NATIONS LEAGUE: The Ultra previews SCOTLAND v CROATIA and NORTHERN IRELAND v BELARUS both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
SCOTLAND V CROATIA
7.45pm The Nations League continues on Friday with Scotland and Northern Ireland both in action on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE. Both sides have big games for different reasons with Scotland trying to avoid relegation and Northern Ireland trying to win promotion. We kick off the evening in Group A1 as Scotland host Croatia. Scotland were always going to struggle when they moved up to an A Group, and it’s no real surprise to see them sitting bottom heading into the final International Break. Relegation was always going to be between themselves and Poland, and losing at home to Poland on matchday one was always a huge setback. They have given themselves a slight chance with a 0-0 draw here against Portugal in October – that has kept the door ajar as they still sit three points behind Poland. They’ll still be facing a relegation playoff even if they catch Poland with the new Nations League format, but getting something from this game is an absolute must. It might all be for nothing too given they are away to Poland on Monday, but Hampden Park will be absolutely rocking for this fixture nevertheless! We had a pretty close game when the sides met in Croatia, with Croatia winning 2-1.
It’s not a surprise to see Croatia come into the game as the favourites – Croatia are trading 2.22 with Scotland 3.55 and the draw is 3.6 at the time of writing. While Scotland were having their 0-0 with Portugal, Croatia were drawing 3-3 with Poland in the most entertaining game of this Group so far! That left Croatia three points behind Portugal at the top of the table, and the Group winner could easily be decided here with Portugal at home. Scotland have made a huge amount of improvement in recent years, and their best performances are always in front of their own fans. Croatia are still a top class side, but there have been more alarming signs recently that age is finally starting to catch up with them. I’m going to keep stakes small here, but I’m happy with a lay on Croatia at 2.22 from a value point of view. I just expect Scotland to make the game closer than those odds suggest.
The Ultra Says:
One point lay (liability) Croatia to beat Scotland at 2.22 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/ScoCro
NORTHERN IRELAND V BELARUS
7.45pm We move over to Group C3 to finish Friday night for a huge game between Northern Ireland and Belarus! It may have taken Northern Ireland years to actually win a Nations League fixture, but they are in with a good shout of winning this Group now. They come into the final International Break sitting top of the table, but we have an exceptionally competitive Group here. Northern Ireland have seven points, Belarus have six and Bulgaria have five. Northern Ireland have the best fixture list to finish too – a home game here and then away to Luxembourg on the final matchday – as away games go that’s the easiest they’ll get in this Group. Northern Ireland come into the game as the odds on favourites at 1.51 with Belarus 9.0 and the draw is 4.1 at the time of writing. Northern Ireland are always a few levels better with home advantage, but I wouldn’t be rushing to back them at 1.51 here. That definitely feels a little short – we have a pretty limited Group here, and the football hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire. We saw a 0-0 draw when Belarus had home advantage earlier in the Group, and you’d have to expect Belarus to approach this game quite negatively too.
Northern Ireland usually struggle to create good quality chances and score goals, but they absolutely blew Bulgaria away here in October when winning 5-0. That fixture followed the 0-0 away to Belarus, and to be fair to Northern Ireland if there was going to be a winner of that game it was Northern Ireland as they created a lot more than the home side, especially in the first half. I would expect a reasonably similar game here – Northern Ireland will have to make the running and Belarus will be happy to sit in and defend. Belarus should be top of this Group though – while Northern Ireland were beating Bulgaria they drew 1-1 at home to Luxembourg; a fixture they should be winning! From a value point of view, I couldn’t put anyone off the Northern Ireland lay at 1.51 because I expect a closer game than those odds suggest. However, I do expect a tight game here and Under 2.5 goals looks worth a small investment at 1.64.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Under 2.5 goals at 1.64 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/NorBel
