*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
There’s a lengthy list of things I hate, admittedly. The Tories are the primary one, but after that – the idea that an ice cream cone needs a flake; the idea that you’d give money during a mass collection and the fact that passports take months to arrive at your door when you renew them.
But nothing, and I mean nothing is worse than an international break, especially during the offseason when you’re trying to cleanse yourself from the disappointment that you’ve experienced in club football. However, the one positive of this is Thursdays are now digestible again.
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I can tolerate a chippy tea on a Thursday but if you peak at your dinner, it’s a slippery slope to Friday. But now? Hours upon hours of entertainment courtesy of random Ryanair destinations hosting potentially important games without pre-defined permutations.
And if anything, this is a distraction from all the WhatsApp groups I’ve been in defending Stephen Kenny for the last 14 months. Yes, indeed.
Let’s forget about absolutely everything on the domestic front now and just feel grateful for the gift that is random midweek fixtures in a competition nobody quite understands a few years in. Still – we’ll not say no to a few quid, will we?
*An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Kosovo v Northern Ireland – Kosovo to Win
TV: Premier Sports 1
This the only fixture on this list where I can truthfully say I’m not sure which of the two countries I’d rather be in. Northern Ireland’s footballing history is easily defined by David Healy scoring occasional big goal and then being incredibly hard to break down under Michael O’Neill.
And while a narrow defeat to Greece thus far is their overlapping formline, it’s abundantly clear that Kosovo are able to score goals, while a dependence on Shayne Lavery is not going to spark Northern Ireland into life any time soon. Kosovo to Win is the pick.
Norway v Slovenia – Norway to Win
TV: Premier Extra
Not that I’d be one for avoiding how a world class striker can cover over serious cracks (cough, Robbie Keane) but Norway appear revitalised under the inevitability that is Erling Haaland and I’d be hard stuck to ever not back them to beat a team they should now.
When you take into account that Slovenia’s opening two games have seen them ship six times, it feels ominous that they will fall hard on the sword in Oslo. I’ll go with Erling Haaland, sorry, Norway to Win.
Portugal v Czech Republic – Portugal to Win
TV: BoxNation
While Spain are still trying to figure out a way to balance generational midfield talent and being clinical in front of goal, their showings can’t be considered too foolproof in terms of form-reading. So while a draw in Seville reads well for Portugal and a point in Prague reads even better for the Czechs, I’d be quick to just side with the team with home advantage and the better squad.
It’s not a price play, but the transit from an energy-sapping showing at home to Spain to flying into Lisbon should be too much to a thin squad. Portugal to win here.
Switzerland v Spain – Spain to Win
TV: Premier Sports 2
A fine example of FIFA rankings being a big pile of steaming nonsense – Switzerland are 14th in the world. While Spain are very much in-flux, I can’t walk past a bite at this price against a team who’ve just shipped four to Portugal.
They’re just not capable of properly integrating Breel Embolo and until they find that formula, they’re going to be goal-shy. It’s Spain to Win next.
Sweden v Serbia – Sweden to Win
TV: Premier Extra
I’m looking for awkward logistical issues here, and Serbia flying out of Belgrade to play a well-rested Swedish outfit on Thursday night seems a real issue in my mind, especially as they’ve to go to Slovenia straight away after this. Back the comfort in the sandwich – my new favourite UEFA Nations League tagline.
Between Dejan Kulusevski, Anthony Elanga and Alexander Isak, there’s enough in this emerging unit to spring shocks in major tournaments. They won’t need to be near their best here and the price is beautiful on Sweden to Win.
Thursday’s football tips
Kosovo v Northern Ireland – Kosovo to Win
Norway v Slovenia – Norway to Win
Portugal v Czech Republic – Portugal to Win
Switzerland v Spain – Spain to Win
Sweden v Serbia – Sweden to Win
*An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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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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