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| There are some exciting friendlies lined up as preparation for the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers |
With the best of club football all over, it’s never been a better time for international football to return. There are some exciting friendlies lined up as preparation for the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, with top odds on offer fromHollywoodbets.
Friday 2 June
3/10 France | Draw 15/4 | Paraguay 9/1 (21:00)
France will host Paraguay in a friendly match on Friday, with Monaco star Kylian Mbappe named in Didier Deschamps’ strong 26-man roster. In March, Les Bleus recorded a 3-1 victory over Luxembourg to stay top of World Cup qualifying Group A, but lost 2-0 in a friendly against Spain three days later. Paraguay are eighth in the 10-team South America zone World Cup qualifying standings. They’ve lost three of their last four matches and Deschamps’ side should prove too strong here.
Sunday 4 June
17/20 USA | 23/10 | Venezuela 7/2 (04:00)
USA are unbeaten from their four matches played this year, scoring seven goals while conceding once. A goalless friendly draw against Serbia followed with wins against Jamaica (friendly) and Honduras (WCQ), before drawing in Panama (WCQ) last time out. Their opponents, Venezuela, are bottom of the 10-team South America zone World Cup qualifying standings. They’ve lost 10 of their 14 qualifiers, winning just once. USA are a top bet for the weekend at 17/20.
17/10 Republic of Ireland | 9/4 | Uruguay 31/20 (19:00)
Republic of Ireland are winless in their two matches played this year, drawing goalless with 10-man Wales in a World Cup qualifier, before losing 1-0 in a friendly against Iceland. Uruguay are in terrible form, losing their previous three World Cup qualifiers against Chile, Brazil and Peru. To make matters worse for Oscar Tabarez’s side, star striker Luis Suarez is a major doubt with a hamstring injury. Anything can happen in friendlies and I’m going for Ireland on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/20.
8/10 Netherlands | 26/10 | Ivory Coast 32/10 (19:30)
Netherlands have lost both of their matches played this year, suffering a 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat against Bulgaria in Sofia and 2-1 friendly loss against Italy in Amsterdam. They’ve won just once in their last nine matches on home soil, suffering seven defeats. Ivory Coast recorded an impressive 2-0 friendly win against Russia in Krasnodar. Three days later, their friendly against Senegal was abandoned after 88 minutes due to dozens of fans invading the field. The score stood at 1-1 when the match was abandoned. My money’s on Ivory Coast on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 8/10.
Monday 5 June
5/10 Belgium | 32/10 | Czech Republic 47/10 (20:45)
Belgium will welcome Czech Republic to Brussels on Monday, with Radja Nainggolan named in Roberto Martinez’s 27-man squad. The Roma midfielder had missed the last four matches due to a disagreement with the former Everton boss. After thrashing Estonia 8-1, the Red Devils have drawn back-to-back games against Greece (World Cup qualifier) and Russia (friendly). Czech Republic come into this tie off emphatic wins over minnows Lithuania and San Marino. However, they should struggle against Martinez’s star-studded team. Belgium are a banker bet at 5/10.
Tuesday 6 June
9/2 Denmark | 28/10 | Germany 6/10 (20:45)
Denmark will face a stern test when they entertain world champions Germany on Tuesday. The Danes are unbeaten in their last three matches, comfortably beating Kazakhstan (WCQ) and drawing back-to-back games away to Czech Republic (friendly) and Romania (WCQ). Die Mannschaft are unbeaten in their last eight matches with seven wins, including two on the spin. With the world class talent at Joachim Loew’s disposal, back the Germans to come out on top.
Wednesday 7 June
6/10 Spain | 11/4 | Colombia 9/2 (21:30)
Spain take on Colombia in a cracking friendly contest on Wednesday night, with both teams on a two-match winning streak. Julen Lopetegui’s side are unbeaten in their last eight matches, winning six times, drawing away to Italy (WCQ) and England (friendly). Colombia have won their last two World Cup qualifiers, beating Bolivia 1-0 and Ecuador 2-0. Prior to that, they suffered back-to-back losses against Argentina and Brazil, showing that they struggle against world class opposition. Back Lopetegui’s side to reign victorious at 6/10.
TREBLE @ 34/10
USA Win 17/20
Belgium Win 5/10
Spain Win 6/10
Written by Chadley Nagel
