Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Saturday’s Football Tips: Slick Spain should be too classy for Northern Ireland in Euro 2024 warm-up

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IT”s another busy day of international friendlies as some of Europe’s big guns play their final friendly before Euro 2024.

Spain are dark horses for glory in Germany this summer and will be out to grab a few goals when they take on Northern Ireland in Mallorca.

The Irish claimed one of the biggest victories in their history when they stunned the Spaniards on home soil at the 1982 World Cup.

But the squad at Michael O’Neill’s disposal isn’t as talented as the one Billy Bingham had and it’s hard to see them causing another upset against Luis de la Fuente’s men.

Spain vs Northern Ireland Top Betting Tips

Spain are red-hot 1.10 favourites with Bet365 so it’s hard finding value backing them. But a bet builder that combines a Spanish win to nil with over 2.5 goals pays 13/8 and that looks worth a punt.

De la Fuente’s side scored five times against Andorra and midweek and I’d imagine the manager will make a few changes to give players game time ahead of the finals.

Wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal didn’t feature against Andorra so should get a run-out here. Barcelona wonderkid Yamal is 6/5 for anytime scorer while the Athletic Bilbao star is slightly longer odds at 6/4.

Portugal v Croatia Top Tips

The most entertaining game today could be Croatia’s trip to Portugal with both sides scoring freely in their midweek friendlies.

Croatia beat North Macedonia 3-0 while Portugal defeated Finland 4-2 so over 2.5 goals looks pretty good value at 19/20. Adding BTTS to that bet boosts the odds to 7/5.

Backing corners paid off for me in Germany v Greece yesterday and the odds are higher than usual in that market for a friendly. Over eight corners pays 10/11 with Bet365 here and the price increases to 13/8 for over nine flag kicks.

Denmark vs Norway Top Tips

Denmark have stayed in Scandinavia for their Euro 2024 warm-ups and face Norway today after beating Sweden in midweek.

This should be a tough test for the Danes after Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick for the Norwegians in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Kosovo.

If he starts again we should see goals at both ends and over 2.5 strikes looks decent value again at 19/20.

Haaland is 6/4 for anytime scorer and is always worth backing at that kind of price, provided the Norwegians don’t rest him. He’s also a whopping 11/1 to score with a header.

Hungary vs Israel Top Tips

Hungary’s 14-game unbeaten run ended against Ireland in midweek but they should bounce back with a home win over Israel.

The Israelis are under new management and Ran Ben Shimon is missing some of his big-name players for this trip to Debrecen.

That makes me think the Hungarians should win quite comfortably and backing them to be winning at half-time and full-time pays 6/4.

  • Spain win to nil and over 2.5 goals 13/8 Bet365
  • Hungary HT-FT 6/4 Bet365
  • Over 2.5 goals in Portugal v Croatia 19/20 Bet365

Long shot

  • Erling Haaland to score a header 11/1 Bet365

Upcoming Match Previews & Tips

Racing Tips

Cairnzy’s looking for some Witch craft at Haydock Park today as he flags up a 5/1 shot.

As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.

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