It’s getting to the stage where we are learning the teams that will compete at Euro 2020. These are my tips for the qualifiers on Saturday and Sunday. You can bet on all of the qualification matches here.
Azerbaijan 0 v 1 Wales – Saturday 16 November – Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Wales Win (1.50)
It’s been a poor qualifying campaign for Azerbaijan. They have only taken one point from their six matches so far, leaving them bottom of Group E with five defeats to their name. Visitors Wales inflicted one of those when they beat them 2-1 in September. Manager Ryan Giggs can call upon Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey again, which is a huge boost given that his side need at least a point to stand a chance of direct qualification. Even though they have drawn their last two qualifiers, I’m still backing the Welsh to win here.
Russia 1 v 2 Belgium – Saturday 16 November – Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Over 2.5 Goals (1.70)
These teams have found qualification easy so far. Russia have scored 27 goals so far and have won seven of their eight games. The only game they failed to win was against Belgium, who top the group with a 100% record to date. They’ve scored 30 times so far and have conceded just once, which was in that 3-1 victory over Russia. Looking at their records, I expect a high-scoring game here, especially since the last meeting in Russia ended in a 3-3 draw in 2017. I think that Belgium will extend their winning run, though.
Northern Ireland 1 v 2 Netherlands – Saturday 16 November – Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Both Teams to Score (2.00)
Given that they have to beat both the Netherlands and Germany, it’s fair to say that it will be difficult for Northern Ireland to directly qualifying for next year’s tournament. Their qualification campaign started well until they faced those two teams, losing against both. The Netherlands are top of Group C with five wins in six games. They left it late to beat Northern Ireland last month, though, as they were still behind in the 80th minute. I think they will win the away tie but I wouldn’t be surprised if both teams score. It’s been a winning bet in four out of six games for the visitors, including that 3-1 victory over the hosts.
Kosovo 1 v 2 England – Sunday 17 November – Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Over 2.5 Goals (1.75)
Kosovo are currently on an 11-game unbeaten run on home soil, a streak that stretches back over two years. More impressive still, nine of those 11 games have ended in a win. Now they welcome Group A leaders England, with whom they met in September in what turned out to be one of the most exciting qualifiers so far. Kosovo took the lead inside a minute in that game, only for England to lead 5-1 at half time. The game ended 5-3. England will not take any risks this time, though, and they are in good form away from home. They have scored 32 goals in their last ten away qualifiers. I see an Away Win.
Albania 1 v 3 France – Sunday 17 November – Euro 2020 Qualifiers – France Win with 1:0 Handicap (1.75)
This is Albania’s second home game in the space of three days, which gives them a slight advantage. However, they cannot directly qualify for the Euros, so they’ll be playing for third place at this point. Visitors France have not found qualification as straightforward as they would have liked. That said, they have won three of their four away qualifiers so far. More importantly, two of those three wins have been by a margin of two or more goals. They beat Albania 4-1 at home in September and I’m backing another comfortable win.