So good old UEFA in their quest for cash have decided to spread the qualifying campaign match days for Euro 2016 over 3 days rather than the standard 1 as previously and now we have football on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to look forward to this “weekend”. Luckily for Bo, I have booked Monday off in preparation for Sunday’s celebrations when we become the new world champions thanks to our success in Dortmund... Finding winning bets for each of the 3 days is going to be very difficult indeed and it might be better to stretch any bets over the course of 2 of the 3 days rather than aiming for winners every day and that will be my intention for the upcoming games. Sunday’s action in Germany we have already covered but there are 7 other matches to consider in Groups D, F and I. GROUP D
Firstly in Group D, I expect Poland to get the 3 points away to Gibraltar but I will not be touching them at silly 1/10 odds on as Gibraltar remains a complete mystery and given that they got a draw with Slovakia in their very first international match last year, it would seem the bookies have underestimated them somewhat. Prices are not yet available on other markets but I would be interested in backing the home side (not actually at home but playing in Portugal) at plus 3 goals. I will wait to see the prices but I don’t expect a mauling for our cousins on the south of Spain. Ireland face a much sterner test as they travel to Georgia and as such they are priced up at 13/10 to get a vital 3 points against a team who give little away at home and this one should be a low scoring affair. My heart of course is hoping for a draw and that could well be the end result for Ireland who have let me down in the past on multiple occasions and I would be more than happy to see them drop some points here. While they do look stronger under Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane, I certainly could not back them confidently and I think the best bet could be under 2.5 goals at ½ with a 0.0 draw a possibility against a very well organised and defensive opponent. And of course Scotland are going to top the group on Sunday night by winning in Germany. You heard it first at bobreaksthebookies! Group D – Best Selections Gibraltar plus 3 goals to beat Poland – price not available – probably evens Georgia v Ireland – Under 2.5 goals – ½ Germany v Scotland – BTTS – 11/10 Scotland plus 2 goals to beat Germany – 7/5 Scotland to beat Germany – 16/1 Group F This could well be one of the tightest and toughest sections to call with no big shakes. Greece, Romania, Hungary, Finland, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands make up the group and all 6 teams (yes even the Faroes) harbour ambitions of finishing in the top 3 at the least. Hungary host Northern Ireland in the early kick off and again this will be a tough away day for the Irish side that always struggle for goals, especially on the road but are more than capable of holding their own when the occasion suits them as evidenced in some fine results against Portugal last year. The Hungarians are an improving side but at odds of only 4/9 are un-backable although I do expect them to edge a close encounter. Finland should win against a poor Faroes team although again the odds of 1/5 seem far too short for my liking against a team that while poor, are rarely anybodies whipping boys these days. Finland are improving and should win but I would never back Finland to win any game of football at 1/5 odds on the road. The other game in the group sees Greece take on Romania under the stewardship of new boss Claudio Ranieri although there will be few Greeks there to welcome him as the tie will be played behind closed doors after the Greeks were punished for previous crowd disturbances. The Greeks do have a terrific home record and ordinarily would be well tipped to win (and with a clean sheet usually to boot) at even money odds but with no support and a new manager this could be a tricky one for the Greeks and again is worth avoiding. Under 2.5 goals would be my best selection here and is priced at ½ Group F – Best selections Greece v Romania – Under 2.5 goals – 1/2 Group I Just 2 games to consider in Group I on Sunday as Portugal host Albania and Armenia return to Copenhagen, scene of their famous 4.0 thrashing of Denmark little over a year ago. Portugal who performed so poorly at the World Cup should take the points but with Ronaldo’s fitness still a doubt it would be unwise to back the Portuguese in this one without seeing the teamnews against an Albanian outfit who can prove tricky opponents on their day however if Ronaldo plays I fancy them to get things going Portugal are too short at ¼ but if Ronaldo is fit are worth considering at 8/11 at -1 on the handicap. Likewise too in Denmark where the Danes are as short as 4/9 to beat a team who as I mentioned earlier humbled them 4.0 only a year ago. Yes the Danes did exact some revenge in the return tie winning 1.0 but again, I hate to be boring but this is another match where I see very limited appeal in the betting stakes. Overall it is a very tough Sunday and with UEFA splitting all the fixtures up over 3 days it is not ideal for trying to pick winning bets. I will of course be focusing on the Scotland game and it would seem much of Europe will be watching the game, easily the pick of the bunch on Sunday. I will post a preview on Monday for the forthcoming action but for Sunday, here are my best selections. Group I – Best Selection Portugal to beat Albania -1 Here is the fixtures for Sunday in the EURO 2016 Qualifying along with my score predictions. 7 September 18:00 Sunday Group D Georgia 1 v 1 Republic of Ireland 7 September 20:45 Sunday Group D Germany 1 v 2 Scotland (stop laughing) 7 September 20:45 Sunday Group D Gibraltar 0 v 2 Poland 7 September 18:00 Sunday Group F Hungary 2 v 0 Northern Ireland 7 September 20:45 Sunday Group F Faroe Islands 1 v 3 Finland 7 September 20:45 Sunday Group F Greece 1 v 1 Romania 7 September 18:00 Sunday Group I Denmark 2 v 0 Armenia 7 September 20:45 Sunday Group I Portugal 3 v 1 Albania Comments are closed.
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