I think fantasy football has ruined my football-viewing experience. Honestly.
It’s got to the point where I’m watching Burnley v Brighton on the edge of my seat because I have something at stake in it, that’s tangible and can allow me to get one over on my mates. Unbelievable marketing!
But again, that’s commodification and I should recognise this. International football is where it boils down to pride and commitment.
Gibraltar v Denmark (under 3.5 goals) @ 5/4
The biggest myth the devil ever told the world is that Age Hareide knows what he’s doing. The Danish manager hasn’t a bloody notion and they get by on being industrial rather than impressive. They’re way over their expected goals (xG) tally in this group already because of a host of hilarious defensive errors by the Georgians and the stupidly cock-sure Swiss, in that 3-3 draw in Basel.
Gibraltar are the kind of side you like to have on-side with you to cover handicaps or maintain your under markets, because no matter if they go 2-0 down – they simply won’t attack – and if you’re Denmark, a side who’ve already swung the goal difference differential in your favour, there’s really no need to press the issue.
Eriksen’s also unsettled at Spurs and not fully fit, they’re going to rely on balls into the box and that won’t be working four times.
What if Gibraltar score, you say? There’s more chance of Jacob Rees-Mogg having a second-rate chiropractor.
Israel to beat North Macedonia @ 8/11
You might think North Macedonia’s box score of five scored, seven conceded and four points after four games in Group G is a decent return. And you might be right if you don’t dig a bit deeper.
They’ve yet to face Poland, Israel and Austria away from home. Don’t fancy the chances of a nation whose recent re-branding adds a weird psychological decline in their national price? Hard to blame you.
Israel have studded Austria 4-2 at home and that was the warning the group needed to take them seriously. This, added with the fact that Macedonia (sic) beat them 1-0 in the last World Cup qualifying campaign, should refocus their minds and have them as comfortable winners at a very decent price.
Romania v Spain (-1) @ 13/10
Apart from George Puscas of Reading fame, is there really anything to these Romanians? They might not need to return to Bucharest, they might need to book the whole day off after this hammering, as Spain have scored 11 times on their way to maximum points.
Spain generally don’t win by the odd goal their 2-1 home win against Norway proving the exception to that rule. That was opening day, though – and they’ve hit top gear since then. The Spaniards are also unlikely to come up against someone of Josh King’s level in Romania, nor can they expect to have such a dubious penalty awarded against them this time around.
This -1 on the handicap looks a decent play as the visitors are set to romp home in the group and launch a serious attack on the Finals next Summer.
*Prices correct at time of publishing
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