There’s a whole host of international friendlies taking place this weekend before the players from European football’s major leagues finally get to go on their holidays after another arduous season. As well as the international games, there is the small matter of the Champions League final in Berlin between Juventus and Barcelona. Each of those games provide betting opportunities and we’ve stitched some of them together to come up with three accas of increasing odds to add some extra spice to the weekend’s footballing action.
Easy Winner – Evens (Sky Bet)
- Juventus v Barcelona over 1.5 goals (2/7) – Barcelona have some of the most dangerous attacking players in the world, each of whom is desperate to win the club’s fifth Champions League title. They will be looking to tear into a Juventus side who have the talent to score plenty themselves. Over 1.5 goals will be a shoo-in for European football’s season closer.
- Scotland to beat Qatar (2/5) – Gordon Strachan is doing a good job in charge of his national team. They will be extremely disappointed if they fail to qualify for the European Championships from their strong group position and should record another morale boosting home win against Qatar on Friday night. The Qataris are trying to build a team for the 2022 World Cup that they are (probably) hosting but they are miles away from where they need to be. An away win would be a massive upset.
- Argentina to beat Bolivia (1/7)> – Some of Argentina’s best players will be missing due to the Champions League final but their squad is still strong enough to easily overcome Bolivia who rank 92nd in the official world rankings. Even though this is merely a friendly, Argentina will be looking for a win to take some positive morale into the Copa America.
Medium Risk – 9/2 (BetVictor)
- Netherlands to beat the USA (11/20) The Netherlands have called up a strong squad for their post-season friendly against the United States. They’ve got a good record at home and Guus Hiddink is not the sort of manager to allow sub-par performances in friendlies. The home side should have enough to overcome the improving Americans.
- France to beat Belgium (11/10) – France are taking their friendly matches seriously given that they don’t have to qualify for Euro 2016, which they are hosting. They are looking to give Belgium a bloody nose given that they’ve been much hyped in recent years. However, Belgium have been less than convincing in qualifying so far and will find it difficult to record a positive result against the French.
- Lionel Messi to score against Juventus (19/20) – If Messi makes it 11 goals in this season’s Champions League he will become the first man to score in three finals. He’s in scintillating form and can rip through a defence even as strong as that of Juventus.
Long Shot – 74/1 (Bet365)
- England to beat Ireland 1-0 (11/2) – The atmosphere when England visit Ireland is going to be electric but the game will struggle to live up to the expectations of the fans. England are the stronger side and can keep the Irish attack at bay but this is unlikely to be the classic demanded by the fans.
- Costa Rica to beat Colombia (9/2) – Costa Rica were one of the surprise outfits of the World Cup in Brazil, certainly they shocked both England and Italy. They’re looking to go even further in the Copa America and can go into the tournament on the crest of a wave by beating Colombia in this warm up match.
- Scotland to beat Qatar to nil (11/10) – Qatar will cause Scotland more problems off the pitch than on it. Many Scottish fans are boycotting the game because of the scandal of workers’ rights in building stadiums for the 2022 World Cup but they’re going to miss a chance to see a handsome home win having been barely threatened by the Qataris.