IT’S been nothing less than complicated with one and sometimes two Nations League tournaments running at the same time.
The group stages finally come to a close on Wednesday with a massive card of 18 games.
Matches include England vs Iceland, Israel vs Scotland, Wales vs Finland and Northern Ireland vs Romania.
As my area of Scotland is set for another extensive lockdown it seems strange to me that footballers are travelling all over Europe risking more infections. But that’s the way it is and on Tuesday the latest victim of the pandemic was Switzerland vs Ukraine.
Scotland travel to Israel for their third game in seven days and a win will guarantee them top spot in B2 and promotion to join the A listers. In reality the Scots need to match or better Czech Rep’s result at home to Slovakia. I’ve posted a preview of the game.
The Nations League qualifying process for making the World Cup isn’t easy to grasp but there are two places available so three points could be vital for Scotland when it comes to deciding which non-qualifiers are awarded these spots.
We have a couple of match previews and predictions so check them out.
England can’t win A2 after losing to Belgium but I expect them to beat Iceland with something to spare. Belgium need a draw at home to Denmark to seal top spot but should get all three points.
Group A1 is more interesting with Italy on nine, Holland on eight and Poland on seven ahead of Bosnia vs Italy and Poland vs Holland. So any of three countries could top the table but my money’s on Italy even at a short price.
Austria need a point at home to Norway to tie up B1 while Northern Ireland must beat Romania to avoid the drop.
Hungary entertain Turkey in B3 and either can finish top if Russia don’t win at Serbia. We saw how bad the Serbs were against Scotland and while they held Hungary after making many changes I expect Russia to beat them or at worst draw.
In B4 there’s a winner-takes-all tie between Wales and Finland although a draw will be enough for the Welsh while Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria fight each other to stave off relegation.
North Macedonia are top of C2 and will stay there if they win at Armenia. However, if Armenia win they’ll leapfrog the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Greece vs Slovenia decides C3 with the home men needing to win to climb above their visitors and Belarus need a point at Albania in C4.
So we know the state of the teams so it’s just about picking out some tips.
In South America Argentina travel to winless Peru in the South American qualifiers and there are more Under-21 qualifiers.
On Tuesday my Top Treble twice became a double with call-offs but fell at the first hurdle with a disappointing defeat for Scotland Under-21s in Greece as they failed to qualify.
Highlight of Tuesday was Spain’s 6-0 win against Germany and it could have been more so poor was the Germans’ defending.
Well done to all the winners, including Scott Allot with a Super Single fro members only, and good luck on Wednesday.
Top Treble
- Scotland not to lose
- Czech Republic
- Russia draw no bet
- (16-5, boylesports)
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