The International break is upon us and that means a veritable feast (?) of footballing action from across Europe over the next 6 days. We have 7 matches to enjoy on Thursday evening with Scotland's trip to Israel the obvious highlight for this always optimistic Scotland fan.
It's now over 20 years since our great footballing nation last took part in a major finals and while the disappointment of the previous 10 campaigns are hard to shake off, the optimist inside of me believes that the time has surely now come for Scotland to return to the top table of International football. Having been drawn with Israel and Albania, the Scots have every chance of finishing top of their 3 team section to ensure at least a play-off position for the 2020 Euro finals. With 3 points already in the bag, a win in Isreal this evening could leave the Scots in the remarkable position of being just 3 wins from qualifying for the big tournament in 2 years time. Ok, so maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves but considering our inability to even reach play-off in recent years, you will forgive this writer for getting a little bit excited by the prospect of Scotland being assured a play-off before they've even begun their qualifying campaign. So, back to reality and the Scots should be confident as they travel to Haifa to take on an Israeli side that have lost 9 of their last 13 home fixtures including each of the last 4. Indeed, the Israelis have only won 4 of their last 16 at home and just 1 of their 10 most recent matches (against Liechtenstein) and given that form, I really fancy Alex McLeish's men to go back to Glasgow with another 3 points in the bag, The Scots were as big as 2/1 yesterday although that has shrunk now to 17/10 and when you look at that israeli form, there is certainly nothing to be scared about from a Scottish perspective, as evidenced in the significant fall in prices. Of course, Scotland are hardly a nation you can confidently expect to win any football match but they have lost just 4 of their last 20 competitive fixtures and having beaten Albania comfortably in last month's opener, they should be confident of claiming 3 points against a side that lost their opener in Albania. I'm backing the Scots to win @17/10 but if you want to play it safer, DNB is 4/5 (was 1/1 yesterday) while Scotland not to lose has also shrunk from 1/2 to a best priced 2/5. While a draw wouldn't be a bad result for the visitors, you would have to expect that the Scots greater levels of quality should ensure an attack minded approach and not one that is happy to settle for a point. Steven Naismith will lead the Scottish attack in the absence of the sulky Leigh Griffiths and the former Rangers hitman can be backed to score the opener at attractive 17/2 odds having bagged twice (don't care what UEFA says) in the win over Albania and he may be joined in attack by the limited Oli Mcburnie...Please come back Leigh, all is forgiven. Beyond the Scots, Poland vrs Portugal looks to be the most attractive fixture on paper although with Ronaldo missing for the visitors following allegations of rape in a Las Vegas nightclub in 2009, the Portuguese will struggle to emerge with anything more than a point from the Lewandwoski led Poland. Russia host Sweden and will have many backers @11/10 following their succesful World Cup while i fancy an improving Romanian outfit to beat an uninspiring Lithuania in Vilnius. Elsewhere, Montenegro host Serbia in a contest that is sure to be spicy with this the first meeting of the two former Yugoslav republics. Here then are your best bets for Thursday with more to follow for Friday and Saturday's fixtures. UEFA Nations League ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19:45 Poland vs Portugal - Prediction 1.1 Best Bets Draw @11/5 - 1.5 stars ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20:45 Russia vs Sweden - Prediction 1.0 Best Bets Russia to win @11/10 - 2 stars ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19:45 Israel vs Scotland - Prediction 0.2 Best Bets Scotland DNB @1/1 - 3.5 stars Scotland to win @2/1 - 2.5 stars Scotland to score 2 or more @9/4 - 1.5 stars ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19:45 Lithuania vs Romania - Prediction 0.2 Best Bets Romania to win @4/6 - 3 stars ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19:45 Montenegro vs Serbia - Prediction 1.1 Best Bets BTTS @11/10 - 2 stars Draw @13/5 - 1.5 stars ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19:45 Faroe Islands vs Azerbaijan - Prediction 1.1 Best Bets Faroes or draw @8/15 - 2.5 stars ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19:45 Kosovo vs Malta - Prediction 2.0 Best Bets Kosovo -1 to win @8/11 - 2.5 stars Thursday Best Bets Scotland to beat Israel DNB @1/1 - NAP Lithuania vs Romania - Romania to win @4/6 - 3 stars Scotland to beat Israel @17/10 - NB NB Selections Kosovo vs Malta - Kosovo -1 to win @8/11 - 2.5 stars Faroe Islands vs Azerbaijan - Faroes or draw @8/15 - 2.5 stars Montenegro vs Serbia - BTTS @11/10 - 2 stars Russia vs Sweden - Russia to win @11/10 - 2 stars Long Shots Poland vs Portugal - Draw @11/5 - 1.5 stars Montenegro vs Serbia - Draw @13/5 - 1.5 stars Scotland to score 2 or more @9/4 - 1.5 stars Comments are closed.
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