Euro 2020 qualifying preview: Free tips, predictions & best bets for Friday's action including Germany v Netherlands, Scotland and Wales
Euro 2020 qualifying is back and George Pitts takes a look at Friday's action, with three best bets to consider.
Recommended bets
1pt Steven Bergwijn to score anytime in Germany v Netherlands at 11/4
1pt Russia to be leading after 30 minutes v Scotland at 19/5
1pt Daniel James to score anytime in Wales v Azerbaijan at 23/10
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Friday's fixtures
- Cyprus v Kazakhstan
- Estonia v Belarus
- Austria v Latvia
- Germany v Netherlands
- San Marino v Belgium
- Scotland v Russia
- Slovakia v Croatia
- Slovenia v Poland
- Wales v Azerbaijan
Germany v Netherlands
A clash between two Euro powerhouses. Let's hope for more of the same from their five-goal clash in March where Germany were 3-2 winners.
That result started a three-game winless run for Netherlands. They drew with England in the Nations League semi-final (winning in extra-time) before losing to Portugal in the June final.
Ronald Koeman's young side are very much in a period of development, while Germany are also in transition with a changing of the old guard.
One of the up and coming Dutch stars who could start is Steven Bergwijn, a 21-year-old PSV winger. He only has five caps to his name and is still looking for his first goal, which should only be a matter of time.
Bergwijn, linked with Man United and Bayern in the summer, scored 15 and assisted 13 in 41 club appearances last term and already has two goals and three assists this term.
He is not afraid to try his luck - taking SIX shots in one Eredivisie game last month - and should pip Quincy Promes to a starting place in a supporting role to lone forward Memphis Depay. It is a great chance for him to open his international account and worth a small play at 11/4 anytime.
Best bet: Steven Bergwijn to score anytime at 11/4
Scotland v Russia
Few things were expected from Russia at the World Cup last summer and the hosts sprung a surprise by qualifying from their group, beating Spain on penalties in the round of 16 and taking eventual finalists Croatia to spot-kicks in the quarter-final.
They sit second in Euro 2020 qualifying Group I, behind Belgium with three wins and a defeat in four. They are gaining momentum, with those three victories all coming in their last three fixtures.
With Scotland, Kazakhstan, Scotland (at home) and Cyprus to face in the coming months before Belgium, they have a great chance to make ground on their group rivals.
Stanislav Cherchesov's side have scored in the opening half hour in three of their last four - and the fourth saw them find the back of the net in the 38th minute, so close.
It is still early days for Steve Clarke's reign as Scotland boss and Russia is a tough one.
Three or more goals have been scored in all of Scotland's home qualifying games and Russia can cause early damage by taking a quick lead at a very appealing price.
Slovakia v Croatia
On the face of it, you would expect a fairly straightforward win for Croatia, but that is not necessarily the case.
The World Cup finalists have not kept a clean sheet since their October meeting with England (0-0) - they have played seven since. They have suffered three defeats in that time and all games, win or loss, have been settled by a one-goal margin.
Slovakia, meanwhile, are gathering pace having won four of their last six and go into this game having scored an impressive 10 goals in their last two games.
Granted, the opposition was Jordan and Azerbaijan but both of those nations even managed to score against the Croatians in the last 12 months. This clash looks a great option for your BTTS coupon.
Best bet: Both teams to score at 6/5
Wales v Azerbaijan
A simple option for this one, but with the Wales focus always on Gareth Bale, there is value elsewhere in the goalscorer market.
In Daniel James, they have a new star on the scene and the winger has stepped up well with Man United following his summer move from Swansea, already scoring three in four Premier League appearances.
The 21-year-old averages nearly three shots per game this season, so he is not afraid of trying his luck in a big team, and he is already off the mark for Wales with one goal in four appearances.
Azerbaijan are on a four-game losing streak while Wales have won their last two on home soil. As a likely starter in Wales' attack, at over 2/1 anytime James is worth a shout.
Best bet: Daniel James to score anytime at 23/10
Sporting Life Price Boost
Germany (v Netherlands), Croatia (v Slovakia) and Poland (v Slovenia) all to win at 9/1
- Click the image below to back it at this exclusive price...
Odds correct as of 1200 BST on 05/09/19
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