International Friendlies Betting Tips: Wales win, Japan joy and Germany and Ghana for success

While World Cup and European Championship qualifiers play out elsewhere, the often maligned list of international friendlies has offered up some interesting ties.

North American nations are in the thick of it, too, with four CONCACAF teams having already qualified for the Nations League quarterfinals – and a little bit closer to home Wales are looking to build on their return to winning ways against Latvia last month.

Here’s our pick of the upcoming clashes:

Wales v Gibraltar

Kick off: 7:45pm Wednesday

The first thing to note is that Gibraltar not only haven’t won for six games, but they also haven’t even scored - the second thing is that they’ve conceded 18 goals in those matches in what has been a horror start to 2023.

All but one of those opponents - Malta - put 3+ past them, so for Rob Page’s Welsh outfit he’ll be confident of getting a win - he’s not the only one, with the hosts at 1.05 for victory. If you think the visitors can nab a goal then you can go against a Wales clean sheet at 3.35

The Dragons haven’t scored more than two in a game for almost two years, but with Nathan Broadhead flying for Ipswich Town they’ve got a good chance of changing that in this one.

Prediction: Goal range of 4-6 goals @ 1.71

Japan v Canada

Kick off: 11:35am Friday

2023 has proven to be a good year for the Japanese so far, winning four of their six games this calendar year including four on the bounce since June that has seen them score a whopping 18 goals. Last month they stuck four past Germany to hammer the final nail into Hansi Flick’s coffin with Die Mannschaft.

The Canadians have had a much more mixed bag, which is why they’re at 6 to come out on top, however they have scored in all but four of their last 17 games and do have players capable of finding a way through a Samurai Blue defence that has hardly been watertight.

If you think this one has got goals in as well, you can get over 2.5 @ 2.02.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 2

USA v Germany

Kick off: 8:00pm Saturday

 Another new era begins for the Germans as Julian Nagelsmann’s reign gets underway in the US of A, and he’ll be desperate to get off to a winning start in Connecticut.

It’s an eighth friendly in a row for the visitors given that they’re hosting the next Euros, and they’re at 1.95 to give their new manager an opening game boost against a side that have managed to avoid defeat over 90 minutes in all of their last 13 games.

Germany have kept just three clean sheets since the start of 2022 in what has been a tough couple of years, so both teams to score (1.69) could be worth a look.

Prediction: Germany to win and both teams to score @ 3.6

Mexico v Ghana

Kick off: 1:30am Sunday

 Chris Hughton’s Black Stars are America-bound for a couple of friendlies this month, and take on the Mexicans in Charlotte as preparation for next month’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

It’s a tight one to call (2 for the hosts, 1.84 for the visitors), and both have had a bit of joy in front of goal of late with the two sides grabbing five each in the last international break. Mohammed Kudus scored one of them, and after his first Premier League goal at the weekend he’ll be full of confidence for this clash.

Meanwhile, Fulham’s Raul Jimenez may not be off the mark for the Cottagers yet, but with four goals in his last three games for El Tri he’s definitely one to watch.

Prediction: Ghana to win @ 1.84

Recommended Bets

Back Goal Range 4-6 in Wales v Gibraltar @ 1.71
Back BTTS in Japan v Canada @ 2
Back Germany to beat USA and BTTS @ 3.6
Back Ghana to beat Mexico @ 1.84