International Football Betting Tips: Who will come out on top when England face Brazil

The dreaded international break is among us again. Four world powerhouses face off in friendlies, while there are goals expected in Euro playoff semi-finals. Finally, there is a chance for perennial underdogs to qualify for their first ever European Championship.  

Georgia vs Luxembourg 

Date: Thursday March 21

Kick Off: 17:00

The first of six Euro 2024 play-off games on Thursday comes from Tbilisi as Georgia hosts Luxembourg at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena.

Georgia may have finished fourth in the qualification group, but it was a tough one with Willy Sagnol’s side having to face Spain, Scotland, Norway and Cyprus. Five of Georgia’s eight points came at home, with a win over Cyprus their only victory on their travels.

Of their five home games, only Spain left Tbilisi victorious, with Georgia really cementing their home advantage. Their quality was also clear to see when they dominated their Nations League group, gaining 16 points from six games and only conceding three goals. A 0-0 draw against Bulgaria in which Georgia dominated was the only blight on the perfect record. 

Luxembourg continues to surprise Europe with their performances. The country with a population of just 640,000 people finished third in their qualifying group – seven clear of Iceland and eight of Bosnia & Herzegovina. A double over Bosnia in which Luc Holtz side won 0-2 and 4-1 really cemented their third-place finish. 

While Luxembourg are enjoying their greatest ever years led by a golden generation, a Georgia team containing talent such as Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Georges Mikautadze and of course, Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia should have enough to edge a battling Luxembourg side in a low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Georgia to win @ 1.80

Wales vs Finland

Date: Thursday 21st March

Kick Off: 19:45

Wales host Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium, with the winner facing either Poland or Estonia. 

The hosts came third in their group – four points behind Croatia and five off Turkey, with Rob Page’s side only losing two of their eight qualifying games. Rumours have begun to mount that Page could lose his job if Wales fail to qualify, so expect to see an energetic and fiery Wales side in front of a passionate home crowd.

Of their eight qualification games, the Dragons saw both teams to score landing in five, with the exceptions being the two victories over Latvia and the defeat at Turkey, meaning Wales scored in seven of their eight games and all four at home. 

Despite finishing bottom of a tough Nations League group containing Netherlands, Belgium and Poland, Page’s side scored in 5/6 games, with a strong Wojciech Szczesny performance preventing a clean sweep.

Finland also came third in their group, finishing four points off Slovenia and Denmark in a fascinating group that saw just one draw overall. Markku Kanerva’s side scored 18 and conceded 10 in their 10 games.

Of their five away games, Finland scored in four, only failing to score past a Jan Oblak inspired Slovenia. The Owls also scored in five of their six Nations Leagues games.

With two sides who have shown they are capable of scoring, both teams to score looks a chunky price in the Welsh capital. 

Prediction: Both Teams To Score @ 2.28

Greece vs Kazakhstan

Date: Thursday 21st March

Kick Off: 19:45

Almost 20 years on since Greece shocked the continent to win Euro 2004, they host perennial underdogs Kazakhstan in a huge clash in Athens, with Georgia or Luxembourg awaiting in the play-off final.

Greece showed grit and tenacity to finish third in their qualifying group behind European powerhouses Netherlands and France. 

Even against the famous duo the Greeks put up a fight, losing 1-0 and 3-0 to Netherlands, as well as holding France to a 2-2 draw after losing 1-0 in Paris.

As always, the Nations League is a perfect barometer to measure a team’s ability and their success in topping League C shows how good Greece are. Poyet’s side topped the group with five wins from six with only two goals conceded and four clean sheets. 

Kazakhstan makes the long journey to Athens hoping to qualify for their first ever European Championships. Magomed Adiev’s side were courageous in qualifying for the playoffs, finishing just four points off table toppers Denmark, despite finishing fourth.  

Of their four defeats, only Denmark (3-1) beat the Kazak’s by more than one goal, with The Hawks very difficult to break down and excellent in transition. This was the case as they topped their Nations League group, with their sole defeat coming in a dead rubber at Azerbaijan. 

Kazakhstan are heavy underdogs, being priced at 12.00 to cause a huge upset. While winning away at an in-form Greek side may be a task too far for Magomed Adiev’s side, there does appear to be value in the Asian Handicap – a spread that has won 16 times out of their last eighteen competitive games. An added caveat is that Greece have only won by a two-goal margin in six of their last seventeen competitive games – two of these against lowly Gibraltar.  

Prediction: Kazakhstan +1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.72

England vs Brazil

Date: Saturday 23rd March

Kick Off: 19:00

In the last international break before the squad for the Euros are announced, England face two tough tests in Belgium and Saturday’s opponents Brazil.

Gareth Southgate has a strong squad at his disposal. Jarrad Branthwaite and Anthony Gordon earn a call-up for the first time, while Gomez returns to the squad for the first time in four years. With only four games to go until the Euros and a sold-out Wembley crowd, expect Southgate to go strong.

The Three Lions will be looking to build on their strong home record, winning their last five games in front of their own fans. They also have an impeccable record in friendlies, winning their last 12. 

They face arguably their toughest friendly for years as they host a Brazil side ranked fifth in the world. However, this is not the Seleçāo Canarinha side of old. It is one that is without a win in four, losing their last three. 

It looks set to be a much-changed Brazil side, with injuries to Casemiro, Ederson, Neymar, Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos. Due to the absence of Allison and Ederson, Brazil are looking light in the goalkeeping department.

It is a much rotated, experimental Brazil side and one that England will be believing they can and should beat.

Prediction: England Win @ 1.91

France vs Germany

Date: Saturday 23rd March

Kick-off: 20:00

Defeated World Cup finalists, France host Germany in the first of two home friendlies. 

Didier Deschamps has opted for tried and tested with his squad, with the only major exclusion that of Kingsley Coman who is side-lined with injury. 

Germany are going through a transition period, with fans expecting a sharp turnaround in fortunes after a disappointing group stage exit at the World Cup. Die Mannschaft are struggling for form, having drawn to Mexico and lost to Turkey and Austria in their last three.

Clearly frustrated by his side's poor run of form; Julian Nagelsmann has turned to some surprise inclusions. Bayern Munich youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic and Hoffenheim forward Max Beier have received their first call up, alongside Stuttgart trio Deniz Undav, Waldemar Anton and Max Mittelstadt. 

Nagelsman is still experimenting with his squad and will see games against Netherlands and France as the perfect opportunity to assess where his side is before the Euros. 

France goes into the tournament as the second favourites– priced slightly larger than England. With a manager who is entering his 12th year in charge as well as a cohesive squad, they should comfortably beat an experimental Germany. 

Prediction: France win @ 1.91

Recommended Bets:

Back Georgia to beat Luxembourg @ 1.80
Back Both Teams To Score in Wales vs Finland @ 2.28
Back Kazakhstan +1.5 Asian Handicap vs Greece @ 1.72
Back England to beat Brazil @ 1.91
Back France to beat Germany @ 1.91