Friday's Best Football Betting Picks
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
While some countries still hold hope of securing a place at the European Championships in Germany, other sides are already beginning their preparations for a shot at glory this summer.
With most European sides in action during the international break, we've compiled some of the best betting picks from the upcoming action on Friday.
Netherlands vs Scotland - BTTS; Over 2.75 goals
Both sides cruised through qualifying to secure a place at EURO 2024 this summer. The Netherlands finished second in Group B behind France, while Steve Clarke's Scotland raised eyebrows when they also finished runners-up in Group A, six points ahead of Norway in third.
The pair will meet in Amsterdam on Friday evening (7:45pm UK time) as both step-up their EURO preparations, with the tournament now just three months away. The home side rightly enter strong favourites after winning six of their eight qualification matches, including three of their four games at home. They also averaged two goals per game at home.
🇳🇱©️
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 18, 2024
📸: @OnsOranje | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ZFIuOwzlsq
Scotland, meanwhile, also impressed in attacking columns; Clarke's side scored 17 goals in qualifying, averaging 1.75 per game, with a 21% conversion rate. They did not fare as well defensively, though, with 1.25 goals conceded in away matches. They will also be without defenders Grant Hanley and Scott McKenna for the game.
With all this in mind, a high-scoring match can be expected at the Johan Cruijff ArenA as both sides look to hit the ground running before the summer.
Both teams to score - 23/20 @ UniBET
Over 2.75 goals - Evens @ LiveScoreBet
Read our full preview for Netherlands vs Scotland HERE!
Spain vs Colombia - Spain win; Over 3 goals
The European champions from 2008 and 2012 were rampant in qualifying, scoring a whopping 27 goals and conceding just six on their way to topping Group A. Five of those eight matches also saw them score over 2.5 goals, and their games averaged a total of 3.3 goals overall.
Meanwhile, Colombia's games have averaged only 1.5 total goals, but they most recently secured an entertaining 3-2 away victory in Mexico.
Expect the home side to secure a seventh win in eight games in a high-scoring encounter at the London Stadium.
Spain to win - 4/5 @ 10Bet
Over 3 goals scored - 16/13 @ vBET
Read our full preview for Spain vs Colombia HERE!
17-year-old Pau Cubarsí receives his first call-up for Spain 🇪🇸 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/4S6yxehW6i
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 15, 2024
Romania vs Northern Ireland - Romania to win
An impressive EURO 2024 qualifying campaign concluded with Romania topping Group I. Edward Iordanescu's side won six of their matches and drew the other four to remain unbeaten.
The home side were stable at both ends of the pitch, averaging 1.6 goals per game while conceding only 0.5. They also kept six clean sheets.
Such form compares with that of the away side; Michael O'Neill's side won only three matches during qualifying, two of which came against the unfancied San Marino. They eventually finished fifth in Group H, averaging less than a goal a game (0.9) while conceding 1.3. Anything other than a home victory in Bucharest would be a shock.
Romania to win - Evens @ BetMGM
Read our full preview for Romania vs Northern Ireland HERE!
Norway vs Czech Republic - Norway to win
Norway were denied passage to a first major tournament in 24 years after finishing third in Group A during EURO 2024 qualifying. Three wins in eight games wasn't enough, as they kept clean sheets in only 20% of matches. Their goalscoring form was impressive though, averaging 1.75 goals per game, and they scored at least three goals in 40% of matches during qualification.
The away side head to Oslo buoyed by automatic qualification to the EUROs this summer, though their away form during the campaign is a cause for concern heading into this match; a failure to score in two of their four games on the road meant they could only win once, while drawing two and losing one of the remaining three matches.
Expect the extra firepower of a Norway side led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard to secure a much-needed home victory on Friday to raise spirits after another failed attempt at securing a place in a major tournament.
🔵🇳🇴 Despite some small fitness issue in the recent days with the national team, Erling Haaland will regularly start for Norway.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 21, 2024
Both player and coach confirmed he’s fit and ready to play. pic.twitter.com/BkCgfzWYtH