European Qualifier Betting Tips: Netherlands backed in huge game as Ukraine target England’s top spot
By Joe Crann
Latest Football Odds16 October 2023
The current international break is almost over as fans of club football keep their eyes locked on the weekend, but there are some big games happening before then.
A total of 28 teams will lock horns in the latest round of qualifiers for the 2024 European Championships this, and many results could go a long way in helping to decide the fate of those involved.
We’ve picked out four games – two from Tuesday and two from Wednesday – that are worth keeping an eye on.
Kick off: 7.45pm Monday
Qualifiers certainly haven’t gone to plan for Stephen Kenny’s side so far, with five defeats in six games and just three points to their name. But their Euro 2024 dream isn’t over just yet, with the nation still able to qualify via the play-offs.
This week they face a Gibraltarian side that have only won twice since the start of 2021, so even with Ireland’s form being far from sparkling they’re still huge outsiders at 55 to win. The visitors to win and over 3.5 goals, meanwhile, is only 1.99.
A 2-0 defeat to Greece last week meant it was one goal in three games for the Irish, but young Evan Ferguson (1.66 anytime goalscorer) will be licking his lips against a team that has conceded 22 goals without reply in their last seven games.
Prediction: Two to three goals scored @ 2.28
Kick off: 7.45pm Monday
The Dutch may be the favourites for this one (1.99 to win), but Greece will go into this game full of confidence after scoring seven in their last two games and moving up to second place in Group B.
A home victory would take the Greeks six points clear of their closest challengers, and with Ronald Koeman’s side having a game in hand it would give their hopes of qualifying a massive boost.
Gus Poyet’s Piratiko have lost just one of their last 18 on home soil, and have only failed to score in four of those games. A Netherlands clean sheet here is at 2.38 – and it’s not often they fail to score themselves.
Prediction: Both teams to score @ 2.02
Kick off: 7.45pm Tuesday
While England take on Italy in a huge game at the top of Group C, Ukraine will continue their mission to complete the unlikely task of catching up with the Three Lions at the top of the table.
They face Malta – a team they only managed to beat 1-0 at home – on the back of a 2-0 win over North Macedonia, and will still take heart from running Italy so close last month. Fancy an away win with goals? The Ukrainians are at 1.99 to win with over 2.5 goals scored.
All of Ukraine’s last eight games have been scored by different people, and Malta’s only competitive clean sheets since the start of 2022 came against San Marino. The away side will back themselves.
Prediction: Ukraine to win and over 2.5 goals @ 1.99
Kick off: 7.45pm Tuesday
The Northern Irish have nothing left to play for but pride as they head into their final three qualifying games, their six points after seven matches not being enough to keep them in the running.
For Slovenia, though, it’s all to play for, and victory would see them put one foot into Germany 2024. The visitors are at 2.3 to win, and with three group victories on the spin – including a 4-2 victory over Green and White Army – they’ll be confident.
Michael O'Neill’s side have only won four games since the start of 2022, and with just three clean sheets in that period it’s no huge surprise that you can get the Slovenians to win either half at 1.7.
Prediction: Slovenia to win @ 2.3
Back two to three goals scored in Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland @ 2.28
Back BTTS in Greece v Netherlands @ 2.02
Back Ukraine to win and over 2.5 goals @ 1.99
Back Slovenia to win against Northern Ireland @ 2.3