Three intriguing matches across Europe on Tuesday as qualiying for the World Cup 2018 in Russia starts to wrap up.
Holland v Sweden
Holland head into this match with little or no chance of claiming 2nd and a World Cup qualifying playoff spot. That\’s because Sweden, who currently occupy 2nd three points clear, have a +12 goal difference and thus the Dutch need to win by a seven-goal margin. It\’s ironic given the fact Dutch manager Dick Advocaat said there\’s no way Sweden would win 8-0 v Luxembourg, who promptly then won by that exact result. Sweden themselves can still win the group if they achieve a better result than France. So expect an open game here, and unsurprisingly both teams to score is just 1.53. However, that can be boosted to 1.83 by taking over 2.5 goals as well. 16 of Holland\’s last 22 games have seen both teams to score (73%) and 13 of Sweden\’s last 21 qualifiers away from home have seen both teams score (62%). Holland\’s matches have averaged 3.32 goals per game and Sweden\’s 3.14 pg in these periods. Pick: Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals 1.83 at various BMR green list bookmakers.
Portugal v Switzerland
Portugal need a win to take Group B from Switzerland on goal difference and book an automatic spot at the World Cup when they face each other at the Stadium of Light in Benfica. Switzerland won the opening game of this group 2-0, but Portugal outshot their opponents 25-8, yet were without Cristiano Ronaldo, and he can be the difference this time around. Ronaldo has 15 goals already in qualifying, and since the beginning of last year, 24 goals in his last 23 games. He contributes 44% of their goals, and despite Switzerland having only conceded 5 goals, it\’s a soft group and they conceded twice in both meetings with Hungary. Pick: Ronaldo anytime goalscorer 1.90 (888Sport)
Greece v Gibraltar
A win will take Greece to next summer\’s World Cup and at 1.02 it should be a formality against cannon fodder in Gibraltar. The recently formed Gibraltar have conceded 43 goals in their 9 qualifiers (4.78 per-game) and provide Greece the perfect opposition for the win they need. Including their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, they\’ve conceded 50 goals in 9 away games (5.56pg). There\’s no doubt their standard is terrible, proven as recently as Saturday as goal shy Estonia won 6-0 away. Greece scored four in the away tie but have the capabilities to grab more and backing the -4 handicap at odds against looks a good bet with a score of 5-0 or 6-0 likely. Pick: Greece -4 2.10 (Betfair)
Calculators
