An important few days of international football awaits
All of the home nations are in European Championship qualifying action this week as the race to gain a place at the finals in France next summer reaches its final furlong.
Cyprus v Wales
Wales stand on the brink of history, and two wins in their next two outings will confirm a place in France next June.
A trip to Cyprus awaits the Dragons on Thursday evening, with expectations at an all-time high for Chris Coleman’s side.
Currently residing top of Group B on 14 points following a 1-0 win over Belgium in their last game, Wales will be hoping for a repeat of the last meeting with Cyprus, which ended in a 2-1 win in Cardiff last October.
Set to spearhead the Welsh in Nicosia is Gareth Bale, who has dazzled for his country so far in qualifying.
The winger netted the solitary goal in the 1-0 win over Belgium in mid-June, and Wales’ number eleven is priced at 7/4 to open the scoring by Sky Bet.
The same bookmaker are also offering odds of 2/1 for Bale to score and Wales to win the game.
Cyprus themselves can still achieve a second-placed finish should results go their way, and Wales’ opponents will be hoping to spoil the party and are priced at 18/5 to claim the three-points at home.
Sky Bet are offering odds of 17/20 for a Welsh win, 18/5 for Cyprus and a draw at 5/2.
San Marino v England
Roy Hodgson takes his England side to San Marino on Saturday evening with qualification almost sealed.
Following a 3-2 victory in Slovenia back in June, the three Lions are closing in on another international tournament having yet to lose a game in qualifying.
England are fully expected to pick up three-points away from home, with Sky Bet pricing them at 1/100 to win.
Wayne Rooney will be the centre of attention when the two sides lock horns on Saturday, as the Manchester United forward sits joint top as England’s record goal scorer, alongside Gary Lineker and Bobby Charlton.
The 29-year-old is priced at 9/4 with Sky Bet to open the scoring on Saturday, in what should be a comfortable victory for England.
Georgia v Scotland
Scotland are also on the road as they travel to play Georgia on Friday evening in a vital European Championship qualification fixture.
Gordon Strachan’s side go into the game against Georgia in third position in their Group D standings, with everything still to play for as Poland and Germany sit just above them.
Nothing less than a victory will keep hopes alive, with the Scots also needing results to go in their favour over the course of the next two games.
Strachan will be hoping to rely upon the likes of experienced heads, Steven Fletcher and Steven Naismith to win the game in Tbilisi.
Both players, who play in the English top-flight, are favourites with Sky Bet to open up the scoring.
Fletcher is priced at 7/2 to score, while Naismith is 7/1. Scotland are odds on at 1/1 to win ahead of the final fixture against World Cup holders, Germany, next week.
Georgia are priced at 100/30 by Sky Bet, while odds of a draw are 2/1.
Gibraltar v ROI
The Republic of Ireland make the trip to the island of Gibraltar in what should be a straight forward three-points for Martin O’Neill’s boys in green.
In the last reverse fixture between these two sides, the Republic of Ireland ran out 7-0 winners at the Aviva Stadium.
The Irish cannot qualify for the finals next summer, so will be hoping to end their campaign in positive fashion.
Veteran forward Robbie Keane, who notched a hat-trick in the previous game against Gibraltar, has been tipped to open the scoring with Sky Bet.
O’Neill’s side are firm favourites to win, and are priced at 1/50 to claim three points, meanwhile Gibraltar are 33/1 and a draw is priced at 20/1.
Faroe Islands v Northern Ireland
There will be Fleetwood Town interest when Northern Ireland travel to the Faroe Islands on Friday.
Cod Army defender Conor McLaughlin, who has become a mainstay in the Northern Irish set up recently, will be hoping to help his country reach the European Championships next summer.
Northern Ireland are second in Group F after collecting 13 points from their six games, and are a solitary point behind leaders Romania.
And Sky Bet are backing Michael O’Neill’s team to do the business on Saturday, pricing them at 4/6 to win.
You can get 5/2 on Kyle Lafferty opening the scoring and the Northern Irish subsequently winning.
The Faroe Islands are 9/2 to win, while 5/2 gets you a draw.
To view all the odds click here
Cyprus v Wales
Wales stand on the brink of history, and two wins in their next two outings will confirm a place in France next June.
A trip to Cyprus awaits the Dragons on Thursday evening, with expectations at an all-time high for Chris Coleman’s side.
Currently residing top of Group B on 14 points following a 1-0 win over Belgium in their last game, Wales will be hoping for a repeat of the last meeting with Cyprus, which ended in a 2-1 win in Cardiff last October.
Set to spearhead the Welsh in Nicosia is Gareth Bale, who has dazzled for his country so far in qualifying.
The winger netted the solitary goal in the 1-0 win over Belgium in mid-June, and Wales’ number eleven is priced at 7/4 to open the scoring by Sky Bet.
The same bookmaker are also offering odds of 2/1 for Bale to score and Wales to win the game.
Cyprus themselves can still achieve a second-placed finish should results go their way, and Wales’ opponents will be hoping to spoil the party and are priced at 18/5 to claim the three-points at home.
Sky Bet are offering odds of 17/20 for a Welsh win, 18/5 for Cyprus and a draw at 5/2.
San Marino v England
Roy Hodgson takes his England side to San Marino on Saturday evening with qualification almost sealed.
Following a 3-2 victory in Slovenia back in June, the three Lions are closing in on another international tournament having yet to lose a game in qualifying.
England are fully expected to pick up three-points away from home, with Sky Bet pricing them at 1/100 to win.
Wayne Rooney will be the centre of attention when the two sides lock horns on Saturday, as the Manchester United forward sits joint top as England’s record goal scorer, alongside Gary Lineker and Bobby Charlton.
The 29-year-old is priced at 9/4 with Sky Bet to open the scoring on Saturday, in what should be a comfortable victory for England.
Georgia v Scotland
Scotland are also on the road as they travel to play Georgia on Friday evening in a vital European Championship qualification fixture.
Gordon Strachan’s side go into the game against Georgia in third position in their Group D standings, with everything still to play for as Poland and Germany sit just above them.
Nothing less than a victory will keep hopes alive, with the Scots also needing results to go in their favour over the course of the next two games.
Strachan will be hoping to rely upon the likes of experienced heads, Steven Fletcher and Steven Naismith to win the game in Tbilisi.
Both players, who play in the English top-flight, are favourites with Sky Bet to open up the scoring.
Fletcher is priced at 7/2 to score, while Naismith is 7/1. Scotland are odds on at 1/1 to win ahead of the final fixture against World Cup holders, Germany, next week.
Georgia are priced at 100/30 by Sky Bet, while odds of a draw are 2/1.
Gibraltar v ROI
The Republic of Ireland make the trip to the island of Gibraltar in what should be a straight forward three-points for Martin O’Neill’s boys in green.
In the last reverse fixture between these two sides, the Republic of Ireland ran out 7-0 winners at the Aviva Stadium.
The Irish cannot qualify for the finals next summer, so will be hoping to end their campaign in positive fashion.
Veteran forward Robbie Keane, who notched a hat-trick in the previous game against Gibraltar, has been tipped to open the scoring with Sky Bet.
O’Neill’s side are firm favourites to win, and are priced at 1/50 to claim three points, meanwhile Gibraltar are 33/1 and a draw is priced at 20/1.
Faroe Islands v Northern Ireland
There will be Fleetwood Town interest when Northern Ireland travel to the Faroe Islands on Friday.
Cod Army defender Conor McLaughlin, who has become a mainstay in the Northern Irish set up recently, will be hoping to help his country reach the European Championships next summer.
Northern Ireland are second in Group F after collecting 13 points from their six games, and are a solitary point behind leaders Romania.
And Sky Bet are backing Michael O’Neill’s team to do the business on Saturday, pricing them at 4/6 to win.
You can get 5/2 on Kyle Lafferty opening the scoring and the Northern Irish subsequently winning.
The Faroe Islands are 9/2 to win, while 5/2 gets you a draw.
To view all the odds click here