There are more Euro 2020 qualifiers coming up this week as we head into the second half of the international break.
Without a packed weekend schedule, football betting is forced into unusual times when there’s minimal club football. Matches are spread across Sunday, Monday and Tuesday featuring some of Europe’s best sides and most recognisable players.
Groups A, B, E and F feature in our fourfold. It’s not quite make or break time for these teams, but groups are very tight and a slip up here could leave them a mountain to climb in the remaining few qualifiers.
Below are a few thoughts and tips from the four matches…
Wales vs Croatia
Group E is congested. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Slovakia on Thursday, Wales are in fourth place.
Starter in one of the biggest Premier League wins, Ryan Giggs’ side have a game in hand on the three teams above them, however, and they could go second if they pull off an improbable victory over World Cup finalists Croatia on Sunday night.
Croatia’s form has been patchy since the World Cup, with losses to Tunisia and Hungary and a shock draw with Azerbaijan last month. They have 12 points on the board but could yet miss out if they fail to win here.
They host Slovakia in their final group match. Despite thrashing the Slovakians a few months ago, Luka Modric and co will be hoping to get their Euro 2020 place sewn up this weekend. The reverse fixture finished in a 2-1 win for Zlatko Dalic’s side.
Wales will fancy their chances of getting a goal through Daniel James and Gareth Bale, but the gulf in class elsewhere on the pitch should prove too much. Joe Allen against Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic isn’t a good matchup.
TIP: Croatia to win and both teams to score (21/5)
Bulgaria vs England
After a poor performance in Prague on Friday, England travel to Sofia to face a Bulgaria side that are bottom of Group A. Bulgaria are yet to win a match in qualification and were thrashed 4-0 by England earlier in the group.
A 0-0 draw with Montenegro was frustrating for the Bulgarians – they had 16 shots but managed to get just one on target.
England’s defeat to the Czech Republic was their worst performance and result of the Gareth Southgate era. Harry Kane was frank in his post-match interview – England will be keen to bounce back with an emphatic victory on Monday evening.
Southgate could opt to tweak his side after subpar displays from Michael Keane and Declan Rice on Friday.
England dominated the match at Wembley, with just shy of 70% possession and 17 shots. The front three of Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho should blow Bulgaria away, even if other areas of the team remain flawed.
TIP: England to win by 2 or more goals (7/10)
Ukraine vs Portugal
These two played out a drab 0-0 in March of this year in Lisbon. They meet on Monday night off the back of comfortable victories on Friday – Portugal beat Luxembourg 3-0 while the Ukraine cruised to a 2-0 win over Lithuania.
Ukraine have compiled 16 points thus far, putting them within touching distance of Euro 2020. Portugal are five points behind with a game in hand and are under pressure from Serbia.
Ukraine have been on a great run since Andriy Shevchenko took over as manager, but this will be a tough task against a Portugal side desperate for victory.
The reigning European champions have talent aplenty as Fernando Santos meshes veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe with the next generation, Ruben Neves, Joao Felix and Ruben Dias.
Portugal have found some form since a slow start in the group. Ukraine’s defence has been rock solid throughout (only conceded one goal), but you’ve got to fancy Portugal to snatch a win here. Expect a low-scoring affair, with one Ronaldo goal likely the difference.
TIP: Portugal to win (23/20)
Sweden vs Spain
Spain have an immaculate record in Group F so far. No team has been able to live with the Euro 2012 winners and they are set to cruise into Euro 2020.
Robert Moreno is off to a flying start as manager of La Roja and has a deep squad at his disposal, including the fairytale return of Santi Cazorla.
The post-Ibrahimovic world puts Sweden as a mid-tier European team. Their place in the competition proper is far from confirmed – they need a result here.
Romania, who are only one point behind the Swedes, face Norway and the Faroe Islands in their next two matches. The two sides meet in Bucharest on 15th November, in what will likely be a showdown for the second qualifying berth.
Spain are the team to back here, but 3/5 doesn’t represent great value. The visitors to score in both halves is the best available bet.
TIP: Spain to score in both halves (8/5)
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Petr David Josek / AP Photo*
