Two weeks without our main domestic action is pretty painful, however we are looking forward to the internationals to make some dough at Goal Galore.
There are teams who are desperate to win at this stage of the competition as they play to seal their fate and as these sides go all out to score, it is a formality that they will also concede. Here are our picks for Friday’s action.
Ukraine v Poland – 7.00pm Friday
Goals Galore odds – 11/10 Betfred
An absolutely vital match for both sides in Group H as first and second place is still up for grabs which also involves England and Montenegro. These four sides are all involved in fixtures against each other on Friday evening that will shape the group and go heavily towards who will be in Brazil next summer.
Poland have to win, a loss or draw isn’t going to be enough no matter what happens in the final round of fixtures, therefore they will be going all out for goals. They have enough match winning players to pull of a shock result here and will looking to Blaszcykowski and Lewandowski to find the back of the net. They are also on a run of games six games without defeat and I cannot see them not coming way with at least a goal.
Ukraine will know that they have to take advantage of any points England may drop at home to Montenegro. If England draw or lose and Ukraine do not get the three points needed to put them top of the group they may live to regret it for many years to come-that is how important this game is. Last time these two met, it was in Poland, Ukraine won 3-1 which would have fulfilled our bet and that scoreline puts Ukraine favourites on Friday.
The result of this game has huge implications on the shape of Group H, and I just cannot see one team scoring with out the other replying.
Croatia v Belgium – 5.00pm Friday
Goals Galore odds – 11/10 Betfred
Second placed Croatia host group leaders Belgium on Friday evening with both sides likely to finish where they currently are in the table. In the reverse fixture in Belgium it finished 1-1 and Croatia will want to go one better at home. These two teams are head and shoulders above the rest of the sides they share the group with and will both want to make a statement by making sure they finish this game on top.
There is still a chance Croatia can finish the group in first place if they’re victorious in their remaining two fixtures and Belgium also slip up in their final match, so there is plenty of incentive for them on Friday night. Their last three fixtures have all fulfilled the both teams to score market and with goal scorers such as Jelavic, Mandzukic and Eduardo you can rely on them to find the back of the net.
Belgium are on everyone’s watch list with their exciting squad of young talent. They have yet to let anyone down, by going unbeaten throughout the qualifiers as they enter game nine and will want to hold on to that record as they look set to qualify as winners of Group Aon Friday night and seal their place in Brazil 2014. You just wouldn’t back them not to score when they have danger men in Kevin Mirallas, Christian Benteke, Kevin de Bruyne, Marouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard…. the list goes on.
Denmark v Italy – 7.15pm Friday
Goals Galore odds – 10/11 Betfred
The most attractive fixture in Group B sees top of the table Italy visit third placed Denmark. The Italians have already qualified as group winners whereas Denmark need a win or their dream of making Brazil may well be over if Bulgaria take the spoils in their clash with Armenia.
Italy have won every match during qualification bar two games which they drew and will look to preserve the unbeaten record in this away tie where they will start as favourites. I have included this fixture in our Goals Galore coupon as their fixtures have seen both teams score in three of their last four away games and I cannot see Italy going 90 minutes here without scoring. Balotelli anyone?
As previously mentioned this has far more riding on it for the home side with Denmark desperate to keep hopes alive by making the play offs and nothing but three points will do. Denmark are not the force of old and many will say they’re a one man team with Christian Eriksen dictating all they do, and this may be true but if the young Spurs playmaker is on top of his game it may be just what Denmark need to pull of a shock result here.
A £10 stake on our above treble will return £84.20 with BetFred
