Given the short gap between the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, the European nations in question are already more than halfway through their campaigns as they bid to reach the next major tournament. In some cases, it has been business as usual as the higher-profile nations look to join hosts Germany as soon as possible, yet there have been some groups that have been throwing up surprises. Two automatic qualifying spots per group takes away some of the jeopardy, yet we have witnessed a wide array of shock scorelines as some of the continent's mid-range teams threaten to gatecrash the party.
Just like you can take note of the valuable sports geek betting tips, Finland will be sensing that they can take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself in Group H. The Scandinavian outfit are one of four nations separated by just one point - the others being Slovenia, Denmark and Kazakhstan - with all four teams having lost at each one game. Finland's first came on matchday one - a 3-1 reverse in Denmark - but they have responded with four wins from five, inflicting Slovenia's only defeat as they prevailed by a 2-0 scoreline in Helsinki on June 16. The reverse encounter takes place on Saturday and with Slovenia having shown vulnerabilities against out-of-sorts Northern Ireland in September, we cannot ignore the 7/2 that is on offer for Finland to record the double.
Such has been their transformation over the past two years that Hungary are favourites to overcome Serbia on Saturday. Ever since Marco Rossi's side drew with England two years ago, they have only lost three times, as well as recording three wins over England and Germany along the way. Hungary also got the better of Serbia in Belgrade as recently as September, yet Serbia are one of two teams - the other being Italy - that have overcome Hungary over the past 24 months. That success came in March 2022 at the very same stadium that they will meet this weekend, and although Hungary are on an eight-match unbeaten run, the pressure of topping Group G may affect them, leading to the betting odds of 7/4 for a Serbia victory looking attractive.
Wales and Croatia have been regular foes of late, being paired together in qualifying for Euro 2020 and once again for this campaign. The Dragons have failed to win on all three occasions, but the most recent two fixtures have ended in 1-1 draws. Wales rode their luck to claim a share of the spoils in Split back in March, while their squad is currently severely depleted due to injuries, some to key players. Nevertheless, you can never write off Robert Page's side in Cardiff, and backing a draw at betting odds of at least 2/1 is justified, particularly when Wales have longer to prepare and Croatia are facing Turkey three days earlier.
The wildcard pick of the latest fixtures could be Greece to overcome Netherlands in Athens. When these teams met Eindhoven last month, Netherlands breezed to a 3-0 victory, one that was required to catapult them back into contention for the top two courtesy of their games in hand. However, Republic of Ireland pushed them all the way in the following match, Oranje only winning 2-1, and Netherlands must play host to France three days before this contest. If France win that game and Greece overcome Republic of Ireland, Greece will have a scenario in front of them where they can move six points clear of Netherlands if they beat Ronald Koeman's team on Sunday. It is all ifs and buts, but the 23/10 (draw no bet) feels like an open goal for punters when the Netherlands squad is as weak as it has been for some time due to a number of injuries.
Although Slovenia could get turned over by a Finland side whose star men in Jere Uronen, Robert Taylor and Teemu Pukki all ply their trade in MLS, they should still have enough resolve to overcome Northern Ireland in their following fixture. Northern Ireland are currently on a five-game losing streak, albeit with four of those defeats ending 1-0. The other encounter was a 4-2 win for Slovenia in which Michael O'Neill's side pushed their hosts far more than many would have anticipated, but that will have taken away any complacency in the Slovenian ranks. Betting odds of approximately 6/4 are available for an away win in Belfast.
