A profitable weekend for the column thanks to England’s thrilling victory over Croatia but it could have been even better if Belgium hadn’t surrendered a 2-0 lead against Switzerland to scupper our 9/1 treble. There’s another busy week of action coming up too with games to follow in the Nations League and FA Cup.
Running total: £-27.46
The Banker
Back in July France proved too good for Uruguay in the World Cup quarterfinals and Les Bleus can be trusted at 1/2 to see off Oscar Tabarez’s team again on Tuesday night. That 2-0 win in Nizhny Novgorod is probably best remembered for Fernando Muslera’s goalkeeping howler and the brilliance of Antoine Griezmann, and while France have been a bit hit and miss since their World Cup triumph, they should see off the South Americans — who have lost their last three – on home soil. Doubling France with Italy to beat the United States, who were genuinely awful against England last week, offers a rock-solid double for punters with bet365 paying over 5/4.
Selection: £6 on France and Italy double at 1.17/1 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
Andre Silva has not scored for six games but the young Portuguese star might be worth backing to notch first against Poland on Tuesday evening. The Sevilla man’s main qualities are his opportunism, agility and coolness in front of goal as he demonstrated so memorably when scoring twice during Sevilla’s stunning 3-0 win over Real Madrid back in September. Portugal will top Group A3 regardless of the result on Tuesday but Silva and Co. will be hoping to sign off with a flourish in front of their own fans.
Selection: £2 on Silva to score first at 15/4 with bet365.
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The Tasty Treble
Neymar and Brazil head to Milton Keynes on Tuesday (seriously) for a friendly against Cameroon and the Selecao are 5/6 to cover a two-goal handicap at Stadium MK. In 34 matches against African countries Brazil have won 33 and lost just one (to Cameroon in the 2003 Confederations Cup). Elsewhere Scotland (3/4) can build on their fabulous 4-0 victory over Albania by beating Israel in Glasgow. Celtic’s James Forrest and Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser were inspired for the Tartan Army against the Albanians and Scotland know a win on Tuesday would see them top Group C1 and bag a Nations League promotion. Add in Italy (9/20) to beat USA for a treble paying over 7/2 with bet365.
Selection: £2 on the treble at 3.65/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Netherlands beat Germany 3-0 in October and after a 2-0 win over world champions France last Friday, they look a big price at 100/30 to win in Gelsenkirchen. Joachim Low’s men had a terrible World Cup and results since Russia have done little to truly inspire confidence. The Dutch look a team on the up under Ronald Koeman and are a tempting price to claim another high profile win.
Selection: £1.50 on Netherlands to win at 100/30 with bet365.
The Wild-Card Tip
Salford won’t fear their FA Cup first-round replay against Shrewsbury on Wednesday after playing so well against the League One side the first time round. After a summer of heavy investment, the Ammies are on a long unbeaten run in the National League and can showcase their quality by seeing off the Shrews at Moor Lane.
Selection: £2 on Salford to win and both teams to score at 9/2 with bet365.
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