European Championship betting preview: Free tips & best bets for Tuesday's Euro 2020 qualifiers
We can expect to see some one-sided games on Tuesday night in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, and Tom Carnduff is backing a trio of goalscorers.
Recommended bets
1pt Sean Maguire to score anytime in Republic of Ireland v Georgia at 9/5
1pt Saul Niguez to score anytime in Malta v Spain at 3/1
1pt Moise Kean to score two or more goals in Italy v Liechtenstein at 3/1
For advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Republic of Ireland v Georgia - 1945 GMT
Ireland didn't look overly impressive in their narrow victory over Gibraltar in their Group D opener.
Mick McCarthy's men managed to grab a 1-0 win in an uneventful contest, despite beating Gibraltar 11-0 on aggregate over their two games in Euro 2016 qualifying.
In typical McCarthy fashion, he wasn't afraid to say what he thought on the game afterwards.
"What a horrible game," he told Sky Sports. "I hated every minute of it playing against a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain. A horrible game but a great three points to start with.
"Nothing of the game disappointed me or surprised me. People expected they were just going to roll over, not a chance. I'm glad to be out of it with three points."
Ireland played Matt Doherty in an unorthodox right wing position, leading many to think that he would grab a goal in that game. With Seamus Coleman behind him, McCarthy explained that it didn't work.
"It didn’t particularly work well, that. He’s been the best attacking wing-back in the Premier League to be quite honest, but there’s probably been more room on the pitch.
"When teams are sitting back, has he got the silky skills to go past people? I’m not sure. He’s more of a passer and a runner. We did have a little bit of joy down that side in the first-half, but I always thought I might have to put Robbie on."
That's why Doherty has now gone back out to a general price of 8/1 for a goal in this game, that's opposed to the 3s you could get for his anytime goalscorer price on Saturday.
Instead, it's worth taking the 9/5 available on a goal for Sean Maguire. The Preston forward has netted three goals since his return from injury, including the winner in their last game against Birmingham.
Georgia did keep clean sheets in away games against Latvia and Kazakhstan in the UEFA Nations League, but they failed to win a single game on the road when attempting to qualify for the last World Cup against tougher opposition.
That should play into Ireland's hands as they make it two from two. Maguire has demonstrated an ability to play in any of the attacking positions and he is capable of grabbing his first goal for his country lining up alongside David McGoldrick.
Best bet: Sean Maguire to score anytime at 9/5
Opta facts
- Republic of Ireland have won eight and drawn one of their nine previous meetings with Georgia in all competitions, with their sole draw coming in the most recent encounter back in September 2017 (1-1).
- Republic of Ireland have won each of their five previous home meetings against Georgia by an aggregate score of 10-1.
- Ireland are looking to win back-to-back matches for the first time since October 2017 (v Moldova and Wales); they had only won one of their 11 matches since then before beating Gibraltar last time out (D5 L5).
- On home soil, Republic of Ireland have failed to score in their last three matches in all competitions – they’ve never gone on a longer scoreless run at home in their history.
- Georgia haven’t lost back-to-back matches since October 2017 when they lost to Wales and Serbia; they were beaten 0-2 by Switzerland in their last outing.
- Georgia haven’t drawn any of their last 12 European Championship qualifying matches, winning three and losing nine since a 1-1 stalemate with Malta in September 2011.
- Ireland haven’t gone four home games without a win in all competitions since May 2008, a run which they followed up with back-to-back wins that included one over Georgia.
- Against Gibraltar, Jeff Hendrick became the first Irish player to score for the national side under Mick McCarthy since Clinton Morrison netted against Russia in September 2002, 16 years and 197 days before.
Malta v Spain - 1945 GMT
Spain managed to narrowly beat Norway in their opener but should have a more comfortable evening as they travel to Malta.
Sergio Ramos' cheeky penalty wrapped up the three points, and the Real Madrid centre-back is a best price of 15/8 to score anytime in this one with the defender on set-piece duty for his country.
Luis Enrique could make a few changes here though, particularly in the midfield area, as they aim to boost their goal difference alongside gaining another victory.
One player who could come in is Saul Niguez. The Atletico Madrid midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester City as they aim to source a long-term replacement for Fernandinho.
However, while he would be expected to play in a deeper midfield role for Pep Guardiola, who coincidentally scored in Spain's victory over Malta when these two sides last met in 1997, his inclusion in this Spain side would likely see a more central position.
Dani Ceballos and Sergio Busquets are two players who could play further back, although in this game it's unlikely they will have a great deal to do on the defensive side of things.
It's always difficult to find value in games where one side is priced at 1/40 for a win, with Malta huge 115/1 outsiders with Marathon Bet, but going for goalscorers is the best avenue to explore.
Saul can be found at a general price of 3/1 to strike anytime in this game, which in the circumstances and considering the opposition, is a selection worth backing with a small stake.
He has a couple of goals in his 15 games for his country so far, with five goals across the competitions for Atletico this season.
Spain have conceded in recent games, particularly during the Nations League, while Malta have scored in three of their last four competitive home games.
Star striker Michael Mifsud is 22/1 for a goal here, if you're after something bigger, while both teams to score can be backed at 23/4 with Unibet.
Best bet: Saul Niguez to score anytime at 3/1
Italy v Liechtenstein - 1945 GMT
An easy game for Italy as they look for six points from their two openers. Roberto Mancini's men beat Finland 2-0 in their game on Saturday.
They are 1/5 to win the group, such is the level of the opposition, and Liechtenstein are expected to finish on the opposite side of the scales with the odds heavily stacked against them.
The same applies when they travel to the Stadio Tardini in Parma on Tuesday. Marathon Bet's 175/1 being the best price you can get on an away win, while most other firms are floating around the 100/1 and 125/1 mark.
Even the handicap betting provides little value. 7/5 is the best price on Italy -4, while anything lower is heavily odds-on with the hosts expect to run away with it.
Like the other games, goalscorers is where the best bets can be found and the player to back is promising youngster Moise Kean. He scored in their win last time out.
He played on the right wing in that game, but Mancini is expected to rest Ciro Immobile which means the Juventus man will get to play in his more traditional striker role.
Kean's record for both club and country is excellent. He's scored three goals in seven appearances for Juve this season, but the fact that the majority of his appearances have come from the bench means he's averaging a goal every 61 minutes.
He has one goal in two games for Italy, two goals in three games for the under-21s, two goals in one game for the under-20s and four goals in six games for the under-19s.
It's clear to see why there are clubs across Europe looking to secure his signature in the summer. The 19-year-old has an instinct for goals and is the man to permanently lead the line for Italy in years to come.
Betway offer 3/1 on Kean scoring two or more goals in this contest. Liechtenstein conceded eight goals in their three away games at the lowest level of the Nations League, while Italy beat them 9-0 on aggregate when the two were placed in the same World Cup qualifying group.
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Odds correct at 1110 GMT (25/03/19)
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