BEN Levene (@benlevene96) shouts out his best fancies ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Holland v Sweden | Tuesday 19:45 | Sky Sports
I’ve seen a few of Sweden’s games this qualification campaign and have been very impressed. The
Swedes currently hold second spot in Group B and barring a miracle, will finish there.
Although unlikely, Sweden can top the group should they better France’s result and will be after a win to
ensure they are one of the top eight second placed sides from throughout the qualification process.
The Netherland’s are currently third in Group A and need to win by at least seven goals to finish
above Sweden.
I was surprised to see Holland odds-on for this encounter. This Swedish side are no rollovers.
They’ve been efficient throughout the qualification process and both of their losses have come by just
the single goal which suggests Janne Anderson’s side are competitive in games.
After their run at the 2014 World Cup, Holland failed to qualify for Euro 2016. Their current side
looks incredibly weak compared to those of the past and I can’t help but feel their previous success
is factored into the price.
They were outclassed by France earlier this season and even in some of their victories, have looked a tad vulnerable. They’ve kept just one clean sheet this qualification process and I’m not convinced.
I’ve liked the look of Sweden and despite the onus being on the Dutch, I’m happy to take Sweden
with a +0.50 start on Asian Handicap at 109/100. This pays as a winner should they avoid defeat.
Hungary v Faroe Islands | Tuesday 19:45 | Sky Sports
This is an intriguing encounter. I’ve been looking at ways to keep the Faroe Islands onside as they
are simply better than a 14/1 shot. I fancy them to outplay those odds massively.
They’ve accumulated nine points compared to Hungary’s ten and I just think the sides are more evenly
matched than the prices suggest.
The Faroe Islands have only lost to Switzerland and Portugal this qualification campaign, the sides
who have won 17 of their 18 games combined. There is no shame in that.
In fact excluding the games against Switzerland and Portugal, they have not conceded a goal. So that’s five clean sheets from five against sides outside of Group B’s top two, including the reverse fixture against Hungary.
Even against group leaders Switzerland, they lost a respectable 2-0 on each occasion. However, for
all their defensive soundness, they do lack going forwards and have scored just four goals
throughout the qualification process.
Hungary are no doubt the better side here but will be disappointed with their weak campaign. They
are still reliant on an ageing core of players and that has really shown over the last 12 months.
They come into this game having lost their last two and given there is little riding on it, there is a
possibility Bernd Stork will experiment with things.
There are a few ways to keep the Faroe Islands on side this Tuesday. Given their defensive prowess, I
think Under 2.5 Hungary team goals at 4/7 with Coral looks the value given only Portugal have
beaten this mark against the Faroe Islands in the last 24 months.
If that price is too short for your liking then the Faroe Islands with a +1.5 start on the Asian Handicap at 21/20 with Bet365 may be more in your range. This lands as a winner even if they lose by the single goal.
Best Bets
Holland v Sweden – Sweden +0.5 Asian Handicap (109/100 Bet365)
Hungary v Faroe Islands – Under 2.5 Hungary Goals (4/7 Coral)
Hungary v Faroe Islands – Faroe Islands +1.5 Asian Handicap (21/20 Bet365)
