We take a look at how the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers are likely to pan out.
Matchday five of the Euro 2020 Qualifiers throws up plenty of exciting ties with the matchup between Germany and Netherlands being the main eye-catcher on the menu this weekend. We take a look at 10 of the biggest blockbusters from the 10 qualifying groups, while trying to find the best market in each encounter to make some profitable cash.
Friday 6 September
Germany 19/20
Draw 26/10
Netherlands 49/20
This may be matchday five for most of the countries in Europe, but Netherlands will only participate in their third qualifier this Friday, having already been beaten by Germany, although the Dutch did beat Belarus 4-0 earlier in the campaign. The Germans will head into this fixture with confidence after humbling Netherlands 3-2 in their own backyard in the reverse tie.
Netherlands have arguably the best centre-back pairing in international football with Ballon d’Or candidate Virgil Van Dijk next to Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, while the Germans have one of the most exciting young talents in their attack, spearheaded by Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry. Over 2.5 Goals seems the way to go at 6/10.
Slovakia 28/10
Draw 21/10
Croatia 21/20
Slovakia and Croatia go head-to-head this Friday with the two nations boasting an identical record in Group E qualifiers. With three games played, the pair have both won two and lost one. The hosts have scored five in back-to-back games for the first time ever, while the Croats have been involved in plenty of free-scoring encounters. In the last seven matches featuring the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists, both teams have found the back of the net. At 23/20, Both Teams to Score is certainly the way to go here.
Scotland 37/20
Draw 39/20
Russia 33/20
Scotland will be hoping to make up some ground on Russia when the two sides meet in Glasgow this Friday. The hosts sit three points behind the 2018 World Cup hosts. Scotland have won their last five competitive home matches, while Russia have scored 14 goals without reply in their Euro 2020 qualifiers. In the two meetings between these sides, both games ended in a share of the spoils, while only two goals were scored across both matches. Back Under 2.5 Goals here at 9/20.
Wales 1/4
Draw 39/10
Azerbaijan 11/1
Wales will be strongly fancied when they host Azerbaijan, who are yet to register their first points in Group E. The visitors have lost their last four competitive games, shipping in 14 goals, while Wales have lost consecutive qualifiers for the first time since 2013.
In the six meetings between these nations, Wales have won five, drawing the other, and in those five victories, the Welsh didn’t concede a goal. With Gareth Bale and Daniel James finding their scoring boots for Real Madrid and Manchester United, the Dragons should cruise to victory. For value, take Wales on the (-1) Handicap at 8/10.
Slovenia 5/2
Draw 2/1
Poland 12/10
Slovenia and Poland lock horns in our final Friday night fixture. When we think of the hosts, many associated them with loads of clean sheets, due to their prolific goalkeeper in Jan Oblak, yet it is Poland who are yet to concede in the four qualifiers played, winning all of those encounters.
As brilliant as they’ve been in defence, the Polish have been ruthless in attack and have goalscoring machines Krzysztof Piatek and Robert Lewandowski in their arsenal, with the latter hoping to set a record of 107 caps for his country if he plays. Slovenia have won one of their last 12 competitive games and despite home advantage, Poland are tipped to come out on top.
Saturday 7 September
Kosovo 22/10
Draw 21/10
Czech Republic 13/10
Kosovo and Czech Republic will be meeting for the first time in their history with both nations eager to swing the head-to-head statistics in their favour from the start. The hosts are unbeaten in 14 matches, which is pretty impressive considering they’re a fairly new football nation.
Patrik Schick, who recently joined Leipzig on a season-long loan from AS Roma, has netted three times in as many games in the qualifiers for Czech Republic and you can never back against the 23-year-old forward to find the back of the net again. The Czechs are without a draw in 20 games, but I certainly foresee that trend ending in Kosovo. A stalemate is on the cards here at 21/10.
England 1/14
Draw 8/1
Bulgaria 35/1
Wembley Stadium will draw back its curtains when the Three Lions welcome Bulgaria to England’s most prestigious football ground this Saturday. The hosts sit atop the standings in Group A, despite playing two games less than their opponents. The visitors are winless in their last seven matches, drawing four and losing three, while England have won their last 12 Euro qualifiers.
Gareth Southgate has opted for yet another youthful team, who should put the game to bed early with their eagerness to impress and make their mark in the national team. Put your money on the Home Team Totals market and back Over 2.5 at 6/10.
France 1/10
Draw 7/1
Albania 25/1
France kick-start the late kick-offs on Saturday in what should be a fairly comfortable tie against Albania in Saint-Denis. The world champions have not lost a Euro qualifier at home since 2010. Les Bleus have been dealt with some key injuries in Aymeric Laporte, who finally got a call-up, as well as midfield powerhouses, Paul Pogba, Tanguy Ndombele and N’Golo Kante, while superstar Kylian Mbappe is also out. Still, there’s plenty of quality at Didier Deschamps’ disposal to ease off Albania. I’d fancy France to Score In Both Halves at 6/10.
Turkey 1/25
Draw 10/1
Andorra 52/1
Turkey will be licking their lips when they prepare to take on Andorra in Istanbul this Saturday night. The hosts have been impressive in the qualifiers, winning three of their four ties, including that incredible 2-0 victory over France. Andorra have been dreadful in the qualifiers, losing all four of their encounters, failing to score a single goal. Turkey are expected to Win Both Halves here at 5/10.
Serbia 51/20
Draw 22/10
Portugal 11/10
UEFA Nations League champions, Portugal, close proceedings with an interesting tie in Belgrade to face Serbia. This will be the visitors’ first encounter since being crowned champions. Head coach, Fernando Santos, has named a star-studded team headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and 19-year-old wonderkid Joao Felix.
Serbia also have some quality players in their ranks in the form of Luka Jovic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Tadic and Nemanja Matic. The hosts have been impressive on home soil, and funny enough, the last time they suffered defeat in a qualifier at home was to Portugal way back in 2015. My money is on the visitors here at a profitable 11/10.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Poland Win 12/10
Turkey Win Both Halves 5/10
Portugal Win 11/10
Written by Jesse Nagel for Hollywoodbets.
