Scotland and Wales’ Nations League promotion hopes rest on their results on Wednesday night as they prepare to face Israel and Finland respectively.
The Scots need to regroup after losing last time out to Slovakia, but they know that a win will earn them promotion to the top flight of the Nations League.
Wales will be promoted if they do not lose to Finland on Wednesday evening and it promises to be a busy night with England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland also in action.
After ending their 23-year wait for a major tournament, Scotland still have the chance to make more history this week.
If they win, they will be promoted to League A, where they will play the likes of France, Spain and Belgium.
A victory would also offer the potential of a playoff spot for the 2022 World Cup and Steve Clarke’s side know they can get the better of Israel.
Wednesday’s meeting will be their fifth in two years and third in less than four months. Scotland progressed on penalties in the last encounter, and they have the momentum heading into the game and are worth backing at 17/10.
Wales only need a point to qualify, but a win would secure promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. Like Scotland, a playoff qualifying spot is on the cards and Ryan Giggs’ men are in good form of late.
Goals have been hard to come by, with Wales scoring just three goals in their last six. However, they only have one defeat in that time, and they are 37/20 to win to nil.
Relegation Looms for Troubled Republic
Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland will need to be at their best on Wednesday as they welcome Bulgaria to the Aviva Stadium.
Kenny will be without 13 of his regular squad and he has yet to see his side win since taking charge of his first game against these opponents in September 2019, a run of seven matches.
The former Dundalk coach says there are reasons to be optimistic, but Wednesday’s game is vital to their future. If they avoid defeat, they will remain in League B, but Bulgaria gave them problems when they played out that 1-1 draw in Sofia.
With confidence low in Ireland’s camp, it is worth taking them on, and Bulgaria double chance is 20/21.
Time for Southgate to Tinker
Unfortunately, England’s game against Iceland is a dead rubber on Wednesday, with Belgium ending the Three Lions’ chances of progressing to the Nations League Finals on Sunday.
They will finish third no matter what happens so Gareth Southgate may give some of his fringe players a runout.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish was England’s best performer during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat and should again get the nod from the start, and he is worth backing to score anytime at odds of 6/4.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s relegation hangs on UEFA, with the governing body yet to make a decision after Romania’s game with Norway was postponed.
It has all got very messy for Ian Baraclough’s side after their failure to qualify for the European Championships, and motivation could be an issue this week. Both teams are low on confidence, and under 1.5 goals has every chance of landing at 8/5.
*All odds correct at time of writing
