The highlight of Friday night’s football action comes courtesy of the Euro 2016 qualifiers as the road to France comes towards its conclusion.
With various countries still fighting for a place at next summer’s tournament, it should be another interesting night of action. However, we don’t think there will be goals for every team and our BTTS treble is a mixture of both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ selections.
Let’s hope these games can help us claim the perfect start to the weekend. Good luck!
England V Estonia. 7:45PM
Roy Hodgson’s England have already secured their place at next summer’s tournament thanks to a run of eight straight victories in Group E. The Three Lions should be guaranteed another three points as they welcome Estonia to Wembley and we expect them to do it via a shutout.
Estonia have actually enjoyed a pretty decent campaign, registering 10 points so far. However, Magnus Pehrsson’s have only scored four goals in their eight matches. Two of those came against minnows San Marino.
The visitors will aim to frustrate England, but they are unlikely to see much possession and shouldn’t cause the hosts many problems in the attacking third.
Hodgson might take this opportunity to tinker with his team and get a look at some of the fringe players, but the home side should enjoy an easy night at the office. After conceding just three goals in eight games, it should be another clean sheet for Joe Hart.
BTTS NO @ 4/9
Montenegro V Austria. 7:45PM
Group G leaders Austria have been one of the surprise packages of the campaign, sealing their qualification with an incredible return of 22 points from a possible 24. However, they should expect a difficult test as they make the trip to Montenegro, where the hosts will be desperate to keep their slim hopes of reaching the play-offs alive.
Marcelo Koller’s men have notched an impressive 16 goals so far, and will be confident about continuing their 100% scoring record here. However, their automatic qualification could see the visitors take their foot off the gas, which could give the hosts a great chance of finding the target too.
Branko Brnovic’s men have scored in three of their four home games, and will be hoping to see their firepower of Stevan Jovetic and Mirko Vucinic for inspiration. While we do think they’ll find the target, we can’t see them keeping a shutout.
Montenegro have scored eight and conceded eight so far. If that average of one goal at each end continues, we certainly won’t complain.
BTTS Yes @ 19/17
Slovakia V Belarus. 7:45PM
In Group C, second placed Slovakia are already on the verge of qualifying and could seal their place in France by winning their final home game of the campaign. However, the hosts shouldn’t expect to have things all their own way against a spirited Belarus.
Jan Kozak’s home side have enjoyed some memorable nights at the Stadion Tehelne pole, including an unforgettable win over Spain just over one year ago. However, Belarus have netted in three of their four away games so far and will be equally confident about finding the target in Bratislava.
The reverse fixture ended in a 3-1 win for Slovakia, and we wouldn’t be overly surprised if a similar outcome develops here. Stars like Marek Hamsik and Miroslav Stoch should give the home side an advantage, but Belarus have shown that they know how to score.
It could be a huge night for the Slovakians and we expect them to prevail. However, they might need at least two goals to do it. Fortunately for their fans, they are more than capable of getting them.
BTTS Yes @ 23/18
A £10 treble pays £63.40
