Meanwhile, Belgium host recent World Cup hosts Russia, while Slovenia make tough trip to Israel
Euro 2020 qualifying gets underway this coming week and on Thursday (21 March) there are a few eye-catching fixtures in the race to reach the finals. First up, Austria will be looking to make a winning start against an out of sorts Poland side, while Belgium and Russia, who both performed admirably at the World Cup last summer, face off. And finally, Slovenia have a tough test when they travel to take on Israel.
First things first
Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Euro 2020 qualifiers set to get underway later this week, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, let’s take a look at the clash between Austria and Poland. Austria made a strong finish to their UEFA Nations League group, taking seven points from the last nine available and will be looking to carry that form into their latest competitive fixture.
Poland, in stark contrast, come into this match on the back of a poor run of form. They have not won a match since the World Cup in June, where they finished bottom of their group after losing their first two matches – now the pressure is n to try and find the winning formula.
And while the betting is close, it is Austria who come in as the slight favourites to take the points. You can more than double your money by backing the home side to win at 2.25, while Poland are out at 3.30 to do the same – a draw comes in just under at 3.20, according to Oddsshark.
And we think that home advantage could be a key factor in this clash. A narrow, 2-1 win for Austria is priced at 9.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$47.50 pay out, while you can more than double your money by backing over 2.5 goals in the game at 2.15.
Belgium look to make strong start against Russia
Meanwhile, Belgium will be hoping that strong attacking flair will be too much for a limited Russian outfit. Belgium made it all the way to the semi-finals of the World Cup last summer but there remain concerns about their defensive back line – they conceded five against Switzerland back in November.
Russia, by way of comparison, made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup on home soil before losing on penalties to eventual finalists Croatia. They come into this match however on the back of two straight losses.
It is therefore of little surprise to see that it is Belgium who come into this match as the red hot favourites to take all three points. You can back the home side to win at just 1.30, while Russia are out at 9.00 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 5.50.
This should be a comfortable victory for the home side. A 3-0 win for Belgium is priced at 8.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US440 pay out, while you can more than double your money by backing a combo bet of a Belgium win, coupled with a “No” to both teams scoring, at 2.05.
Slovenia to face tough test at Israel
And finally, Israel host Slovenia with both sides in with a chance of making the finals. Israel have won their last three matches on home soil and can come into this opening qualifier absolutely brimming with confidence.
Slovenia, meanwhile, come into this match on the back of six matches without a win. The visitors are in desperate need of some sort of result with both form and morale currently in the doldrums.
Again, the betting is close but the home side is the slight favourites to get off to a winning start. You can more than double your money by backing Israel to take all three points at 2.25, while Slovenia are out at 3.30 to do the same – a draw is at 3.20.
And we are expecting Israel to continue their recent winning streak on home soil. A narrow, 1-0 win in their favour comes in at 6.50, while you can more than triple your money by backing a combo bet of an Israel win, coupled with a “No” to both teams scoring, at 3.50.
Euro 2020 qualifiers:
Thursday, 21 March
(4.75) Kazakhstan x Scotland (1.80); draw (3.40)
(1.030) Cyprus x San Marino (34.00); draw (15.00)
(2.25) Austria x Poland (3.30); draw (3.20)
(1.30) Belgium x Russia (9.00); draw (5.50)
(1.12) Croatia x Azerbaijan (17.00); draw (8.50)
(1.44) Macedonia x Latvia (9.50); draw (3.80)
(1.14) Holland x Belarus (15.00); draw (8.00)
(2.25) Israel x Slovenia (3.30); draw (3.20)
(1.44) Northern Ireland x Estonia (9.50); draw (3.80)
(1.70) Slovakia x Hungary (5.00); draw (3.60)
