European Qualifiers Tips: French out to maintain 100% record and Northern Ireland look to get back on track

The international break is upon us, and in Europe it’s time for the qualifiers for the continent’s most prestigious tournament to continue.

We’re only a few games into the group stages of qualifying, but only a handful of nations have maintained a 100% success rate so far – one of them being Didier Deschamps’ French side.

It’s too early for anyone to have secured their spot in Germany, but plenty of teams could take a big step towards that end goal if they get favourable results before matchday six comes to a close this month.

France v Republic of Ireland

Kick off: 7.45pm Thursday

Considering that they’ve won every game so far in qualifying and are yet to concede a goal it’s no surprise that the French (1.23) are heavy favourites going into this one.

It was a tight affair last time as Les Bleus secured a 1-0 win in Dublin, but you’d expect a much more dominant affair at the Parc des Princes – especially with Kylian Mbappé in the sort of form that he’s in. After scoring nine goals in his last seven for club and country he’s at 1.62 as anytime goalscorer.

 Ireland, meanwhile, will be without the hugely exciting Evan Ferguson due to a knee injury, a blow that makes the task even more daunting.

Prediction:

Winner and both teams to score – no @ 1.84

Czech Republic v Albania

Kick off: 7.45pm Thursday

 It’s first v second in Group E as the Czechs play host to Sylvinho’s Albania, and victory for either would act as a significant step forward in their quest for qualification.

Jaroslav Šilhavý’s side have had a solid 2023 so far with three wins in five games, and have only been defeated once on home soil in the past three years. The Albanians may have picked up good wins against Moldova and the Faroe Islands, but there’s a reason they’re at 7.6 to get a win in Prague.

Worth noting that there have been 3+ goals in all of the Czechs’ last five home matches.

Prediction:

Czech Republic / over 2.5 goals @ 2.98

Serbia v Hungary

Kick off: 7.45pm Thursday 

They may not have a 100% record, but both the Serbians and Hungarians go into this fixture having avoided loss in all three of their matches so far. The latter are yet to concede a goal.

The hosts – at 1.81 – are favourites at Stadion Rajko Mitić, and with Aleksandar Mitrović, Dušan Vlahović and Luka Jović to call upon up top they’re not short in the goalscorer department.

Serbia are unbeaten in five and have lost only once at home since 2021 got underway, while Hungary’s four-game run without defeat on the road includes impressive wins over both England and Germany.

Prediction:

Serbia win @ 1.81

Slovenia v Northern Ireland

Kick off: 7.45pm Thursday

It’s been a tough year for the Green and White Army, who’s only victory since last September came against lowly San Marino in March of this year – that was also the last time they scored a goal.

Slovenia, though, have lost just one of their last 10 games and held Denmark to a 1-1 draw in their last European qualifier in June. They’ve only been involved in two 0-0 stalemates since the start of 2021, so the stats suggest that there will be at least a goal or two in this one.

With Jan Oblak between the sticks the Irish are certainly going to have a job on their hands, and to even win either of the halves you can get them at 2.68.

Prediction:

Slovenia to keep a clean sheet @ 2.14

Recommended Bets

France to win and keep a clean sheet - 1.84
Czech Republic to win and over 2.5 goals - 2.98
Serbia to win @ 1.81
Slovenia to keep a clean sheet @ 2.14