Archives for October 2019

Northern Ireland take on Holland in their latest Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday night.

Michael O’Neill’s side still have everything to play for as we enter the final straight of this qualifying campaign.

Northern Ireland ‘s hopes of reaching next summer’s finals could hinge on their home and away double-header with Holland.

First up it’s Thursday’s clash in Rotterdam.

Here’s what you need to know about the game:

When and where is it?
Holland vs Northern Ireland is being played at the De Kuip stadium on Thursday, October 10.

What time is kick-off?
The game kicks off at 7.45pm.

Is the game being televised or streamed?
You can watch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event or online via the SkyGo app from 7pm. If you don’t have Sky, you can watch the match through NOW TV. You can get a Sky Sports Day Pass for £9.99, a week pass for £14.99 or a month pass for £33.99, all without needing a contract. NOW TV can be streamed through a computer or apps found on most smart TVs, phones and consoles.

What has Michael O’Neill said?
O’Neill: “We know how tough a test this will be. But we always wanted to create head to heads at the end of the group, and that is essentially what we are in with Holland – home and away. We need four points out of that somehow to, as I understand it, qualify us from the group. That’s the challenge and that’s what we have to aspire to try and do.”

Betting odds
Holland 1/6

N Ireland 14/1

Draw 6/1

Odds from McLean Bookmakers

Croatia have not been the solid team they were in the previous World Cup. The team has undergone some serious changes, but they have not done badly in the EURO 2020 Qualifiers so far. They will look to remain at the top of their group when they will host Hungary on Thursday. Hungary are coming off a bad loss at home in their last match, but can certainly threaten the hosts here.

Date/Time: 10-10-2019, 14:45 EST

Spread: Hungary +1.5

Total: 2.5 Goals

Croatia (3-1-1) will surely be feeling frustrated about their 1-1 draw on the road against Azerbaijan in their last match. They did a great job to take an early lead through a Modric penalty kick. They were really great in that match and even kept their opponents at bay. But they didn’t score a safety goal and their opponents pulled even at the 72nd minute for the final 1-1. Croatia have done a solid job in the qualifiers so far, losing only to Hungary on the road. They are leading Group E with 10 points, scoring 10 goals and conceding just five so far. Four of their matches featured Over 2.5 Goals, against just one with Under 2.5.

On the other hand, Hungary (3-2-0) are coming into this match after a tough 2-1 loss at home against Slovakia. It was a really physical match and it’s a wonder that we didn’t see any red cards, only eight yellow ones. Slovakia took the lead at the 40th minute but Hungary pulled even at the 50th, only to concede again just six minutes later for the final 2-1 loss. Hungary have lost their first and their last match in this round, winning three in a row in-between. They have kept just one clean sheet and have scored in four of their five matches. Hungary are sitting 3rd in the group with 9 points, just as many as the 2nd Slovakia.

Hungary came back from one goal behind to beat Croatia by 1-2 at home earlier in the qualifiers. But that was their first win in 20 years against Croatia, in all competitions (0-2-3). Hungary are certainly a medium-level team at best, but they do have some quality players up front. They can surely create problems to Croatia on this one, and even take a result. But I would rather go with the Over 2.5 Goals here, as Hungary will most likely help in the scoring.

EURO 2020 Qualifiers Croatia vs Hungary Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals (-122)

Furthermore, check out my other Free Soccer Picks here:

EURO 2020 Qualifiers Netherlands vs Northern Ireland Spread and Prediction

Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?

Latest Betting Odds and Public Action: Vegas lines updated in real time, including who the public is betting on.

Last Minute Handicapping Advice: Check out our extensive library of handicapping tips and advice from professional Vegas handicappers (we also recommend taking the time to look over our sports betting tips video library)

Want an expert opinion? Check out the latest Free Sports Picks and Best Bets from our team of expert sports handicappers.

Never miss a WagerTalk Podcast by subscribing:
iHeartRADIO
iTunes
Google Play
SoundCloud
Spreaker
STITCHER

tunein
blubrry
acast

Brazil take on Senegal in Singapore on Thursday looking to get back to winning ways after their poor performances during the September international break.

Meanwhile, Senegal are playing their first senior fixture since losing to Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final back in July.

While Tite was naturally delighted with Brazil’s Copa America campaign during the summer, he has since realised that there is much work to be done with his squad after their recent two matches.

Despite a 2-2 draw with Colombia being respectable enough, the one-goal defeat to Peru came as a surprise, especially having thrashed the same opponents by a 5-0 scoreline less than three months earlier.

Tite had made numerous changes to his starting lineup, with Neymar only being named on the substitutes’ bench, but the Selecao boss would have been bitterly disappointed to see his team’s 17-game unbeaten streak come to an end in such circumstances.

The main priority over the next five weeks is to defeat Argentina in Saudi Arabia on November 15, but Tite will reiterate to his squad that there are still plenty of places up for grabs ahead of that showdown.

Senegal boss Aliou Cisse has also publicly declared that he is keen to bring new faces into the national setup, with five of the players involved in this group having earned two caps or less.

That decision is a response to missing out on Africa Cup of Nations glory during the summer, while Cisse already has eyes on developing a squad ahead of the 2021 staging of the tournament.

The qualification period begins next month with a clash against Congo, and Cisse will likely use this fixture to assess which players are ready to play a significant part in that game.

Nevertheless, history and the sense of occasion will not be lost on Cisse as his nation goes head-to-head with the five-time world champions for the first time.

Brazil form: WDWWDL

Senegal form: WWLLWW

Tite will have both this game and the following encounter with Nigeria in mind when naming his starting lineup, although Neymar should be handed a recall in attack.

Eder Militao may get the nod in the centre of defence, while Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi could be in line for his debut.

Philippe Coutinho may potentially line up as the most advanced of a midfield three, with Richarlison and Roberto Firmino being named further forward.

With M’Baye Niang not involved in the Senegal squad, Monaco frontman Keita Balde could be given the nod up front alongside Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr.

The inclusion of Kalidou Koulibaly may lead to Cheikhou Kouyate moving back into central midfield, while Moussa Wague is pushing for a start at full-back.

Brazil possible starting lineup: Ederson; Alves, Thiago Silva, Militao, Lodi; Arthur, Casemiro, Coutinho; Richarlison, Firmino, Neymar

Senegal possible starting lineup: Gomis; Gassana, Koulibaly, Sane, Wague; N’Diaye, Gueye, Kouyate; Sarr, Mane, Balde