Wag goes through Monday’s competitive UEFA soccer schedule and picks the best bet from each match.
My first soccer preview for American Betting Experts results in a stalemate as I correctly predicted six out of twelve betting lines. The biggest shocker of Friday’s games was how easily Ukraine dealt with Serbia’s brute attacking force. Out of some of the closely matched games from Friday, the home team won most of those games. My 1 tie prediction was correct as I am “That Guy” but won’t make a tie prediction in Saturday’s games. Although there are more tightly contested games on Monday, I don’t think there will be as many tie’s as there were on Friday. Let’s start profiting on these games!
Bulgaria 2:0 Kosovo
Bulgaria hosts Kosovo on Monday for their second meeting in the European Qualifiers. This would be Bulgaria’s fourth game as it will be Kosovo’s third game of these qualifiers, but the two teams couldn’t settle the difference in a previous match as they played to a 1-1 tie in March. Kosovo was the better team as they dominated Bulgaria in possession and shots taken. Bulgaria will look to gain more momentum in these qualifiers and be the “best of the rest”.
PICK Bulgaria Money Line at (+100) with SugarHouse.
Latvia 1:3 Slovenia
Slovenia visits Latvia for their fourth games in Group G as Latvia are still looking for their first point of the European Championship Qualifiers. Slovenia had a strong outing visiting the Austrians on Friday as they look to continue their momentum heading into Latvia on Monday. Slovenia has to get out of their funk of consistently finishing games 1-1 which must frustrate Jan Oblak as he holds the most clean sheets and goals allowed in the La Liga this year. Latvia hosted Israel Friday…. However, Latvia had a great showing against group favorites Poland holding them off to a 2-0 defeat. But I think Jan Oblak will get his first Clean sheet this qualifying tournament and Slovenia gets away with a win.
PICK Slovenia Money Line at -177 SugarHouse.
Spain 1:0 Sweden
Spain host Sweden as the top 2 favorites of Group F matchup on Monday. Spain took a vacation at the Faroe Islands on Friday as the Spaniards dominated the hosts. Simply put, it’s just not a fair game for the Faroe Islands but everybody needs to give it a shot. This will be Spain’s real test in these qualifiers, although Norway did make a run for their money in Spain. The Swedes were dominant against Norway, however, they shocked giving away 3 goals. As long as the Swedes don’t let Morata turn for a shot on goal, let David Silva put Pedro in behind, or Ramos with a flying header Sweden should win this game. El Oh El. Spain is at home as well, although it will be a somewhat close game, I’m rooting for the Spaniards.
PICK Spain Money Line at -315 with SugarHouse
Poland 2:1 Israel
Favorite Poland host Israel for a showdown to control Group G in these European Championship qualifiers. Poland took care of business on Friday beating North Macedonia to total 9 points in their group. Three wins out of three games for Poland. Israel also took care of business visiting Malta as Israel sits in a comfortable second place in Group G. Robert Lewandowski has had a slow start getting onto the score sheet for Poland, compared to Israel’s
Eran Zahavi who has been quite the pleasant surprise in these qualifiers. Those are the two players to watch for on Monday, however, I think Poland will come away with a comfortable win.
PICK: Over 2.5 at -106 with SugarHouse
Denmark 4:0 Georgia
Georgia looks to win two games in a row after taking care of Gibraltar on Friday sitting in third place. Denmark got unlucky on Friday as they manage to dominate Ireland in every aspect of the game, but wasn’t able to come away with three points as they tied Ireland 1-1. Denmark will be looking for their first win of the European Qualifiers on Monday and Georgia and I don’t think Georgia is going to cause any problems. In fact, Denmark is looking for its first win of 2019. Denmark is the clear winner in this game and I think they are going to win big. The oddsmakers have predicted a total of 2.5 goals.
PICK: The Over 2.5 at (-134) with SugarHouse.
North Macedonia 0:2 Austria
North Macedonia and Austria had very strong showings on Friday against their opponents, but the Austrian’s were able to be on the right side of the scoreboard. North Macedonia came out slow after the half and let the Poles score the only goal of the game. Austria was able to capitalize against Slovenia after Arnautovic’s shot was saved and followed through by Burgstaller for the only goal of the game. This is the first-ever meeting between the two countries and I won’t misjudge the Austrians this time as I believe they will travel home with 3 points.
PICK: Austria Money Line at (+100) with SugarHouse
Ireland 5:0 Gibraltar
Gibraltar visits Ireland on Monday as Gibraltar are still looking for their first point of the qualifiers. Ireland managed to hold off Denmark Friday and have a 3 point lead over second place Switzerland, who still have a game in hand. Shane Duffy scored the late goal to give the Irish a point after the final whistle. There is not too much to this game as another opponent of Gibraltar’s odds are at -10,000 giving Gibraltar a zero percent chance to win this game. After betting the Over in Gibraltar’s last game calls for me to be the Under the following game. Ireland hasn’t been effective up front and because of that,
PICK: Under 4.5 a (+104) with SugarHouse.
Faroe Islands 1:3 Norway
Norway pays a visit to the Faroe Islands as the two nations of Group F kick off on Monday. Norway are looking to bounce back after forfeiting a 2 goal lead in the final 15 minutes of the game, and they are still waiting for their first win of the qualifiers. The Faroe Islands had a tough task against Spain but it was a moral victory for the Islanders as they have scored in three straight games. Norway will control this game as they tend to control the midfield with youngster Martin Odegaard. Instead of betting a boring Norway money line, the oddsmakers have yet again given us a gift allocating the over/under at 2.5 goals. I would be screaming at you if you don’t bet the Over!
PICK Over 2.5 at (+116) with Sugarhouse.
Ukraine 4:0 Luxembourg
Ukraine will be home on Monday as Luxembourg look to share a shocking lead of Group B along with Ukraine. Ukraine embarrassed my Friday prediction losing to Serbia as they thrashed Serbia 5-0. Luxembourg’s first-half goal was enough to come away with a point against Lithuania Friday. The Ukraine and Luxembourg previously played each other in these qualifiers with Ukraine coming away with a 2-1 victory after a Luxembourg own goal off a set piece in the 93rd minute. Although Ukraine was the more dominant team, Luxembourg exposed them on the counter-attack after Ukraine would lose possession. I do not think Luxembourg will come away with a result away from home.
PICK: Over 3.5 at (+138) with Sugarhouse.
Serbia 2:0 Lithuania
Serbia looks to bounce back after embarrassing themselves, and more importantly me, losing by five goals against Ukraine. Serbia are shockingly in the last place of Group B sharing the spot with Lithuania as the winner look to jump ahead Portugal, with Portugal having a game in hand. Luka Jovic will be looking to get onto the scorer’s sheet quickly. Lithuania doesn’t have much of chance. This is probably their best chance to create any noise in Group B with Serbia’s moral sitting at its low point. 1 goal scored in the qualifiers won’t get you into the Euro Cup. Serbia are overwhelming favorites heading into Monday, so we bet the over/under this match!
PICK: Under 3.5 at (-159) with Sugarhouse.
Czech Republic 3:1 Montenegro
Montenegro visits the Czech Republic as they look to get their first win in these qualifiers. They couldn’t find the winning goal against Kosovo on Friday after a very even game. The Czechs took care of business in their Friday qualifying game beating Bulgaria 2-1. The Czechs managed to bounce back after an early deficit proving their grit and willingness. I don’t see Montenegro putting too much of a fight, and the away teams don’t typically do well in these qualifiers. I think Patrick Schick will be on the scorers’ sheet for the Czechs as they try to make up ground on group leaders England.
PICK: Czech Republic Money Line at (-162) with Sugarhouse.
Malta 1:2 Romania
Romania pays a visit to the small island nation of Malta on Monday as they look to get closer to second place Sweden in Group F. Malta lost their Friday game to tough opponents Sweden where Romania managed an incredible comeback against Norway. Although Malta proved not to be the worst team in Group F, they may as well be happy being the second worst team as they will fall to Romania. It will be a nice getaway for the Romanian squad. However, the oddsmakers are not doing us any favors by picking the obvious money line, so why don’t we finish off with another over/under bet.
PICK: Over 2.5 at (-115) with SugarHouse.
