Greece U17 vs England U17
FreeToday’s featured game is the U17 game in Liechtenstein between Greece and England. Both sides are polar opposites when it comes to both ability and potential at this level and I’m expecting that to show tonight.
Greece were undone by Turkey in their opening game, losing 3-1. As this game was a derby and Turkey has had a habit of producing better players in recent years, the result wasn’t a great surprise. What also didn’t surprise me was that both sides lost their heads and had a man dismissed as immaturity can be rife at this level, naturally. Greece were outplayed in that game and you have to expect them to finish bottom of the group, realistically. They concede too easily and lack the quality that all of their opponents in this group have to a larger proportion. I gave Greece a chance of taking something from their game against Turkey due to the intense rivalry between the two nations but they failed to produce the goods in that game so I don’t see why their game against the best side in the group tonight should be any different.
England U17 were a different class against Czech Republic’s U17s. Don’t get me wrong; the Czechs aren’t great at this level, but England were simply immaculate with some fantastic attacking football, lightning pace, and excellent composure. England’s kids looked ready to be in the U21s, basically, which has given England an advantage already in this competition. The way they knocked the ball around, the way the Czechs barely left their own box (let alone their own half!), and the way that England bombarded the Czech goal irrespective of the scoreline showed great professionalism and their efficiency was high. I rate England’s chances of winning this tournament very highly indeed if this kind of performance is produced consistently and I’ve been quoted odds of 5/2 on England to win it, which I think is a worthwhile bet too.
Basically, without a trace of bias, England are twice the side that Greece are and with Greece conceding goals for fun and England scoring them for fun, you have to feel that backing England on the handicap tonight is a worthy bet.
Verdict: England U17 to beat the -1.75 handicap at evens.
Friday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Turkey U17 vs Czech Republic U17 – Turkey U17 to win at 11/10.
There’s not an awful lot to write about here, unfortunately. However, Turkey outclassed bitter rivals Greece last match in some style and will take great confidence from that result. Czech Republic were run ragged by a rampant England side and will no doubt bring some weariness into this game as a result. I expect a closer game than either of these two sides’ opening group games were because they’re a closer match but despite the Czechs’ solid defending and the Turks’ occasional wayward finishing, the Turks are generally far more innovative and better overall so you have to favour them today. Czech Republic must go in search of three points today too in order to boost their chances of getting out of this group so this should remove their dogged defence, enough so for Turkey to create chances. Either way, the odds of 11/10 for a home win in this game look good odds to me.
Verdict: Turkey U17 to win at 11/10.
SCR Altach vs Salzburg II – home win at 1/2.
These odds are too long. Altach have to win this game to maintain hopes of promotion and they’re facing a side that has nothing to play for. Altach have already won ten out of sixteen home games this season with an average of over two goals scored per game so they’re always a threat on their own turf. Their momentum has stuttered of late following back-to-back draws with a disappointing number of goals scored but their promotion dream is very much alive so they can’t afford to wallow in their own dejected mannerisms. They’ve got two games remaining and need to win both and they’ve got a good chance today against a side that have already lost nine out of sixteen away games this season. Salzburg II were on a great run and I’d be more concerned had they not abandoned their little momentum burst of late by losing two out of their last three games against mediocre opponents. Salzburg II aren’t a side to breeze past but I expect Altach to win this one from a quality and motivation perspective when they should really be 1/4 in accordance with the odds the bookies usually give on Liga 1.
Verdict: SCR Altach to win at 1/2.
Denmark U21 vs Qatar U21 – Denmark U21 to beat the -1.75 handicap at evens.
I like this one an awful lot. Denmark U21 surprised a lot of people in their opening game against Russia U21, including me. I was aware of their capabilities as they showed against Serbia U21 in the not-too-distant past but didn’t think they’d emulate them against Russia U21 – how wrong I was! Denmark dominated that game from start to finish, even when they didn’t need to. Russia were damn lucky to score with what was a very dubious penalty and Denmark frankly deserved the high scoreline that it resulted in. Denmark were strong, quick, first to the ball every time, clinical, and strong in the air – everything that Russia weren’t on the day. If Denmark produce that display again tonight, I’m very confident they’ll score a similar number of goals. My only concern would be whether motivation might be a factor as they’re now facing lesser opponents but that’s a bonus if it’s the only concern I have!
Qatar U21 didn’t do their reputation any harm against Chile U21 by putting in a spirited display and even showing how their football level has risen in recent years due to heavy investment, playing some nice football and scoring two goals. Woeful Chilean defending certainly played its parts but there were some lovely skills from the Qatari boys and they scored a beauty of a free-kick too so they are capable – certainly not the side that you all remember from FIFA International back in 1990! However, Qatar most notably suffered in defence against Chile, particularly in the air, which I expect to do a lot of damage to them today. Chile aren’t the biggest side but they domianted the air against Qatar. Qatar’s opponents today, Denmark, are good in the air so Qatar could have real problems today. I expect another spirited display from them but I think they’re going to get outclassed in every part of the field tonight instead of just in attack and midfield as it was against Chile.
Ultimately, if Denmark show up as they did last match, this game should be a whitewash. Qatar won’t lie down but Denmark were purring like a well-oiled machine last match in every part of the field so I’m confident backing them to walk this game too.
Verdict: Denmark U21 to beat the -1.75 handicap at evens.
Chile U21 vs Russia U21 – Chile U21 to win at 6/5.
This should be one hell of a close game so keep punts low guys. I’m sticking my neck out here and I would urge you all to keep an eye on it in-play before betting but I do like the idea. Chile’s attacking against Qatar was magical – they boys looked like they were already come of age, particularly Jorquera, the playmaker. Defensively, they were shoddy but then again so are most (if not all) south american sides so it wasn’t something unexpected. However, going forwards, they looked dynamite and their enthusiasm didn’t waiver in the game so I think they’ve got a lot going for them. Russia were particularly sleepy in defence against Denmark and although they’ll get a different type of game tonight, I still think they’ll be caught out at the back. I’m apprehensive about the possibility of Russia exploiting Chile’s defensive weakness but Russia look quite poor in attack (as usual) so I think a punt on Chile here is worthwhile. Either way, I expect plenty of goals and an all-round good game so it’s worth your while one way or another!
Verdict: Chile U21 to win at 6/5.
Accumulator fodder:
Spain U17, England U17, SCR Altach, Admira Wacker, Wacker Innsbruck, Denmark U21.
Recommended bets:
SCR Altach, Admira Wacker, and Wacker Innsbruck at 2/1.
Spain U17, England U17, and Denmark U21 at 2/1.
As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
UEFA European U17 Championship:
Spain U17 vs Switzerland U17 (8) -1.75 handicap
Turkey U17 vs Czech Republic U17 (7) 2-1
France U17 vs Portugal U17 (6) 1-1
Greece U17 vs England U17 (8) -1.75 handicap
Austrian Liga 1:
Lustenau vs Gratkorn (5)
SCR Altach vs Salzburg II (8)
Wacker Innsbruck vs Hartberg (8) over 2.5 goals
Admira Wacker vs First Vienna (9)
Austria Vienna II vs Dornbirn (4)
St.Polten vs Austria Lustenau (5)
Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:
Naftan Novopolotsk vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk (4) 1-0
Vitebsk vs FC Minsk (6) 0-0
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
Haka Valkeakoski vs AC Oulu (6) 1-1
International Friendly:
Estonia vs Finland (6) under 2.5 goals
International Friendlies – Toulon Tournament (played in France):
Denmark U21 vs Qatar U21 (8) -1.75 handicap
Chile U21 vs Russia U21 (6) over 2.5 goals
Irish Premier League:
Bray Wanderers vs Drogheda United (6) 1-1
Dundalk vs Sligo Rovers (5) 0-0
Galway United vs UCD (5) 1-0
St.Patrick’s Athletic vs Bohemians (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Shamrock Rovers vs Sporting Fingal (6) 2-1
Russian Division 1:
Energiya Khabarovsk vs Shinnik Yaroslavl’ (6) under 2.5 goals
Luch-Energiya Vladivostok vs Dinamo Bryansk (7) under 2.5 goals
KamAZ Nab Chelny vs Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast (5)
Rotor Volgograd vs Nizhnyi Novgorod (6)
Salyut Belgorod vs Zhemchuzhina Sochi (7)
Avangard Kursk vs FK Krasnodor (5)
FK Khimki vs Baltika Kaliningrad (7)
Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod vs Irtysh Omsk (6)
Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan vs Mordova Saransk (4)
Kuban Krasnodor vs Dinamo St.Petersburg (7)
Singaporean S-League:
Balestier Khalsa vs Armed Forces (6) 0-1
Swedish Superettan:
Landskrona BoIS vs GIF Sundsvall (6)
Swiss Play-Out:
Bellinzona vs Lugano (4) 1-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!