International Football Tipsheet: Who will have the perfect preparation for Euro 2024?

The Euros are just around the corner and preparations are ramping up. With Real Madrid crowned the continental champions of domestic football, focus has immediately shifted to international football and we have five tips for the upcoming friendlies. 

England vs Bosnia 

Kick-off: 19:45 Monday, Channel 4

England host Bosnia in the penultimate match before Euro 2024 begins. Kieran Trippier is set to captain the side at St James’ Park in a back four also featuring Lewis Dunk and Marc Guehi. 

With only one international goal (that freekick against Croatia), one Premier League goal this term and only 12 goals in a 15 season long club career the 7.00 about England’s captain scoring does look short. But what a time it would be to score his second international goal; as skipper, in front of his own fans. 

Bosnia will not be playing in Germany this summer after they lost in their play-off match with Ukraine. 

Prediction: Kieran Trippier to score anytime @ 7.00

Switzerland vs Estonia 

Kick-off: 19:15 Tuesday

The synopsis on Switzerland is they are good against the better nations and poor against the lower ranked ones. 

In qualification, none of the sides they were pegged against were higher than 46th (Romania) yet the Swiss still managed to draw five of their 10 games. 

On Wednesday they take on Estonia, a side ranked 123rd in the world. Although there is nothing riding on the clash, it might not be as straightforward for Switzerland as it should be which is why siding with a lack of goals appeals. The Swiss have only netted three goals in their last five games and conceded just as few. 

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.50

Republic of Ireland vs Hungary

Kick-off: 19:45 Tuesday, Premier Sports 1

The Republic of Ireland have only won two of their last 10 games, each of which come against Gibraltar. For context, Gibraltar finished Euro qualification without scoring a single goal and a goal difference of -41. 

Hungary, on the other hand, haven’t lost any of their last 10, winning seven of those. 

Although the match is in Dublin, the hosts have nothing to play for whilst Hungary, on the other hand, are in the final few days of their preparation for Germany. 

Prediction: Hungary win @ 2.68

Italy vs Turkey

Kick-off: 20:00 Tuesday, Premier Sports 2

Luciano Spalletti is having some issues with the Italian national team. They laboured over the line to qualify for Euro 2024 raising questions over the managers suitability. Does his high-octane style suit international football? 

In eight qualification games, the Italians only kept clean sheets in their two games against Malta and the 0-0 draw with Ukraine shipping nine goals in the other five games. Although they had defensive issues, they did not have problems at the other end of the pitch netting 16 times. 

I expect more teething issues in the dead rubber against Turkey so goals are worth a look. 

Prediction: BTTS & Over 2.5 @ 2.22

Slovakia vs San Marino 

Kick-off: 17:00 Wednesday

Slovakia are 1.01 to beat San Marino as I write. They are the lowest ranked footballing nation at 210th. Both teams to score is 4.40 but over 2.5 goals is 1.27 and over 3.5 is odds on. 

So Slovakia are clearly expected to win and score at least three goals so why is one of their most clinical frontmen 1.90 to score anytime? 

Lucas Haraslin scored three goals in five starts in qualifying giving him a goals per 90 of 0.65 and domestically this term he has netted 12 times in 22 starts. If he does get the nod on Wednesday, his price to score looks huge. 

Prediction: Lukas Haraslin Anytime Goalscorer @ 1.90

Recommended Bets

Back Kieran Trippier to score anytime @ 7.00
Back Under 2.5 goals Switzerland vs Estonia @ 2.50
Back Hungary Win @ 2.68
Back BTTS & Over 2.5 in Italy vs Turkey @ 2.22
Back Lukas Haraslin Anytime Goalscorer @ 1.90