EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS: The Ultra previews NETHERLANDS v FRANCE and REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v GREECE both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
NETHERLANDS V FRANCE
7.45pm The Euro 2024 Qualifiers continue on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE on Friday and we have a cracking evening in Group B! We have a very similar situation here as Group A on Thursday night with France six points ahead of the Netherlands but the Netherlands have a game in hand. To be honest, although Greece start the evening on the same amount of points as the Netherlands (they have played a game more too), anything other than France and the Netherlands going through would be a big shock. With five wins from five games, France are under way less pressure than the Netherlands; basically the Netherlands just need to keep Greece behind them – those sides meet on Monday with Greece having home advantage. We have a very open betting heat here with France favourites at the time of writing. The away win is trading 2.4 with Netherlands 3.25 and the draw is 3.45 at the time of writing. Pretty much as you’d expect here; it’s hard to make the case that France should be a lot shorter even though they are the better side.
Neither side has had much drama in this Group so far. They have been made work harder than expected at times, for example the Netherlands conceded early away to the Republic of Ireland but bounced back nicely and France had to grind out a 1-0 win against Greece. Ironically the most goals we’ve had a match involving either side was when France won 4-0 in Paris against the Netherlands! The market isn’t expecting as many goals here; you can get Over 2.5 goals at 1.94 which does make a lot of appeal in my opinion. We should get an entertaining game here though. Netherlands generally play a very open game at home and France have so much attacking talent I can’t see them sitting back either. I’m happy to stay out of the match odds market here because I don’t have a very strong view on the odds. I see value in the goals market however; Over 2.5 goals looks the best option at 1.94.
The Ultra Says:
Two points win Over 2.5 goals at 1.94 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/NedFra
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND V GREECE
7.45pm We stay in Group B to finish the evening as the Republic of Ireland host Greece. While on the outside this game might appear to be a meaningless fixture for Ireland, the story is very different at home. Manager Stephen Kenny is under immense pressure to hold onto his job given the recent performances and results. He has huge support from the League of Ireland base, but even that is starting to break down now. Ireland just haven’t been good enough for a while now; and in fairness to the manager the squad is very weak at the moment. They are just going through a transitional period and have no major talent from the Premier League etc. The general view in Ireland is that the fans don’t might how the side plays when they get results; that’s where I think Kenny is falling down – he keeps saying it’s about how they play their football, but they still have such an average squad and the results are so poor. They basically don’t have the talent to play an open and attacking brand of football. It’s nearly like watching Sheffield United try play with Manchester City tactics in the Premier League; it just doesn’t work.
While most Ireland fans will forgive Ireland for losing to the likes of France and the Netherlands, a lot of the debate has come from the loss to Greece. Most of the Irish media are of the opinion that Ireland should be winning those games; I feel the reality is Greece have been playing better football for a while now. They are already assured of a playoff spot thanks to their performance in the Nations League while Ireland struggled there too. We have a very open betting heat with Republic of Ireland favourites at 2.62, Greece at 3.25 and the draw is 3.1. To be honest I am surprised that there is such a gap in the prices here. I know it’s an open market, but I would have the sides even closer together in the betting. Ireland haven’t shown enough in my opinion to be starting as favourites against a very strong side. Greece have shown a lot of improvement in recent times, and I’m very happy with the Ireland lay at 2.62 from a value point of view.
The Ultra Says:
Three points lay (liability) Republic of Ireland to beat Greece at 2.62 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/IreGre
