NATIONS LEAGUE: The Ultra previews GREECE v ENGLAND and REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v FINLAND both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
GREECE V ENGLAND
7.45pm The Nations League returns for the latest International Break on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE! This will be the third International Break of the season and we’re still in mid-November – that hasn’t worked well in my opinion and it has definitely got in the way of the domestic leagues. A lot of football fans dislike the International Breaks and although the Nations League has at least made them all competitive, that opinion still hangs around very strongly. This will be the last one for a while however, and these rounds of fixtures will end the 2024/25 Nations League. We kick off Thursday night in Group B2 and we have a fascinating fixture. Greece host England in a top of the table clash; England come into this game under pressure after a shock loss to Greece at Wembley. That leaves Greece three points ahead, with Republic of Ireland and Finland being the whipping boys of this Group. England obviously have a new manager now in Thomas Tuchel – no doubt we’ll all have to live through the created media drama about singing the national anthem – but you would hope the squad have a fresh outlook and are full of hope.
The best way to describe this England side is boring. They were every boring under Gareth Southgate but made it to Finals with good draws, and it’s not like they turned into a very attacking side when he left either. It will be interesting to see how they perform under Tuchel now. England come into the game as the odds on favourites but there are plenty of willing layers – Greece have made a lot of progress in recent years. England are trading 1.95 with Greece 4.8 and the draw is 3.55 at the time of writing. England have been pretty lacklustre in this Group so far – getting relegated from an A Group is obviously embarrassing, not winning a B Group even more so. With the change in manager, the jury is out here and I would recommend keeping stakes small to see how England perform. It will be very interesting to see how Tuchel sets England up, and if they are more entertaining. Usually it has paid to back Under 2.5 goals in England games – that’s trading 1.71 here and I’m happy with a small position on that, until we at least see improvement from this England side.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Under 2.5 goals at 1.71 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/GreEng
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND V FINLAND
7.45pm We stay in Group B2 to finish Thursday evening as the Republic of Ireland host Finland. As I said above, these two sides have been the whipping boys of this Group and this is a huge game in the race to avoid relegation. Whatever happens, both sides will be in a bad spot anyway because one will be relegated and the other heading into a relegation playoff. Ireland are clearly in a better spot having won the previous clash between the sides in the Group, and this will decide their fate because it’s hard to see either of them getting a result against Greece or England on the final matchday. As you would expect with home advantage and having won the away fixture, Ireland come into the game as the favourites – they are trading odds on however, which might be a popular lay given how poor Ireland have been in recent years. Ireland are 1.74 with Finland 6.0 and the draw is 3.75 at the time of writing. Ireland were in a very difficult position 1-0 at half-time when the sides met in October, but they produced a much improved second half to take a 2-1 win. A surprise given their lack of chances created and goals over the past few years and qualifying tournaments.
Both sides are clearly limited, and you’d have to expect a pretty low quality game of football here. Ireland are rightfully favourites, but I wouldn’t be rushing to take the 1.74 on them here – given their limited number of wins recently backing them at odds on has to come with a wealth warning. Finland are hardly a side you’d want to rely on though, especially given they managed losing from being 1-0 up at home too. I’m happy to stay out of the match odds market here to be honest; from a value point of view I wouldn’t put anyone off an Ireland lay but it is hard to have a lot of confidence. While we did see goals when the sides met earlier, Ireland tend to struggle for goals – a lot of times at home too because they can’t break down sides who sit back. Under 2.5 goals is trading 1.62 and I’m happy with a small position at the odds.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Under 2.5 goals at 1.62 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/IreFin
