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EURO 2024 Qualifiers Preview: Italy, Poland and Netherlands all in action
MAVERICK GAMESEuro 2024 qualifying continues with several sides looking to secure progression for the tournament next summer. Our expert takes a look at several key games, sharing his betting tips.
Italy vs North Macedonia (Friday 17th November 19:45 UTC)
North Macedonia travel to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for this Group C clash. Any chance of qualification for the away team has long since diminished, however, they have proven a stubborn opponent for gli Azzurri and can potentially hamper the host's chances of qualification, as a victory over the Balkan nation will be critical here for the home side with only two matches to go. England currently leads the table with sixteen points and a whopping sixteen-goal difference, they face Malta the same evening and need but a point to guarantee qualification albeit it is ninety-nine per cent already assured.
The games between Italy and North Macedonia in recent years have been low-scoring affairs, with the last three encounters ending with two or fewer goals. The last four matches have resulted in a win apiece and two draws, a startling accomplishment for the small nation against the EURO 2020 champions. The average number of goals scored in Italy’s last ten matches is 3.20, though they have managed to score in all of their last five home matches for an average of 2.33 goals per game. Total - Match Under 2.5 at 2.34
It's Déjà vu for Italy here as they find themselves again in virtually the same position when they failed to qualify for World Cup 2022, where they crucially needed to beat N. Macedonia. Famously they failed in this endeavor, being bested 1-0 with Hajduk Split's Aleksandar Trajkovski providing the match-winning goal. It'll be up to national stalwarts such as Juventus forward Federico Chiesa to break the deadlock and Paris Saint Germain's goal guardian Gianluigi Donnarumma to hold the line. Italian Handicap - Match -1.5 at 1.546
The Blues are third in the group with ten points, three less than second-placed Ukraine but importantly have a game in hand. The hosts must win this one and draw with Ukraine at least to qualify. The away side will struggle in this match, but with a good track record against this particular opposition and proven giant-slaying potential, we'll see if there will be tears in the stands after ninety minutes.
1x2 1.156 7.78 16.65
Poland vs Czechia (Friday 17th November 19:45 UTC)
An important Group E clash here between these two Visegrad nations, as both teams wrestle for qualification spots. The away side finds themselves in a more fortuitous position with a game in hand, though proceedings at the Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw no doubt determine qualifications chances for both sides. With Poland currently on ten points and Czechia on eleven it's all to play for, especially with group leaders Albania not far ahead with thirteen.
The Czech Republic will be on for a tough match here, though their track record against their neighbours is good as they have won five of their nine head-to-head matches. As expected, it will prove to be a tight affair, though goals are commonplace in the games with over 2.5 goals being scored in five of their last nine matches. Total - Match Over 2.5 at 2.30
Polish hitman Robert Lewandowski was in action over the weekend for Barcelona in La Liga. The perennial forward snagged a brace in the match against Deportivo Alavés, bringing them back from the brink after the side-tailed for most of the match compliments of a Samu Omorodion goal in the first minute. With eight goals and four assists in fourteen appearances for his club, his participation in events to come will be crucial as he once again finds his form after a fairly sluggish start to the season.
A tough match to call here, with the statistics leaning not too far to either side one way or the other. With home advantage and one of the world's top strikers in tow, it could be Poland's evening, though it'll be a close-run thing.
1x2 2.60 3.08 2.98
Netherlands vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday 18th November 19:45 UTC)
The Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam will host this Group B battle. Irish hopes of qualification have disappeared as they languish in fourth place with only six points to their name. A win here will be essential for De Oranje as they are currently on the same number of points as Greece with twelve, though they can take solace in knowing they have a game in hand to provide the extra opportunity in seizing a ticket to Germany next year.
It will be the final match of Ireland's UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign as they conduct their first competitive match against this opposition in the same stadium since 2000, a match which ended a respectable 2-2. Ireland enjoyed a two-goal lead well into the second half, with a header from Robbie Keane and a sublime long-range strike from Jason McAteer putting them ahead, though alas the Dutch rallied to claim a point. Regardless of the late surge from the Netherlands, the point proved crucial in Ireland's quest to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, with Ireland's 1-0 home win over the same opposition sealing their spot in the final tournament.
Leading the charge into the goalbox is Evan Ferguson. The nineteen-year-old Brighton striker has made a good account of himself in his time with the Seagulls since transferring from Bohemians in 2021 and has five premier league goals to his name this season. His inclusion will be vital for his team's efforts to save face after failing to qualify, though it'll be a tough ask to grab a win against the World Cup 2022 quarterfinalists. Dutch Handicap - Match -1.5 at 1.613
I can confidently say here that the Netherlands already have one foot in the final as they face Éire at home and if they can even manage a draw, their last game is against Gibraltar who have struggled in a potent group of world-class opposition - thus three points is all but assured. However, it could've been a much different story as their group rivals Greece held them to a 0-0 at home in Athens well into injury time only for Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk to score from the penalty spot to clinch victory. Greece has a mountain to traverse now to qualify as France provides their final opposition and a win is their only lifeline, along with relying on an Irish one.
A tough gig for the Irish away here as they finish their qualification journey, and it's well anticipated to be a Dutch victory as they look to finish the race towards Germany in style.
1x2 1.181 6.55 18.39
UEFA European Championship Qualifying - Match Day 7 Fixtures (UTC)
Wednesday 15th November
Israel vs Switzerland 19:45
UEFA European Championship Qualifying - Match Day 9 Fixtures (UTC)
Thursday 16th November
Azerbaijan vs Sweden 17:00
Bulgaria vs Hungary 17:00
Georgia vs Scotland 17:00
Estonia vs Austria 17:00
Cyprus vs Spain 17:00
Montenegro vs Lithuania 19:45
Liechtenstein vs Portugal 19:45
Luxembourg vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 19:45
Slovakia vs Iceland 19:45
Friday 17th November
Kazakhstan vs San Marino 15:00
Finland vs Northern Ireland 17:00
Moldova vs Albania 17:00
Italy vs North Macedonia 19:45
England vs Malta 19:45
Poland vs Czechia 19:45
Denmark vs Slovenia 19:45
Saturday 18th November
Armenia vs Wales 14:00
Belarus vs Andorra 17:00
Latvia vs Croatia 17:00
Netherlands vs Ireland 19:45
France vs Gibraltar 19:45
Switzerland vs Kosovo 19:45
Israel vs Romania 19:45
UEFA European Championship Qualifying - Match Day 10 Fixtures (UTC)
Sunday 19th November
Serbia vs Bulgaria 14:00
Hungary vs Montenegro 14:00
Belgium vs Azerbaijan 17:00
Sweden vs Estonia 17:00
Spain vs Georgia 19:45
Portugal vs Iceland 19:45
Liechtenstein vs Luxembourg 19:45
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Slovakia 19:45
Scotland vs Norway 19:45
Monday 20th November
North Macedonia vs England 19:45
Czechia vs Moldova 19:45
Albania vs Faroe Islands 19:45
Ukraine vs Italy 19:45
Northern Ireland vs Denmark 19:45
San Marino vs Finland 19:45
**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 10:00 UTC Thursday 13th November**
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