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| We take a look at the best bets across UEFA’s weekend of qualifying action for the FIFA World Cup. |
The World Cup qualifiers will take place this weekend, with some exciting fixtures to look forward to and plenty of value on the betting front. Let’s take a look at the best bets across UEFA’s weekend of qualifying action.
Friday 9 June
17/4 Sweden | Draw 51/20 | France 13/20 (20:45)
Group A leaders France take on in-form Sweden at the Friends Arena on Friday. Didier Deschamps’ side are unbeaten in group play and three points ahead of the Blagult. A goalless draw in Belarus followed with wins over Bulgaria, Netherlands, Sweden and Luxembourg. Having beaten the Swedes 2-1 in November last year, Les Bleus will be confident going into this match. Janne Andersson’s side are on a three-game winning streak. A thumping 6-0 win over Slovakia in a friendly followed with a 4-0 thrashing of Belarus in Group A, before edging Portugal 3-2 in a friendly last time out. I’m going for Both Teams to Score at 11/10.
Saturday 10 June
6/1 Kazakhstan | 29/10 | Denmark 5/10 (18:00)
Denmark are strong favourites to see off minnows Kazakhstan on Saturday. The Red-White thrashed the Kazakhs 4-1 in Copenhagen last year. Kazakhstan are bottom of Group E, picking up just two points from five matches. Denmark are third in their qualifying group, six points behind leaders Poland but level on points with second-placed Montenegro. It’s a game that the Danes really need to win to keep their World Cup hopes alive. The away win is tipped confidently.
17/4 Scotland | 49/20 | England 7/10 (18:00)
England will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record in Group F when they take on Scotland in Glasgow. Gordon Strachan’s side are fourth in the qualifying group, two points behind Slovakia in the play-off position, and need at least a point against Gareth Southgate’s side. The Three Lions are unbeaten in group play with four wins from five matches, scoring eight goals without conceding. I’m backing England to edge a tight and cagey affair.
31/20 Norway | 2/1 | Czech Republic 37/20 (20:45)
Czech Republic must beat strugglers Norway to keep their World Cup hopes alive. With Germany all but certain to top Group C, the Czechs will be hoping to finish behind them. Czech Republic are two points behind Northern Ireland, who are in the play-off position, and a point above Azerbaijan. The Czechs won their last two matches in the group, beating Norway 2-1 and San Marino 6-0. Norway have lost four of their five matches, including two on the bounce. Czech Republic are tipped to come away with maximum points.
5/10 Poland | 28/10 | Romania 57/10 (20:45)
Group E leaders Poland are strong favourites against Romania on Saturday. The Eagles are unbeaten in group play with four wins from five matches, while the Romanians have managed just one win. Romania have failed to find the net in four matches which is huge concern going into this game. Poland have been lethal in front of goal, scoring 12 goals with eight coming from Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker bagged a brace in the Poles’ 3-0 win over Romania last year. Get on the Poland win and include in all multiples!
17/4 Lithuania | 24/10 | Slovakia 7/10 (20:45)
Slovakia will look to maintain their play-off position when they face minnows Lithuania. The Slovaks have won their last three matches in Group F, scoring 10 goals while conceding just once. Lithuania are on a three-match losing streak, shipping nine goals while failing to find the net. Slovakia thrashed Lithuania 4-0 in November last year and are tipped to win comfortably.
Sunday 11 June
29/20 Republic of Ireland | 2/1 | Austria 2/1 (18:00)
Republic of Ireland will host Austria in a Group D encounter on Sunday. Martin O’Neill’s side are unbeaten through five qualifiers, but trail Serbia atop the group via goal differential. The Green Army have won three matches, including a 1-0 win away to Austria last year. Austria are unbeaten in three matches, defeating Moldova 2-0 in between friendly draws against Slovakia and Finland. Before seeing off Moldova, they were winless in three qualifiers, suffering back-to-back defeats. Ireland are tipped to oust their opponents.
7/10 Serbia | 24/10 | Wales 17/4 (20:45)
Wales face a stern test away to Group D leaders Serbia on Sunday with Gareth Bale suspended for the game. Chris Coleman’s side are third in their qualifying group after four consecutive draws, four points behind Serbia. Coleman suffered the lowest point of his managerial career against the Serbs – a 6-1 thrashing in 2012. Serbia are unbeaten in group play with three wins, scoring 12 goals. The hosts are tipped to bag all three points.
12/10 Israel | 21/10 | Albania 5/2 (20:45)
Israel will welcome strugglers Albania to Haifa on Sunday in a Group G encounter. The Israeli side were well beaten 4-1 away to Spain in March, but prior to that, they had won three consecutive matches in the group. They recorded narrow victories against Macedonia and Liechtenstein, before thumping Albania 3-0. However, their hopes of securing a top-two finish are slim, with Spain and Italy (level on 13 points) four points ahead. Albania have lost their last three qualifiers, shipping seven goals without finding the net. Israel are a top bet at 12/10.
28/10 Iceland | 9/4 | Croatia 1/1 (20:45)
Iceland will square off with Croatia on Sunday in a Group I top-of-the-table clash. Croatia lead the group with 13 points after five matches, three points ahead of Iceland. Ante Cacic’s side come into this game off a 2-1 friendly win against Mexico last month. In Group I, Croatia are on a four-match winning streak, scoring 10 goals without conceding. The Icelandic team have won both of their qualifiers on home soil, beating Finland 3-2 and Turkey 2-0. Although Croatia have been solid defensively, I’m backing Iceland to get on the scoresheet. Both Teams to Score is the way to go at even money.
TREBLE @ 46/10
Denmark Win 5/10
Poland Win 11/20
Rep. of Ireland Win 29/20
Written by Chadley Nagel
