Sunday's European Qualifier tips: Netherlands and Serbia to come out on top

With the halfway point having been reached in the qualifiers for the 2024 European Championships there is a feeling that the groups are starting to take shape – but as we know things can change very quickly.

Plenty of games are taking place this weekend around the continent as nations look to try and take one step closer to booking their spot in Germany, and Sunday sees some crucial games take centre stage that could offer a major boost to those involved.

As always we’ve selected a game from each group to keep an eye on, and offered up some tips.

Finland v Denmark

Kick off: 5pm Sunday

Denmark may be the favourites (at 1.76) in this Group H clash, but it’s the Finns that go into the tie top of the group with five matches played having seen off Kazakhstan with a 1-0 victory earlier in the week while the Danes battered San Marino 4-0.

This Scandinavian battle more often than not goes the way of the team in red, with Denmark having won 39 of the 60 meetings, and since 1967 this weekend’s hosts have won just two of their 24 meetings.

Their most recent duel ended 3-1 to Kasper Hjulmand’s outfit in Copenhagen, and you wouldn’t be surprised to see Manchester United newboy, Rasmus Højlund, on the scoresheet again after his hattrick in that fixture. He was the last person to score past Huuhkajat, who have kept four clean sheets since then.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.78

Republic of Ireland v Netherlands

Kick off: 7.45pm Sunday

With the French breezing their way through Group B, the Netherlands know that first place is probably already out of their grasp, and with Greece breathing down the back of their necks for second spot there is some pressure as they head to Dublin.

The Greeks are expected to see off Gibraltar this weekend, so Oranje need to hold up their end of the bargain in order to guarantee that they head into matchday six ahead of their competitors.

A comfortable 3-0 win earlier in the week got them back into winning ways after defeats to Croatia and Italy in the Nations League, while Ireland’s three defeats in their last four – coupled with Evan Ferguson’s absence sees them at 5.6 to get a win.

Prediction: Netherlands to win and over 1.5 goals @ 1.88

Albania v Poland

Kick off: 7.45pm Sunday

This big game in sees the Albanians play host to Poland as second takes on third in one of the most tightly-contested qualifying groups, and with the Czech Republic not in action any winner in this tie would go top.

Both sides have blown hot and cold so far in qualifying, but it was the Poles who secured three points in the reverse fixture as Karol Świderski secured a 1-0 win. The two sides have kept just five clean sheets in their last 14 games between them, and only once have these two played out a 0-0 draw – that was in 1950.

Albania, meanwhile, haven’t managed to avoid defeat in any of their eight meetings with Biało-czerwoni since 1985.

Prediction: Both teams to score – no @ 1.75

Lithuania v Serbia

Kick off: 7.45pm Sunday

A quickfire first half double from Hungary saw Serbia fall three points behind their opponents earlier in the week, and their trip to Lithuania offers a chance to try and correct that – even if it may only be temporarily.

Defeat in Belgrade was the Serbians’ first loss of 2023, and with Sunday’s hosts having only won once – against San Marino – since the start of 2021 they’re heavy favourites (1.28) to get three points on the board in Kaunas.

Prediction: Serbia to win and over 2.5 goals @ 1.74

Recommended bets:

Finland v Denmark under 2.5 goals @ 1.78
Netherlands to win and over 1.5 goals @ 1.88
Albania v Poland, both teams to score - no @ 1.75
Serbia to win and over 2.5 goals @ 1.74