This week, it’s all about UEFA European Championship Qualifying. The English Premier League, La Liga, and Italian Serie A take a backseat to 55 teams looking to make the 20-team EURO 2020 field. Check out 4 of the most interesting matches this week, along with it’s latest soccer odds!
Top Soccer Betting Picks for the Week – March 18th Edition
👕 European Qualifiers for #EURO2020 🏆 🗓️ March to November 2019 🆚 Fixture list 👇
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@UEFAEURO) 18 de marzo de 2019
UEFA European Championship Qualifying
Belgium vs Russia
- When: Thursday, March 21
- Soccer Odds: Belgium -369 / Russia +832
Belgium is a different team than the one that made it to the World Cup Semifinals in 2018. They are, however, still one of the top national teams in Europe, having won 5 of their last 7 matches. Although Romelu Lukaku is likely to sit this one out, Michy Batshuyai should pick up the slack.
He’s scored 4 goals in the last 6 Belgium matches. Even though Switzerland dominated Belgium in the UEFA Nations League in their last match, with Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens helping Batshuyai, they should easily handle Russia. Take Belgium.
Soccer Betting Prediction: Belgium 2, Russia 0
England vs Czech Republic
- When: Friday, March 22
- Soccer Odds: England -335 / Czech Republic +864
This should be a handicap wager as the Czech Republic appear way overmatched. England will be at close to full strength: Deli Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Marcus Rashford are all ready to roll. Not only that, but Gareth Southgate won’t allow the English to fall backward in their first Euro 2020 Qualifying match.
The Czech Republic will fight hard, but it’s impossible to keep this English team from knocking in goals. Kane, Rashford, and Sterling could all score. Play the favored English on the handicap.
Soccer Betting Prediction: England 3, Czech Republic 0
Portugal vs Ukraine
- When: Friday, March 22
- Soccer Odds: Portugal -244 / Ukraine +659
Defending Euro Champion Portugal starts their quest for the repeat by battling Ukraine on Friday. The Portuguese should benefit from Ronaldo’s return. Ronaldo dominated Atletico Madrid in the second leg of Juventus’ victory in the Round of 16 Champions League last week.
He’ll have no trouble dominating the Ukraine on Friday. Here’s another match where taking the favored team on the handicap should yield much better results than backing them to win on the moneyline. Portugal rolls to an easy 3 goal win.
Soccer Betting Prediction: Portugal 3, Ukraine 0
Italy vs Finland
- When: Saturday, March 23
- Soccer Odds: Italy -338 / Finland +858
This is a tough match to handicap simply because Italy doesn’t play as forward as many might expect. The Italians missed out qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. They most definitely want to qualify for Euro 2020. However, Roberto Mancini prefers to play a defensive style that revolves around ball control and only being aggressive when an opportunity arises.
That could keep Finland in this match well into the late part of it. In fact, if the Italians run out to a 1-0 lead, they’ll most likely play keep away the rest of the match and only go for another goal if Finland over plays an offensive push.
Italy will win. It won’t be all that exciting.
Soccer Betting Prediction: Italy 1, Finland 0
