Our 15/8 fancy Portugal landed the inaugural UEFA Nations League on Sunday after beating Netherlands 1-0 — on a day England overcame more VAR disappointment to win a third-place playoff on penalties. The international action continues this week with another round of Euro 2020 qualifying matches.
Running total: -£54.10
The Banker
A new era for Scottish football began at the weekend as Steve Clarke got his tenure off to a positive start as they beat Cyprus 2-1 on Saturday. Clarke’s side face a true test of their credentials against Belgium on Tuesday. The Red Devils ran out easy 3-0 winners over Kazakhstan last time out and such was their dominance in that game they really could and perhaps should have doubled that tally. With Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings Belgium away is such a difficult assignment for any international side these days. Indeed, you have to go all the way back to March 2001 for the last time Scotland even scored against Belgium, and the last time the teams met (2018) Belgium ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. This looks a tough ask for the Scots and it may pay to back Belgium to cover a two-goal handicap at Heysel.
Selection: £5 on Belgium (-2) to beat Scotland at 11/10 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
France are expected to blast past lowly Andorra on Tuesday, and Kylian Mbappe looks worth a punt at 13/5 to score first. The powerful 20-year-old was part of a French side that suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Turkey in Euro 2020 qualification on Saturday, as Les Bleus failed to register a single shot on target. However, they look nailed on to bounce back against Andorra and Mbappe, currently being pursued by Real Madrid, looks the most likely candidate to set them on their way.
Selection: £5 on Mbappe to score first at 13/5 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Hungary look a big price at 19/10 to beat Wales on Tuesday. Adam Szalai is their main source of goals and the Hoffenheim striker has notched 20 times in 55 caps for his country. Wales didn’t look great defensively against Croatia at the weekend and could find this vibrant young Hungary side a bit too slick. Elsewhere Poland, who have qualified for the last three European Championships, should be too strong for Israel on home soil and they look good things at 11/20 for the win on Monday evening. Finally add in Italy at 2/5 to see off Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Italians have taken nine points from three Group J matches so far and with star man Miralem Pjanic suspended Bosnia could struggle. The treble pays over 5/1 with bet365.
Selection: £3 on the treble at 5.29/1 with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
Republic of Ireland edged past Gibraltar 1-0 in their first Euro 2020 qualifier in what was in truth a stinker of a game, with Jeff Hendrick eventually sparing Ireland’s blushing after hitting the winner. It should be a different story in Dublin and with 166 places separating these nations in the FIFA rankings a 4-0 win for the Irish could be the way to bet.
Selection: £1 on Republic of Ireland to win 4-0 at 5/1 with bet365.