It's another international break! But it's not all doom and gloom, with some pretty tasty qualifiers coming your way from Europe this week!
Friday 8 October
Czech Republic 7/10 | Draw 43/20 | Wales 4/1 (20:45)
These two sides both come into the fixture off the back of a draw last time out. The Czechs aren’t fazed by ball possession but do look to be clinical in the final third. They have 0.83 goals scored per game average from their previous 10 fixtures and I think they could ask questions of this Welsh outfit.
Wales are a largely inconsistent side at the moment. Last time out they bossed possession and only allowed Estonia into their box six times over the 90 minutes and yet they could only manage 0-0 draw (managing just six shots on target themselves).
Back the home side to win.
Saturday 9 October
Finland 47/20 | Draw 18/10 | Ukraine 12/10 (18:00)
Ukraine will surely be brimming with confidence after their 1-1 draw with world champions France. Finland also played out to a 2-2 draw against Bosnia – a result which would have dented their hopes of qualification considering the current climate in Group D.
It’ll be a tough game, that is for certain. I wouldn’t be surprised to Ukraine just edge it…but for the brave punter: Finland on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/20 could offer some mid-month value. I’m not going to read too much into Ukraine’s result against France, since their previous three games prior against Switzerland, Poland and Germany were horrible. If they are flat on Saturday, Finland can take advantage.
Andorra 58/1 | Draw 15/1 | England 1/50 (20:45)
English fans, and punters alike, will be pleased to know that England are playing away from home on Saturday! Wow, they have struggled at home this year. Nevertheless, Andorra cannot score for jam, and England really can take the game away from you if you allow them.
Now at the risk of overcomplicating this fixture, England to win 0:4, 0:5 or 0:6 at 21/20 is my pick.
Poland N/A | Draw 17/1 | San Marino 33/1 (20:45)
Poland at home have been almost unplayable. Winning ten in a row is certainly incredible. The story is less spectacular when you are looking at the visitors though, losing ten from their last eighteen trips.
There is nothing to suggest Poland don’t cruise to victory, but the odds don’t allow for such a straightforward call. Instead, I would suggest looking at under 6.5 in the ‘additional totals’ market. It’s priced up at a less than modest 9/20 but could give that extra kick every good multiple needs. Get on!
Switzerland 1/3 | Draw 31/10 | Northern Ireland 8/1 (20:45)
This is a real mismatch if I’m honest, Northern Ireland have secured just a solitary point from the previous thirty-six on offer. Switzerland, by way of contrast, have enjoyed thirty-four points!
However, I wouldn’t get giddy and start assuming it’ll be a festival of goals. The Swiss hate an exciting fixture, but this compact approach has served them duly and I guess if it isn’t broke, why fix it?
Switzerland should win the game, but I’m happy to punt under 2.5 goals at 7/10.
Monday 11 October
Croatia vs Slovakia (20:45)
Croatia still has a seriously talented squad. They are a side who have no regard for their opponent, in that they will want to impose their style of play on anyone they come up against.
My only reservation is their inability to adequately test the keeper. In their previous game against Russia they enjoyed 54% of the possession, spent large parts in the final third and yet only registered two shots on target!
Slovakia, on the other hand, is not a side that deserves your confidence. Winning just once (against Cyprus) in their last five, I can’t see them causing the home side any issues. The home win is a banker.
Slovenia 21/10 | Draw 19/10 | Russia 5/4 (20:45)
Expect a tight affair to play out here. Russia is yet another European nation who blow hot and cold, but they can also turn it on and give anyone a game on their day. Slovenia haven’t shot the lights out in qualifiers yet.
I wouldn’t call them a sure bet, but at 5/4 I’m all over the away win, I just think they have the ability to bully teams into submission. If Slovenia move the ball around the park at a standing pace and look to poke and prod at the Russians it’ll end in tears.
North Macedonia vs Germany (20:45)
Remember the last these sides clashed? Probably one of the – if not the – biggest win for North Macedonia and their football history. That day they played a fully fit German side and absolutely played them off the park in terms of fight, heart and desire.
The Germans have a different look about them this time. However, they will know that going into this game greeted by a hostile and intense Macedonian crowd. Germany has the quality and current confidence to set the record straight – keeping a clean sheet in their previous three, and scoring twelve, is certainly a statement.
But in that you have something North Macedonia can break, back both teams to score.
The Netherlands vs Gibraltar (20:45)
The Netherlands are another side littered with talent. Depth, experience, and a sprinkle of youth may remind Louis van Gaal about his coaching days at club level, but they are everything you want in a national side.
Gibraltar, on the other hand, haven’t won a game since October 2020 and I’m not sure that changes anytime soon. They can’t match the hosts for quality or pace, and I think they’ll be in for the long haul here.
Back the Netherlands to win both halves.
Latvia vs Turkey (20:45)
Not the greatest fixture to close off on, considering both sides have been the whipping boys for those around them. However, I’ve picked the fixture simply because both teams to score could be the ultimate banker.
Turkey have only managed three clean sheets from their previous ten fixtures, whilst Latvia have only managed one in the same timeframe. These statistics won’t really affect the way either play and both will have plenty of chances.
Get on both teams to score, and for the first time (in what feels like forever) my confidence in the bet is born from a severe lack of defensive solidity as opposed to anything else!
