Europe UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifiers, 07-12. September

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Any tips? Which underdogs are worth backing do you think?

 

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Serbia vs Hungary Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Serbia:
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic; Gudelj, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Grujic, Maksimovic, Kostic; Tadic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic; Mitrovic

Hungary:
Dibusz; Lang, Orban, A.Szalai; Sallai, Styles, Nagy, Kalmar, Kerkez; Szoboszlai; Sallai

Serbia welcome Hungary to Stadium Rajko Mitic in Belgrade in the most interesting clash of Group G. Both teams are unbeaten after the opening three Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures and both will try to extend these streaks. Serbia started the campaign in a best possible way. They secured a 2:0 home win against Lithuania and beat Montenegro in Podgorica with the same result. Dusan Tadic and Dusan Vlahovic secured the victory against the Baltic nation, while Vlahovic was a double scorer against the neighbors. Nevertheless, the Eagles dropped two points in the third round being held to an 1:1 draw in Bulgaria. It was a disappointing result for coach Dragan Stojkovic Piksi, but at the same time he was satisfied with the fact they escaped the defeat with Darko Lazovic scoring the equalizer deep into the stoppage time. Stojkovic has the majority of his players available, but Salzburg striker Petar Ratkov remain sidelined with a thigh injury, while Porto midfielder Marko Grujic is doubtful due to muscle injury. Aleksandar Mitrovic should lead the line as he is in excellent form. The Al-Hilal player has scored four goals in just three Saudi Pro League games. As a result Vlahovic will have to be between the reserves.

Hungary are first in Group G thanks to the better goal-difference and they will try to remain leaders. Of course, they must avoid a defeat in Belgrade. The Hungarians started good and they managed to beat Bulgaria and Lithuania, both at home, while played a goalless draw at Montenegro. The strong defense is a key for success - Hungary are yet to concede a single goal in the qualifications. Coach Marco Rossi is doing an excellent job and the fans are satisfied. Some of the results should be respected, like the away victory against Germany almost a year ago (23.09.2022). England were also between the victims. The Magyars have suffered just one defeat in the last 10 fixtures. Rossi has no important players missing, even the goalkeeper Péter Gulacsi from RB Leipzig has returned from a long-term knee injury. But many things on this match depend of the inspirations of two key players. The first is striker Roland Sallai, the only one with a double-digit number of goals in the national team at the moment (10 goals). The second is Dominik Szoboszlai, who has impressed in his first four matches for Liverpool in the Premier League. The midfielder scored a beautiful goal against Aston Villa last weekend and will be the one to watch for the visitors.

Serbia vs Hungary Prediction:

Their latest mutual game between Serbia and Hungary came in March last year when the Eagles celebrated a narrow 1:0 win as guests. However, the Hungarians won 1:0 the last match played on Serbian soil, in October 2020. As You can imagine, it is hard to predict the winner. That is why I will suggest goals. None of the previous three mutual games between these rivals provided three or more goals. I think the series will continue.

Serbia vs Hungary Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.65 with Pinnacle

 

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Slovakia vs Portugal Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Slovakia:
Dubravka; Pekarik, Skriniar, Vavro, Hancko; Duda, Lobotka, Kucka; Suslov, Bozenik, Mak

Portugal:
Costa; Pereira, Dias, A. Silva; Cancelo, Palhinha, Fernandes, Dalot; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Leao

Slovakia welcome Portugal to Tehelne Pole in Bratislava on Friday night. Both national teams are unbeaten so far - Portugal have collect maximal twelve points, while the Slovaks are only two points worse off. That means a victory here could see Slovakia as new leaders in Group J. But beating the former European Champions led by Cristiano Ronaldo is all but easy. However, the actual form is good and I believe the players confidence is high after the last three victories in the group. The start of the campaign was almost frustrating as Francesco Calzona's men played a goalless draw at home with Luxembourg. However, Slovakia managed to register three victories in the next three matches, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The improved defense is a key for success as they have conceded just one goal so far. If something needs intervention, that's the attack. Slovakia have earn big 10 points by scoring just five goals. Of course, the results will take precedence over the performances and the fans are satisfied. But this match is very important, a positive result here is exactly what they need. Calzona has all key players ready, including the veteran Juraj Kucka. The 36-year-old should win his 100th cap for the national team. Martin Dubravka from Newcastle, Stanislav Lobotka from Napoli and Milan Skrinjar from PSG are also expected to start.

Portugal are the leaders in Group J and they will try to remain first. The Selecao had a good start and they managed to win all four games. New coach Roberto Martinez found a way to include Cristiano Ronaldo in the national team and the fans are happy, something Euro 2016-winning boss Fernando Santos failed in Qatar. What is more important, the results are excellent - four wins in the first four matches in the qualifications. Portugal managed to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Iceland. Even more, Ronaldo and his teammates have scored 14 goals and kept their own net untouched. France and Hungary are the only other national teams with such perfect defensive records in Euro 2024 qualifying. On the other side, their total of 14 goals scored makes them the second-best attacking nation in the groups behind England (15). Martinez has some missing players, including the new Manchester City man Matheus Nunes. In addition, Raphael Guerreiro, Nuno Mendes and 40-year-old centre-back Pepe are also not included, while Rafa Silva and Joao Mario have both called time on their international careers. The midfield is arguably the best part of the team with two stars from Manchester clubs - Bruno Fernandez and Bernardo Silva.

Slovakia vs Portugal Prediction:

Slovakia are second in the group with 10 points from four matches. However, nobody is impressed by their attack. The fact is they have scored five goals. Just for comparison, Portugal have netted 14 goals, Iceland 8 and Luxemburg 4. Slovakia are struggling for goals and I don't see a way to upset Portugal in this match. On contrary, 38-year-old Ronaldo is in fine form having scored six goals in his opening four league games with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Bruno Fernandez and Bernardo Silva will surely provide several opportunities to their captain. I think Portugal are much closer to the victory. Even more, they are able to win with at least two goals.

Slovakia vs Portugal Pick: Portugal -1.5 AH @ 2.42 with Pinnacle

 

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Ukraine vs England Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Ukraine:
Lunin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Krystov, Mykolenko; Stepanenko, Sydorchuk, Zinchenko; Yarmolenko, Vanat, Tsygankov

England:
Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Chilwell; Bellingham, Rice, Henderson; Saka, Harry Kane, Rashford

Ukraine and England will play at neutral ground, at the Stadion Wroclaw in Poland. The Three Lions are leaders in Group C with 12 points from a possible 12, while the Ukrainians are second with six points from three matches. Italy shouldn't be forgotten, even they have just three points at the moment. The Azzurri were part of the final four of UEFA Nations League and didn't play much in the qualifications. One win from two matches isn't something to be proud of, but at the same time means their chances are still realistic. Considering that, it is clear the points from this match are very important for both teams. Ukraine already lost to England, but as guests. They also had big problem in Skopje as Macedonian national team had a two-goal advantage after the first half. However, Sergiy Rebrov's men were excellent in the second half and turned out the result, winning 3:2 at the end. Three days later Ukraine have obtained another tough victory, beating the European minnows Malta with 1:0 courtesy of a Viktor Tsygankov penalty. Nevertheless, Rebrov is surely satisfied with 6 points from the last two matches. He has some issues ahead of this match as midfielder Mykola Shaparenko and Ruslan Malinovskyi are out injured. On the positive note, Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko, who missed out the last matches, has recovered from a calf problem. Everton left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko is rated as doubtful.

England are leaders in Group C with maximal effect - four matches, four victories. The atmosphere in the national team is very good, while the players confidence is high. The victories over Malta and North Macedonia were somehow expected, but the other two deserved respect. The Three Lions beat Italy as guests and Ukraine at home. Gareth Southgate's men have scored 15 goals in the qualifications, more than any other national team. Furthermore, England haven't lost a match at this stage since October 2019 when they suffered a 2:1 defeat to Czech Republic in Prague. England are big favorites in this clash, particularly because the opponents have no classic home advantage. Southgate has big injury worries ahead of this clash. Jack Grealish from Manchester City and Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool have both failed to recover in time for this match. Their absence is a big handicap, but there is more. Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, John Stones and Raheem Sterling are also sidelined through injury, while Callum Wilson, Levi Colwill and Bukayo Saka are rated as doubtful. The medical team is optimistic about the trio and they should be at Southgate's disposal here. Harry Maguire will probably start in the heart of the defense despite the fact he is only a reserve in Manchester United. The 30-year-old has played only 23 minutes this season.

Ukraine vs England Prediction:

I expect an efficient match in Wroclaw. England have very good attackers, Saka, Harry Kane and Rashford are all in hot form - not to mention the exploits of Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid. So, I expect goals from England and I think they are able to score three. But Ukraine will try to upset Pickford, no doubt about that. Knowing that Maguire is out of confidence, it is very possible to score too.

Ukraine vs England Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.83 with Pinnacle

 

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Italy vs Ukraine Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Italy:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Cristante, Tonali; Zaniolo, Zaccagni, Immobile

Ukraine:
Bushchan; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Kryvstov, Mykolenko; Tsgankov, Stepanenko, Zinchenko,

Italy welcome Ukraine at Stadium San Siro in Milan in the crucial match of the group. The losers here will probably lost their chance to qualify for EURO 2024. Italian coach Luciano Spalletti will try to register his first victory as the national team coach. He replaced Roberto Mancini who decided to left Italy to become Saudi Arabia's new coach. The Azzurri were close to secure the victory in Skopje against the Macedonian national team on Saturday, but conceded in the finish of the match and dropped two points. Italy captain Ciro Immobile headed home the opening goal in the 47th minute, while Enis Bardhi equalized with a stunning free-kick. Spalletti said the bad pitch was a key reason for poor display and I agree. To be worse, two players suffered injuries in Skopje. Roma defender Gianluca Mancini and Napoli striker Matteo Politano are both unavailable due to thigh and calf injury respectively. Spalletti decided not to call a replacement for Mancini, while Bologna's Riccardo Orsolini has been added to the squad following Politano's withdrawal. Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled out of the Italy squad prior to Saturday's match in Skopje.

Ukraine are second in the group with 7 points from four matches. They have two wins, one draw and one defeat. The defeat at England in the opening fixture in March was somehow expected and so far the only one. Sergiy Rebrov's men were victorious in Skopje three months ago, winning 3:2. The Macedonians had two-goal advantage after the first half, but goals by Zabarnyi, Konoplya and Tsygankov turned out the result. June was a good month for the Ukrainians as they registered another victory against Malta. It was a tough victory, they narrowly won 1:0 thanks to Tsygankov's penalty. On Saturday Ukraine faced England and the match ended in a 1:1 draw. The Yellow-Blue players were backed by 40,000 fans in the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw (the hosts are unable to play in their own country because of the war with Russia). Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko put Ukraine ahead after 26 minutes, but England needed a moment of brilliance from captain Harry Kane to set up the equaliser four minutes before half-time. However, Rebrov is surely satisfied with seven points from the last three matches. He has some fresh injury issues ahead of this match as Nikolai Matvienko and Mykhaylo Mudryk suffered injuries against England and they are both rated as doubtful. Finally, Mykola Shaparenko and Ruslan Malinovskyi are not called because of injury.

Italy vs Ukraine Prediction:

England are leaders in Group C with 13 points, while Ukraine head into this clash in second place with 7 points. Italy, meanwhile, are 3 points further back in third position, but played a game less. I think the first place is reserved for England, while Italy and Ukraine will try to finish as second. The Azzurri are big favorites as they have the home advantage. This match will be played in Milan and the fans will give a big support to their players. Italy should win here.

Italy vs Ukraine Pick: Italy to win @ 1.50 with Everygame