European Championship betting preview: Free tips & best bets for Friday's Euro 2020 qualifiers
The qualifiers for Euro 2020 continue on Friday night with a number of games across the groups. Tom Carnduff has three anytime scorer bets.
Recommended bets
1pt Johann Berg Gudmundsson to score anytime in Andorra v Iceland at 7/2
1pt Blaise Matuidi to score anytime in Moldova v France at 7/2
1pt N'Golo Kante to score anytime in Moldova v France at 21/4
For advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Bulgaria v Montenegro - 1700 GMT
Montenegro come into this one on the back of a disappointing UEFA Nations League campaign, while Bulgaria were unlucky after narrowly missing out on promotion to a higher tier.
Bulgaria have a fantastic record when playing at home and that will give them the advantage here. They picked up seven from a possible nine points in the Nations League when playing in front of their own supporters.
Their World Cup qualifying campaign also brought wins against the likes of Sweden and Netherlands, losing by a single goal to a France side who went on to win the great prize in football.
On the flip side, Montenegro's away form hasn't been the best. Their victory over Lithuania was their only away victory in 2018, while they failed to score against the likes of Romania, Bosnia and Cyprus.
Bulgaria represent fantastic value at a general price of 6/5 for victory here. They're a strong side, particularly at home, and could be a contender to join England in qualifying for the competitions finals next year.
Best bet: Bulgaria to win at 6/5
Albania v Turkey - 1945 GMT
Two teams who are likely to be absent from the finals in 2020, but they will be trying to be in the mix for the final spot below France in Group H.
Neither side has been in outstanding form recently, although Albania did manage to grab victory against Wales in an international friendly back in November.
The best avenue to explore in terms of outright result here would be draw. Turkey have drawn three of their last five away games, while Albania will know the importance of their home games if they are to upset the odds across the course of the campaign.
A player to watch out for here, should he start, is Armando Sadiku. The Lugano forward has missed most of the season with a Cruciate Ligament injury but is back fit and playing.
He has a decent record with the national team, scoring ten goals in his last 24 games. He did also find the net in Lugano's recent victory over Luzern as he battled back to full fitness.
A best price of 11/4 is available on the forward to score anytime in an open game such as this, which is worth a consideration here.
Best bet: Armando Sadiku to score anytime at 11/4
Andorra v Iceland - 1945 GMT
Iceland won Europe's hearts (well, maybe not England's) with their efforts at Euro 2016 but they haven't quite been able to replicate that in the years since.
However, they should kick off their qualification campaign for this tournament with all three points on offer. The hosts are 20/1 outsiders, and with good reason.
In fairness to them, they have drawn their last five at home in all competitions - showing that it isn't an easy place for many teams to play. They haven't been playing top teams over that time though, with Portugal beating them 2-0 in their World Cup qualifier in 2017.
Given Iceland's ranking, they've had much tougher games over the same time period which explains their struggles. They can get the winning feeling back again here though.
In games where one side is such a short price, value can be difficult to find. However, Johann Berg Gudmundsson is worth a small play at 7/2 to score anytime in this contest.
The 28-year-old has had direct involvement in eight goals in the Premier League for Burnley this season and will likely line-up on the right side of Iceland's attack.
His international record isn't as good as he would have hoped - but the level of opposition could present him with a number of opportunities to find the net.
England v Czech Republic - 1945 GMT
Click on the image above to read George Pitts' full preview for England's Euro 2020 qualifying opener.
Luxembourg v Lithuania - 1945 GMT
I doubt this is the game that most people will be rapidly flicking through the TV channels trying to find on Friday night.
However, both will be battling to avoid bottom spot in Group B with Portugal, Ukraine and Serbia all expected to finish above them in eight games' time.
Six consecutive losses have damaged Lithuania's prospects in multiple competitions. They were relegated from their Nations League group with zero points, scoring three goals and conceding 16.
On the flip side, Luxembourg surprised many with their efforts in League D, Group 2. Yes, they weren't playing against big hitters, but they still posted ten points, scoring eleven goals in six games.
It's clear by looking at their form that Luxembourg prefer playing at home and that's where they enjoy the majority of their success. A home win is worth a small play at a price of 7/5.
Best bet: Luxembourg to win at 7/5
Moldova v France - 1945 GMT
A straightforward victory in what will prove to be a straightforward group for the world champions.
France are 1/10 for the win despite being the away side. For a much more appealing price, we're going to back Blaise Matuidi to score anytime at a price of 7/2.
Betfair and Paddy Power offer the best odds on this one for a central midfielder that often plays in a more advanced and wider position for his country. In their last game, he was on the left-side of an attacking trio.
France should hit the net on multiple occasions and, given the group they have, are strong contenders to be the highest scorers in European qualifying.
N'Golo Kante can also be found at 21/4 for a goal anytime, which is also worth considering given the fact that he has scored on multiple occasions for Chelsea this season.
The usual suspects (Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud) are all even money or less for a goal - so the value is looking to the midfield to contribute to the goals tally.
Best bet: Blaise Matuidi to score anytime at 7/2
Best bet: N'Golo Kante to score anytime at 21/4
Portugal v Ukraine - 1945 GMT
The defending champions kick off their campaign against Ukraine, with the hosts expected to top Group B.
It won't be straightforward though given the strength of the Ukranian side that they come up against. They won their Nations League group and earned promotion with three wins from four.
They also scored in each of those four games. In total, Ukraine have managed to score in all but one of their last five away games in all competitions.
Portugal don't often lose at home, but they do also a lot of draws. This is a side with attacking power and quality and it could be a game that may well finish with the points shared.
6/4 is available as a general price of both teams scoring in this game, which is worth a small play.
Best bet: Both teams to score at 6/4
International acca
We have a hidden boost accumulator through Sky Bet for Friday night's games. Back England, Bulgaria and Luxembourg all to win boosted to 7/1. This boosted price accumulator is only available through this link.
Odds correct at 1625 GMT (21/03/19)
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