* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
We’ve got five one-sided games to navigate on Thursday night as some real minnows are in action against bigger boys gearing up for Euro 2020. It’s tricky from a betting perspective, but I think I’ve found some decent value in four of them for a nice acca.
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First up it’s the Republic of Ireland heading to Andorra looking to avoid another shock and then Turkey host Moldova in a game that should be straightforward for them. Later Northern Ireland make the trip east to Ukraine and Belgium are heavy odds on to beat Greece in our last game. But where’s the smart money going?
5pm: Andorra v Republic of Ireland – Ireland (-1)
TV: RTE 2 and Sky Sports Premier League
It’s been an absolute nightmare for Stephen Kenny so far with Ireland but the Boys in Green are massive favourites against Andorra here. Both sides are in abysmal form with neither winning a single game of their 2020/21 campaign.
That’s a combined 21 games without victory with just six draws between them in that run. However, after that disastrous 1-0 loss at home to Luxembourg, I’m backing Ireland to get back on the horse and reset after delivering some home truths. It can’t get any worse, surely?
Despite Ireland’s woeful form in 2020/21, they’re huge favourites and will surely beat the world’s 158th-ranked team with ease. With value a bit tricky to find in this game, I’m plumping for Ireland (-1) on the alternative handicap.
6pm: Turkey v Moldova – Turkey (-2)
TV: Sky Sports Red Button
Next up is an even bigger chasm in terms of world rankings as Turkey take on Moldova. It’s the 28th-best side in the world vs the 177th. For extra context, only Lichtenstein, Gibraltar and San Marino are ranked lower in the UEFA standings than our away side here.
Turkey are huge favourites but I think there’s real value in backing them at (-2) in the handicap market. It’s a great price and you can go (-1) if you’re feeling less brave. However, Moldova’s defence is appalling and they’ve shipped 12 goals in their last two games.
Turkey have gone off the boil a little recently, compared to their stonking early-season form, but it’s fair to expect them to hammer their opponents here in a nice pre-Euro 2020 confidence builder. The hosts have beaten Russia, The Netherlands and Norway this season, scoring at least three in each game. I have little doubt they’ll be able to repeat that trick here without conceding as they pass the Turkey (-2) handicap with ease.
7pm: Ukraine v Northern Ireland – The Draw
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
This is another clash between two sides in poor form. Ukraine have won just twice this season, both in the Nations League, and have drawn their last four on the bounce, 1-1 every time.
Northern Ireland finally won for the first time under Ian Baraclough on Sunday night thanks to a 3-0 win over Malta. That was their first win of the season but, as we know, the Green and White Army are a difficult team to beat. Not as difficult as under Michael O’Neill, but they’re still a tough opponent on their day and they never get spanked.
With that win at the weekend, I think we could see a return to the Northern Ireland of a few years ago and, with Ukraine’s recent penchant for a Draw, that’s where the value lies on Thursday night. The hosts have shared the spoils with lesser sides than Baraclough’s boys in recent times (Kazakhstan and Bahrain) and, at the prices, that’s the way to play in this one.
7.45pm: Belgium v Greece – Both Teams To Score
TV: Sky Sports Red Button
Belgium are one of the favourites to win Euro 2020 and you’d expect them to get the job done here. However, the best bet could be for both teams to net in this game. The Red Devils have an array of attacking talent going forward but the shelf is a little bare at the back.
They’ve conceded in eight of their 11 games this season, including to the likes of the Ivory Coast, Czech Republic, Wales and Iceland twice. That’s hardly a defence that’s going to win a major international tournament.
They have, however, scored in all 11 and racked up eight against Belarus last time they took to the field. A title-winning attack?
Greece, for their part, have little hope of keeping Belgium out, but they have scored in eight of their 11 as well including against Spain and Austria, though they haven’t really played anyone else of note. I think it will be worth siding with Both Teams to Score in this meeting of two sides who have seen this click a combined 14 times in 22 games this term.
Tips for Thursday’s football
5pm: Andorra v Republic of Ireland – Ireland (-1)
6pm: Turkey v Moldova – Turkey (-2)
7pm: Ukraine v Northern Ireland – The Draw
7.45pm: Belgium v Greece – Both Teams To Score
These selections in an acca-insured four fold will give you odds of around 25/1 with Paddy Power.
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* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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