Live on Skysports 1: Tue 19.45: In Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualifiers, N. Ireland are 7/4 () to do a double over Slovenia.
Battling Northern Ireland were a goal to the good in Serbia on Friday and missed a glorious opportunity to double their advantage; that wasted chance was to prove costly as the hosts overturned the deficit to collect all three points but Nigel Worthington’s men showed enough in Belgrade to suggest they can turn things around at Windsor Park as they face Slovenia.
Northern Ireland have already beaten the same opposition in the current qualifying competition, grabbing the only goal in Maribor and with home advantage, they look decent value at 7/4 with to do the double over Matjaz Kek’s men.
It looks set to be a close encounter and goals could be at a premium in Belfast, especially as Kyle Lafferty misses out for hosts but the likelihood of a low-scoring affair is reflected in Stan James’ market best of 8/13 for the contest to feature fewer than 2.5 goals, a bet that would have paid in four of Slovenia’s five matches.
However, a total of under 1.5 goals (6/4, William Hill) isn’t out of the question and braver punters might fancy risking a few quid on Worthington’s troops bagging the only goal, a 6/1 shot at Coral.
By contrast, goals could be plentiful in Kaunas where Lithuania lock horns with Spain. The European champions have played four matches so far, scoring a dozen times and conceding four while the pair’s meeting in Salamanca ended 3-1 to Vicente del Bosque’s charges.
Away from home, the Spanish beat Scotland 3-2 and with goals leaked in all of their games except the trip to minnows Liechtenstein, it could be worth considering bet365’s 6/4 for both teams to score or the same bookie’s 17/20 for the contest to produce three or more goals.
Belgium got their qualification bid back on track on Friday as they struck twice without reply at Austria and they can build on that result with a comprehensive victory against Azerbaijan. However, at just 1/5 with Paddy Power, there’s little scope for profit in backing just a home win so instead we’ll speculate on the extent of the potential success for Georges Leekens’ team.
The visitors were well beaten in Austria, going down 3-0 and that supports the case for a Belgium win ‘to nil’ (4/6, Paddy Power) while 888Sport offer a slightly skinnier 8/13 in the handicaps, where the hosts start from a goal behind. Buoyed by their triumph in Vienna however, Belgium can coast this and Boylesports rate them at 8/5 to come out on top by at least three clear goals.
Recommended Bets:
Northern Ireland to beat Slovenia – 7/4 ()
Both teams to score in Lithuania v Spain – 6/4 (bet365)
Belgium (-2) to beat Azerbaijan – 8/5 (Boylesports)
Compare all Euro 2012 odds and bet at the best price.
