EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS: The Ultra previews ENGLAND v ITALY and NORTHERN IRELAND v SLOVENIA both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
ENGLAND V ITALY
7.45pm We finish the International Break on Tuesday with some superb fixtures on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE. For those of you who don’t like International football, you’ll be glad to see the back of this break, but what a way to go out with England hosting Italy as the headline fixture! We also have Northern Ireland in action in Group H, but we start the evening with this massive clash in Group C. When the Groups first came out, it looked certain England and Italy would be the top two; the only question was who would take top spot. Ukraine have put up an excellent fight however, and they are actually level on points with Italy at the moment although they have played one game more. England managed to get the better of Italy when the sides met in Naples. There was only one goal between them, and it’s hard to see anything bar a very close game again here. While both sides are the strongest in the Group; they have dropped points. England could only draw away to Ukraine and Italy away to North Macedonia. Home advantage is always important in International football; especially when sometimes players are just going through the motions against weaker opposition and suddenly you’re on the backfoot.
England come into the game as the odds on favourites. They are trading 1.69 at the time of writing with Italy 6.2 and the draw is 3.9. There’s been plenty of criticism aimed at Gareth Southgate recently but it’s mainly because England have such a wealth of talent at the moment. It’s about finding the right XI; most England fans see how much attacking talent they have and want to blow sides away. International football isn’t quite like that; it might sound boring but it’s basically about grinding out results and being hard to beat. Messi made the headlines at the World Cup, but Argentina were rock solid at the back – their average xG conceded was only 0.7 for example. Italy have been a little off the pace against the top sides in recent years, despite winning Euro 2020! Since then they have been in a period of transition, even missing out on the World Cup afterwards. It’s hard to see past England here, and while I couldn’t put anyone off them at 1.68 I prefer Under 2.5 goals at the slightly bigger price of 1.73. England haven’t set the world alight up front lately, and Italy have struggled to score against quality opposition too. I expect a classic cagey International without many chances – England would be happy with a draw too!
The Ultra Says:
Two points win Under 2.5 goals at 1.73 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/EngItl
NORTHERN IRELAND V SLOVENIA
7.45pm Next we move over to Group H to finish the evening as Northern Ireland host Slovenia. Northern Ireland find themselves in a terrible position here with only six points from their seven games thus far. All those points have come against San Marino too; pretty much to be expected and they would be very disappointed to not get a result anywhere else. Slovenia currently top the Group level on points with Denmark, and they have a four point cushion over Finland and Kazakhstan. Northern Ireland cannot reach the top two, and they haven’t even been close to good enough to be honest. They are left relying on a playoff spot through rankings and results; and that all gets quite complicated towards the end of qualifying. They are on the backfoot there too because they’ve been so poor in the Nations League. I have to say I was surprised to see such an open market here. Slovenia are the favourites at 2.32 with Northern Ireland 3.8 and the draw is 3.2. I know Northern Ireland are a much better side with home advantage, and they have fantastic support at home but I would have Slovenia much closer to 2.0 here.
It’s going to be hard to get away from the Slovenia bet at 2.32, however Under 2.5 goals is another option that much be considered strongly at 1.57. This game seems a low scoring cagey affair. That being said, we saw six goals when the sides met earlier in the Group! I thought we’d have a low scoring affair there too, but Slovenia ran out 4-2 winners. Despite all that action, they were always in control of the game – always ahead and it was Northern Ireland trying to get back into things. Finland and Kazakhstan were able to grind out 1-0 wins here in this Group, and I really wouldn’t be surprised to see another 1-0 loss for Northern Ireland here. Slovenia have played much better football compared to Northern Ireland and the 2.32 jumps off the page as a good value bet. I respect Northern Ireland at home so I won’t go too crazy with the stakes, but the 2.32 is worth a confident bet.
The Ultra Says:
Three points win Slovenia to beat Northern Ireland at 2.32 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/NirSlo
