There’s no Premier League this weekend so instead we’ve previewed three international games, with odds from Betfair.
Haaland and co face tough challenge against Turkey
As Norway lined-up for the national anthems ahead of their recent game with Gibraltar, the Lions unveiled white t-shirts with a message on the front reading: “Human Rights – on and off the pitch.”
The message – clearly directed at concerns over the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – underlines Norway’s threat of a boycott from the competition.
However, before Norway can think about a boycott, they must first try to actually qualify for the tournament. That is easier said than done considering they haven’t been to a World Cup since 1998.
Turkey and the Netherlands represent their biggest challenge with regards to qualification, meaning this weekend’s encounter has a lot at stake.
While Norway kicked off their campaign with a standard 3-0 victory over Gibraltar, Turkey pulled off one of the results of the week as they beat the Netherlands 4-2 in Istanbul.
Burak Yilmaz scored a hat-trick in that game and he will certainly be the man to watch when the Turks travel to Oslo.
But another man to watch will be Erling Haaland. The Borussia Dortmund ace has scored 16 goals from his last 17 games in all competitions and will definitely be a threat.
The striker took part in the human rights statement before the Gibraltar game, but he will now be looking to make one on the field as Norway eye a second straight win.
Betting: Norway to win and both teams to score at 7/2 (Betfair)
Ireland could face Luxembourg embarrassment
One team is without a win in ten. The other has won two from their last six. Unfortunately for Ireland, it’s the first statement that applies to them, not Luxembourg.
Stephen Kenny’s men are in the midst of a horrible slump. Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Serbia extended Ireland’s winless run, however, it at least ended their goal drought which had lasted for an incredible seven consecutive games.
The Irish are clearly out of form, but what about their upcoming opponents?
Interestingly, Luxembourg have only lost one of their last four competitive games. Indeed, they have improved significantly over the past decade.
When Luc Holtz first became manager in 2010, the national side were ranked 134th by FIFA. In 2017, the Red Lions moved up as high as 83rd and two years later they enjoyed promotion to UEFA Nations League’s third division.
On paper, Ireland are the comfortable favourites to win this game. In fact, this should be a great opportunity for them to get out of their torrid winless run.
But there’s something about this Luxembourg side that makes them a danger in this game. Recent wins over Azerbaijan, Cyprus and Montenegro showed that they do possess an attacking threat.
Betting: Luxembourg to win at 13/2 (Betfair)
Poland vs Andorra
Robert Lewandowski is well known for his goalscoring records at Bayern Munich, but does he get enough credit for his international goal haul?
The forward is Poland’s all-time top goalscorer with 64 to his name. That number currently puts him 22nd on the list of top international goal scorers, still 45 behind the great Ali Daei but only seven short of Lionel Messi and Miroslav Klose.
The Pole is currently in great form and he’ll be looking to add more goals to his name when Poland host Andorra this weekend.
Having scored in nine consecutive games across all competitions, Bundesliga’s current leading striker will be confident of continuing that run when one of Europe’s lowest-ranked nations arrives in Warszawa.
Betting: Poland to win with a -4 handicap at 5/2 (Betfair)
Odds correct at the time of publication. 18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit begambleaware.org
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