Saturday's European Qualifier tips: England to win and keep a clean sheet and Belgium to see off Azerbaiijan

England’s European Championship qualifiers have been a breeze so far, with the Three Lions having seen off every team that they’ve faced.

This weekend they face the potentially tough prospect of tackling Ukraine, a nation that have started commendably in Group C given the circumstances in their home country, and are currently in second place behind Gareth Southgate’s side.

Elsewhere on Saturday we see Groups F and I in action as well, and we’ve picked out a game from each of them to take a closer look at.

Azerbaijan v Belgium

Kick off: 2pm Saturday

It’s a bit of a mismatch in this one as the Belgians look to try and go top of their group by beating an Azerbaijani outfit that has already seen their goal difference plummet for -8 after just three matches.

In Romelu Lukaku the visitors have the joint-highest scorer in the competition up to now with six goals in three games, and it’d be a brave person that went against him adding to that tally in Baku.

Milli komanda are at 7.6 to even hold on for a draw on home turf, and at 18 for a shock win, but with the visitors having scored 3+ three times on the road already in 2023 it wouldn’t be a massive shock to see them do so again when facing a side that’s conceded 10 in their last three.

Prediction: Belgium to win and over 2.5 goals @ 1.73

Ukraine v England

Kick off: 5pm Saturday

The Three Lions have roared in their attempt to secure a spot in Germany next year, scoring 15 goals and conceding just once in their four games so far, and their 100% record has seen them already go six points clear at the top of Group C.

Harry Kane is flying with five goals already, and there’s a very good reason that the English are favourites at 1.43 as they go up against a Ukrainian side that – while unbeaten – have conceded five goals in their last three.

Serhiy Rebrov’s side needed a penalty to overcome Malta last time out, though you have to feel for them as the ongoing conflict with Russia means that they’ve been robbed of home advantage – this one will be played in Poland.

Prediction: England to win and both teams to score – no @ 2.3

Romania v Israel

Kick off: 7.45pm Saturday

It’s second v third in Group I this weekend as the Romanians and Israel look to give their chances of reaching the Euros a big boost at the Arena Națională in Bucharest – home advantage sees Tricolorii as favourites (2.04), but not by too much.

Unbeaten Switzerland lead the pack, and are expected to beat Kosovo, so in all likelihood these two are going to be battling it out for second place.

Edward Iordănescu’s side are in fine form of late with three clean sheets from their last five and earning a very credible 2-2 draw against the Swiss last time out, while the Israelis haven’t kept a clean sheet since beating the Faroe Islands 4-0 over two years ago. They have, though, scored in all but one of their last 12 games.

Prediction:

Romania to win and both teams to score – yes @ 4.6

Recommended Bets

Belgium to win by over 2.5 goals @ 1.73
England to win and both teams to score - no @ 2.3
Romania to win and both teams to score - yes @ 4.6