all four of their home games, beating Luxembourg, Belarus, Netherlands and Sweden. It might not be straightforward for Les Bleus, but they should have enough quality to secure maximum points. If you’re looking for value, take France to Win & Both Teams to Score at 17/10.
Belarus 11/1 | Draw 47/10 | Netherlands 1/4 (20:45)
Netherlands take on Belarus at the Borisov Arena on Saturday. Dick Advocaat’s side are third in Group A, four points adrift of leaders France and three behind second-placed Sweden. The Flying Dutchmen have won four of their last five matches, including friendly wins over Morocco and Ivory Coast.
However, Advocaat’s side have suffered back-to-back defeats on their travels in the group. A 2-0 loss to Bulgaria followed with a heavy 4-0 thumping against France. Belarus have lost five of their eight qualifiers, winning just once. I fancy Netherlands to win this match, but I’m going for Over 2.5 Goals for more value at 13/20.
Switzerland 3/10 | Draw 17/4 | Hungary 10/1 (20:45)
Group B leaders Switzerland will play Hungary at Basel’s St Jakob-Park stadium on Saturday. Vladimir Petkovic’s side have been excellent, winning all eight of their qualifiers, scoring 18 goals while conceding just three.
Hungary are third in the standings with no chance of finishing higher than their current position. The Magical Magyars have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions, failing to score in each of those defeats. Switzerland recorded a 3-2 victory over Hungary in Budapest 12 months ago, and are tipped to oust their opponents once again. Back the Swiss to Win To Nil at 8/10.
Sunday 8 October
Poland 4/10 | Draw 15/4 | Montenegro 13/2 (18:00)
After their trip to Armenia on Thursday, Poland host Montenegro in a crucial matchup on Sunday. Adam Nawalka’s side are top of the Group E standings at the time of writing, three points above the Brave Falcons. The Eagles have won six of their eight qualifiers, losing once – 4-0 away to Denmark. They scored 18 goals – 12 coming from Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski – but they shipped 11, underlining their defensive frailties.
Montenegro have won their last three qualifiers, beating Armenia, Kazakhstan and Romania. Stevan Jovetic is second behind Lewandowski on the top scorer charts, bagging seven goals. In March this year, Poland won 2-1 in Montenegro and they should come out on top once again. If you’re looking for more value, back the Poles to Win & Both Teams to Score.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 5/1
Spain HT-FT Win 3/10
Belgium Win 31/20
Switzerland Win To Nil 8/10
