International breaks are never pleasant to any football lover across the world. However, if a winning bet slip can be produced during club football’s final interval of the year, then all can be forgiven. With the best players in the world on showcase during the FIFA break, we once again take a look at matches to punt on, while also looking for value in each fixture.
21:45 – Belgium v Denmark
Its winner takes all in Wednesday’s League A Group 2 showdown in the Nations League where Belgium and Denmark look to book their spot in next year’s finals. Belgium currently lead the standings and come off the back of beating England 2-0. Denmark also claimed a much-needed win under their belt, but had to sweat for their victory over Iceland. Belgium won the reverse fixture 2-0, while they also carry the tag of being the number one ranked side in world football.
21:45 – Bosnia & Herzegovina v Italy
A win for Italy will see them through as group leaders despite what will be considered an underwhelming campaign. The Italians have amassed just nine points from their opening five matches, winning two times. They are, however, unbeaten with three draws. Bosnia & Herzegovina are the only winless team in the group, although they did manage to hold Italy to a draw in these sides’ previous encounter.
21:45 – England v Iceland
England have nothing to play for in their final Nations League encounter against Iceland after their hopes of progress through to the knockout stages were dashed by Belgium. With just two wins in five games and only three goals scored, two of them being penalties, England will exit the Nations League with very little positives to take. Iceland famously beat the Three Lions back in the 2016 Euros, but have been dreadful this term, losing all five of their group stage matches.
21:45 – Poland v Netherlands
All hope is not lost for Poland and Netherlands as both nations still have an outside chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament next year. In order to claim top spot, Poland and the Netherlands will need nothing short of victory and hope Italy slip up in their matchup against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Frank de Boer claimed his first win as Netherlands boss this past Sunday and will be hoping to emulate his side’s previous result against Poland and stretch their unbeaten run to five matches.
02:30 – Serbia v Russia
Russia lost for the first time in their group stage campaign when they went down 3-2 to Turkey this past Sunday. Andrey Semenov received his marching orders for Russia as early as the 23rd minute, so perhaps we shouldn’t read too much into the 2018 World Cup hosts’ last tie. Aleksandar Kolarov has been left out of the squad for Serbia, while Luka Milivojevic has tested positive for COVID-19. The home side are the only team in the group yet to win a game, while Russia have so much still to play for.