EMMET RYAN’S WEEKEND TIPS: It was England’s time in the spotlight on Friday night but the weekend sees the Celtic nations take centre stage in Euro 2016 betting. Let’s pick some winners.
We begin the with big one in Dublin. Group leaders Poland make the trip buoyed by a string of positive results that portray a team that can score when it likes. In previous campaigns, this team lacked a killer edge but that 2-0 win over Germany last autumn sent a message across the continent. The worry for punters is the small sample size in international football. When this column talks about Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea, there are dozens of games in recent months to base analysis on. Bettors know that too and they feel safer in the calls they make. The international game is almost a completely different sport, with months separating matches.
Poland may be able to score but this Ireland team knows one thing really well. They can keep any game tight. That’s how they pulled off a draw in Germany and that’s how they all but killed football as a concept in a narrow defeat to Scotland. The visitors may have superior quality but I like the Irish to take a point. Bet on the draw at 3.2.
Wales head to Haifa on Saturday for a game between the surprise leaders of Group B. Israel are perfect after three games, although no-one really paid attention until they thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in their last outing. Wales, likewise, hadn’t really caught the eye until the secured a surprising point away to Belgium. On Saturday one of these teams will take a big step towards overall qualification and it’s a struggle to see the Welsh repeat their autumn heroics. Israel may be far from world beaters but they possess a side with experience and familiarity. That should be enough to overcome the unquestioned talents of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale on home soil. Bet on Israel at 2.02.
Finally we look at the real surprise package of this campaign, Northern Ireland. A win over Finland on Sunday all but assures Northern Ireland of a playoff spot, their best performance in qualification in 30 years. The market has remained wary of a Northern Irish side whose only real asset is confidence but this team has oodles of it. A Finnish side devoid of any real potency can’t be fancied in Windsor Park and the home side are too good a price to ignore. Bet on Northern Ireland at 2.78 to win.
