International football betting tips: Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick, Man Utd ace Dan James to continue scoring form and England to thrash Bulgaria
THE international break gets a bad rep for being a bit dull – but we’re having none of it.
All of the Home Nations are in action during a packed international programme and SunSport have put together their best bets including England vs Bulgaria and Wales vs Azerbaijan.
Northern Ireland v Luxembourg – Thursday 7.45pm
LET’s start off with what appears a home banker.
Michael O’Neill‘s men top their Euro group after four wins from four, seeing off both Estonia and Belarus twice since March.
Germany are next up, but first they’ve got this friendly clash against Luxembourg to see if they can rack up five on the spin.
Friendlies can be a bit of a lottery – there’s no Nations League nonsense here – and we’d urge a bit of caution if you’re expecting a goal-fest.
Luxembourg haven’t conceded more than once on the road since October 2017. Okay, they might have let in eight that night in Sweden.
But since then they’ve been to Malta, San Marino, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania and Ukraine, letting in just four goals in total.
Northern Ireland are a different proposition to six years ago when these sides last met, a 3-2 reverse in Luxembourg.
O’Neill will likely have one eye firmly on Germany – so expect plenty of changes and a sedate start to the international programme from the men in green.
The home side should have too much even in second gear and the 29/10 on them to win either 1-0 or 2-0 is too good to turn down.
If you’re looking for a goalscorer, Hearts hitman Conor Washington has bagged two in his last three league games and will be chomping at the bit to impress.
He’s 7/2 to score first, or 11/8 anytime.
Northern Ireland to win and under 2.5 goals: 19/10
Conor Washington to score: 11/8
Wales v Azerbaijan – Friday, 7.45pm
IT’S a little bit early to be talking about must-win games.
But this is a must win game. Sorry Welsh fans.
Ryan Giggs‘ side have got off to a shocker in Group E, losing two of their opening three matches against Hungary and Croatia.
So who better to face when you need a win than the group whipping boys Azerbaijan?
It’s three defeats from three for the visitors, who have conceded ten goals in that time – including FIVE last time against Slovakia.
That’s the same Slovakia that the Welsh beat here back in March.
Talking of that game, we need to take a good look at young Dan James.
The Man Utd winger announced himself on the international stage with the winner in that match – and we’re backing him to continue his recent excellent Premier League goalscoring form here.
Giggs needs a win and a comprehensive one at that.
But here’s the interesting bit – despite losing every game, Azerbaijan have scored in each of their three qualifiers so far.
They’ve racked up 25 shots despite being dominated possession wise and managed to take the lead away against Croatia despite being 33/1 underdogs.
Football is a funny old game and the 33/20 on both teams to score is WAY too high – you’d be daft not to have a nibble at that price.
Wales’ defence may have been decent so far in qualifying, but with free agent Ashley Williams out it’s left to inexperienced trio Joe Rodon, Tom Lockyer and James Lawrence to provide the rear-guard action in central defence.
All the visitors need is for the ball to fall their way at a set-piece and you could be quids in – even if Gareth Bale and James run riot at the other end.
The home side to win and both teams to find the net is a whopping 3/1 and we’d recommended that’s where you head for the value.
Dan James to continue scoring streak: 15/8
Five-fold acca
- Northern Ireland to beat Luxembourg – 1/2
- Scotland vs Russia over 2.5 goals – 29/20
- Wales vs Azerbaijan both teams to score – 33/20
- England vs Bulgaria over 3.5 goals – 21/20
- Portugal to beat Serbia – 6/5
Scotland v Russia, Friday 7.45pm
IT’S the Scots in qualifying for a major tournament.
Let’s face it, anything could happen.
Russia arrive at Hampden as the higher-rated of the two sides and on the back of three straight win-to-nil’s in Euro qualifying.
That 3-0 horror show from Scotland against Kazakhstan feels like a long time ago, but this is a huge match as they look to reel in the second-placed visitors.
Belgium are streaking away at the top of Group I and seem to have it sewn up, so the battle is on for that other all-important qualifying spot.
Despite their issues on the road, in competitive games Scotland have made Hampden something of a fortress.
They last lost a qualifier here in 2015, when Germany turned them over 3-2.
We like the look of the draw – but the safer bet here is to play with the goals market in what could be an open, attacking affair north of the border.
Four of the last five Scotland matches here have seen three goals or more, whilst the free-scoring Russians have netted fifteen times in their opening four qualifiers.
If you’re nervy about the stalemate, take away the worry of picking sides and just stick to the over 2.5 goals market – and wait for the money to roll right in.
Over 2.5 goals at Hampden Park: 29/20
Russia and Scotland to draw: 2/1
England v Bulgaria, Saturday 5pm
SOUTHGATE’s men are heading to fortress Wembley.
In other words, this should be another qualifying procession for the Three Lions.
England were turned over by the Spanish here in the Nations League last year, but before that you’ve got to go back to 2014 for a competitive defeat at the Home of Football.
Bulgaria shouldn’t pose a threat to this record. Key word – shouldn’t.
The visitors have won just one of their last twelve internationals on the road and prop up Group A without a victory.
Gone are the days of banana skin ties in qualifying for England. It’s just at the tournament itself that things traditionally fall apart.
We’re confidently laying it on the line and reckon England win this at a canter.
Southgate‘s side don’t tend to be fast starters – in fact, they’ve not scored in the first 20 minutes of a match since stunning Spain in Seville last term.
Even in the five-goal demolitions of Czech Republic and Montenegro, it took England nearly half an hour to break their opponents down.
The Three Lions are a tiny 2/5 to be winning at half-time and full-time.
Leave that alone and instead pile on Southgate’s side to score in both halves at 8/15 – whilst it might be worth having a nibble on another home victory with five goals or more.
Raheem Sterling has turned himself into a Man City goal machine in the last two years and is now producing the goods consistently at international level.
Imagine just twelve months ago us recommending you back Sterling at odds on to score in an England game? But that’s what we’re doing.
England to score in both halves: 8/15
Three Lions to win and over 4.5 goals: 12/5
Raheem Sterling to score anytime: 10/11
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Ronaldo special
IT’S only a few days since Virgil Van Dijk upstaged Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The Liverpool centre-back beat both superstars to the Uefa Player of the Year gong – but Ronny might have something to say about that when Portugal face Serbia.
The Nations League winners have made a slow start to their Group B campaign and could only muster a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture on home soil.
But a fired up Ronaldo is fresh from opening his Juventus account for the season in a terrific 4-3 Serie A win over Napoli.
He looked sharp as ever and it’s only a matter of time before he hits top gear in 2019/20.
If you’re looking for a small stake, big price reward, back CR7 to net an EIGHTH career hat-trick in Portugal colours.
Cristiano Ronaldo to score a hat-trick against Serbia: 20/1
*All odds correct at time of publication.