Euro 2020 qualifier tips: Easy wins for Croatia, Belgium and the Dutch?
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The road to Euro 2020 finally begins tonight, with 10 qualifying games getting us underway.
They include last summer’s World Cup runners-up Croatia, plus goal-happy Belgium and a rejuvenated Netherlands.
We’ve got all of those games previewed right here, but we’re starting with a trip to Belfast…
Northern Ireland v Estonia
The Green and White Army had a tremendous time in France in 2016, and they’ll want to have another taste of the good stuff next summer.
Bad news: They’re in a group with Germany and the Netherlands. Good news: The Dutch have already bagged a play-off spot via the Nations League, so there’s a back door for Michael O’Neill’s men.
More good news: They open with home games versus Estonia and Belarus. Norn Iron must take advantage, and nothing less than six points will do. They’re always solid at Windsor Park though, and are 4/9 to kick things off with a win.
Netherlands v Belarus
The Dutch appear to be on their way back after missing the last two major tournaments.
Ronald Koeman’s men should be eyeing a straight path in next summer’s finals, and they’re 1/9 to open with three points at home to Belarus.
Our traders have 22/1 about the visitors causing an almighty upset, but there’s 11/10 about this new-look Dutch side on the -2 handicap.
Former Manchester United winger Memphis Depay is first goalscorer favourite at 13/5, ahead of PSV hotshot Luuk de Jong at 14/5.
Croatia v Azerbaijan
World Cup finalists Croatia should waltz Group E. Our traders make Luka Modric’s side 2/7 group favourites.
They open with what should be a straight-forward home game versus Azerbaijan. The hosts are a skinny 1/10 for victory, with 21/20 on the -2 handicap. There’s a huge 25/1 about the visitors, which says much about the gulf in class between the sides.
Ante Rebic heads up the first goalscorers at 3/1, with Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric lingering at 16/5.
Belgium v Russia
Scotland will have a keen eye on this one, hoping for a Russian defeat.
Belgium are 1/5 favourites to win Group I, leaving the Tartan Army to fight with last summer’s World Cup hosts for the second automatic spot.
Our traders will have boosted Scottish hopes, with 1/3 about a Belgian victory and a lengthy 8/1 for a Russia success.
There are goals in all corners of Roberto Martinez’s squad, with Romelu Lukaku 11/4 favourite to net the opener, ahead of Michy Batshuayi at 16/5 and Eden Hazard at 7/2.
Click here for all our latest Euro 2020 odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
