Sport

Martin Laurence Previews the est £40,000 Pick 8 Rollover

This week I’m tacking the est £40,000 Pick 8 Rollover. Join my Syndicate HERE

 

Azerbaijan vs Northern Ireland

After a surprisingly strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, keeping three clean sheets to pick up 7 points from their opening three matches, Azerbaijan have suffered heavy defeats back-to-back. The first of those came against Michael O’Neill’s side, who brushed the underdogs aside at Windsor Park with a comfortable 4-0 win to get their own bid back on track.

The Green and White Army sit second in Group C and while they’ve only picked up one of ten points away from home, they’ve faced the toughest two teams in Germany and Czech Republic on the road so far. Azerbaijan should be a more straightforward test by comparison, and while the hosts will look to defend resolutely the visitors have the knowhow under O’Neill to negotiate such a challenge.

Away Win

Scotland vs England

While a very good win against Slovenia kept Scotland’s qualification hopes alive last time out, it was a result that ensured Gordon Strachan has been given more time despite many fans calling for his head. The Tartan Army had disappointed to that point after all and while a 3-0 reverse against England flattered the hosts back in November, Southgate’s men will be strong favourites once more.

The Three Lions have yet to concede in qualifying so far and while a return of 8 goals in 5 games is underwhelming, to say the least, they have ample quality to break down a questionable Scotland defence.

Away Win

Norway vs Czech Republic

The Scandinavians may have home advantage but that doesn’t change the fact that this Norway side is among the poorest they have produced in a disappointing recent history. The only points that the hosts have picked up in qualifying thus far have come against San Marino, and even then they conceded what was only the second away goal the minnows had netted in 15 years.

Czech Republic are no great shakes either at this point in time but they boast a decent defensive record and in Patrik Schick they also possess one of the top young strikers on the continent. This will likely be low scoring, but the visitors should get a result.

Away Win or Draw

Lithuania vs Slovakia

Lithuania were the surprise package of Group F early on but consecutive defeats have seen them fall to fifth, while Slovakia have found their feet after a disappointing start. Jan Kozak’s men fell to narrow defeats against England and Slovenia but have brushed the rest aside in impressive fashion, scoring 10 and conceding just once to record three wins in a row.

The biggest of those victories was a 4-0 triumph over Saturday’s opponents and now that they are in the driving seat for second spot the visitors can’t afford to slip up in games such as this.

Away Win or Draw

Finland vs Ukraine

While this is far from the strongest Ukraine side in recent memory, Finland have fallen to four successive, albeit narrow defeats and are completely out of the running in Group I. The hosts’ only point came in their opening game against a Kosovo side playing their first ever competitive international, while the visitors only defeat came at the hands of table-toppers Croatia, losing just 1-0 away from home.

Ukraine could only win the reverse fixture at home 1-0 but have made a decent start under the nation’s greatest ever player Andriy Shevchenko. Dropping points here in the race for qualification from a competitive group would be disastrous.

Away Win or Draw

Republic of Ireland vs Austria

Following a morale-boosting friendly win over Uruguay, Martin O’Neill’s side will look to carry on the momentum of a strong start to their qualifying campaign on Sunday. Austria were well fancied at Euro 2016 but an underwhelming showing certainly seems to have knocked their confidence, having only beaten Georgia and Moldova to this point in Group D.

The Boys in Green are unbeaten and won the reverse fixture 1-0 as they continue to show a strong resolve under the current management, conceding just once in their last four qualifiers. A draw wouldn’t be the worst result this weekend given the teams they are sandwiched between, Serbia and Wales, go head-to-head.

Home Win or Draw

Iceland vs Croatia

The toughest game to predict on the Pick 8 ticket this weekend, Sunday’s meeting between the top two in Group I could go either way. Croatia came out on top when the two sides met in November but Iceland are back at home this time around, where they have beaten Finland and Turkey in their two group matches thus far.

The hosts haven’t lost a competitive game in Iceland in ten matches spanning over four years, but Croatia’s record this campaign is impressive, keeping four consecutive clean sheets to lead the way from Sunday’s opponents by three.

All Selections- Home Win, Away Win or Draw

Serbia vs Wales

After a bitterly disappointing qualifying campaign for the European Championships, this talented Serbia side is finally making progress under Slavoljub Muslin. Top of a competitive Group D on goal difference, they’ve scored 12 times in 5 games thus far, while Wales are struggling at present having drawn four consecutive matches.

Chris Coleman’s side can of course call upon Gareth Bale but the Madrid forward isn’t exactly at peak match fitness and away from home this will be a tough ask to revive their hopes of qualifying for back-to-back tournaments.

Home Win or Draw

 

 

Martin Laurence

Martin is the content manager for WhoScored.com

You can follow more of his tips on Twitter @WSTipster