We have a break in action from the Premier League this week as players from the teams have jetted off around the world to take part in the latest batch of international games, which includes one or a couple of Euro 2020 qualifying matches for many of the top teams across Europe, including the Home Nations teams and the Republic of Ireland.
With Euro 2020 set to be the biggest on record, there isn’t quite the pressure on teams to qualify as there has been in the past as more teams than ever will make it through to next summer’s tournament, which will take place at multiple venues across Europe. That said though, international weekends do make for some great sports betting and there will be plenty of interest in the games being played this weekend from punters.
You can enjoy plenty of great betting on the Euro 2020 qualifiers from all over the world. If you are based in the UK, then bet365 offers a wide selection of bets on all the big games being played over the next few days. If you aren’t a member, you can sign up now with the current bet365 Sport New Player Bonus to get a great deal when you join.
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Euro 2020 Qualifiers – Matchday 5 – Thu 5th – Sat 7th September
Let’s now take a look ahead to the more exciting clashes set to take place across Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
Thursday 5th September – Group D
Republic of Ireland v Switzerland
| Pos | Team | Pl | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 1 | Rep of Ireland | 4 | 5 | 1 | 10 | +4 |
| 2 | Denmark | 3 | 9 | 5 | 5 | +4 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | +2 |
| 4 | Georgia | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 | -4 |
| 5 | Gibraltar | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | -6 |
This is a crucial game in Group D with a win for either side giving them a huge advantage as we head into the remaining qualifying matches in the group. Ireland have made a very good start to their campaign and a win here would ensure they are well clear of both Denmark and Switzerland, with both of those teams needing to win their games in hand to close the gap.
Switzerland finished fourth in the Nations League in the summer, losing the 3rd place playoff to England on penalties and they will want another strong showing here to ensure they land a Euro 2020 place at the first attempt, something that the Irish will also be keen to secure.
Tip – Draw – 9/4
Switzerland have produced some stellar results in recent times and although the Irish have started this qualification campaign well, I feel the Swiss are a better, more rounded and more experienced team.
However, Ireland are so tough to beat on home soil that I think that even with the advantage Switzerland hold, they may find it tough here, especially without Shaqiri in their team. As such, I think the Irish may do enough to hold on for a point here, which would not be too damaging to their qualification hopes.
Friday 6th September – Group C
Germany v Holland
| Pos | Team | Pl | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 1 | Northern Ireland | 4 | 7 | 2 | 12 | +5 |
| 2 | Germany | 3 | 13 | 2 | 9 | +11 |
| 3 | Holland | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | +3 |
| 4 | Belarus | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0 | -8 |
| 5 | Estonia | 3 | 1 | 12 | 0 | -11 |
These two teams met back in March in the last round of Euro 2020 qualifiers and it was Germany who emerged victorious in the Amsterdam Arena. The home side had pulled the game back from a 2-0 deficit to level the game in the second half at 2-2, but in the 90th minute Nico Schulz handed Germany a vital win.
The Dutch went on to beat England in the Nations Cup Finals in the summer before losing 1-0 to Portugal in the final and they will know that if they want to land top spot in Group C, they are going to have to pick up something from this game.
Germany are very much a team in transition and the loss of Leroy Sane to long term injury is a blow as he had started to come good for the national team earlier in the year. That said, this is still a squad packed with talent and on home soil they will be confident of beating the Dutch.
Tip – Germany to win and both teams to score – 5/2
Games between these two teams have been packed with drama, and goals, of late and I can’t see how this game will be any different. Germany are not the best defensively but are dangerous going forward. The Dutch are more balanced, but I feel they lack the attacking thrust to really hurt the Germans on the road, but they will be a huge threat from set pieces.
As such, I am backing Germany to win this one narrowly but I do feel both teams will score and at 5/2 with bet365 for that, I am taking those odds.
Saturday 7th September – Group A
England v Bulgaria
| Pos | Team | Pl | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 1 | England | 2 | 10 | 1 | 6 | +9 |
| 2 | Czech Republic | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | -1 |
| 3 | Kosovo | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | +1 |
| 4 | Bulgaria | 4 | 5 | 7 | 2 | -2 |
| 5 | Montenegro | 4 | 3 | 10 | 2 | -7 |
After losing to the Netherlands, England beat Switzerland on penalties to finish 3rd in the Nations League this summer and in truth, they should pick up a very comfortable three points at Wembley this week against a Bulgaria side yet to win any of their four games in Euro 2020 qualifying so far.
Wins for England against the Czech Republic at home and then Montenegro away have given Gareth Southgate’s team a very solid start and I am expecting them to build on that with another win here.
Bulgaria do have some talented individual players, Bozhidar Kraev is a talented young midfielder while they can also call on two naturalised Brazilian-born players in Wanderson and Marcelinho.
However, there is no denying that this is one of the poorest Bulgarian teams in many a year and they are light years away from their golden generation of players that shone in the 1994 World Cup Finals in the United States, where they reached the semifinals, defeating Germany en-route, however one member of that team, midfielder Krasimir Balakov, is now the manager of the current team.
Tip – England to win 3-0 and Harry Kane to score at any time – 5/1
Although England’s defence looked somewhat ropey in the Nations League finals in the summer, I feel that Bulgaria won’t offer too much of a threat against Gareth Southgate’s team, whereas I feel England’s attack can get the better of an organised but ultimately flawed Bulgarian defence. Harry Kane is due a goal for his country and I think on home soil he is likely to get it here.
I can’t quite see England rattling in four or five goals, but I do think a 3-0 result is a solid choice and with Kane to score anytime paired with it, you can get that at 5/1 at bet365.
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