Handicap Bets to Watch This International Weekend - 04/09/21

Life hasn’t been that simple for Didier Deschamps since his France side were crowned world champions in 2018 and after a disappointing European Championships campaign, Les Bleus didn’t exactly impress in their opening match of the international break.

Stumbling to a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Deschamps will be without key defender Jules Koundé for their trip to Ukraine, who was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle midway through the first half. Despite romping to a 7-1 victory against the Eastern European side last autumn, France could only pick up a point against the Blue and Yellows when the two met earlier this year.

With capable players amongst their ranks, don’t be surprised if Ukraine cause France even more problems when they face each other on Saturday evening and that’s why we’re backing a Ukraine +1 handicap at 5/4.

It’s 23 years since Norway last competed at a World Cup finals and if there’s one man who deserves to be playing on the biggest stage of all, it’s talismanic striker Erling Haaland. The Borussia Dortmund forward opened the scoring in their 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, with another opportunity for goals coming up this weekend.

It was Haaland’s first goal of this World Cup Qualifying campaign and the 21-year-old will be tipped to net in Norway’s first competitive meeting against the Baltic nation since 1999. Only minnows Gibraltar have conceded more goals than Latvia in Group G and Dainis Kazakevičs’ side could be in for a long evening when they welcome Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and co. on Saturday.

Goals should be in hot demand for Ståle Solbakken’s World Cup chasing Norway team, making a -2 handicap at 9/4 a sensible bet.

Heading into Euro 2020 many expected a depleted Spanish side to be packing their bags and leaving the tournament early. A semi-final appearance was somewhat of a shock for Luis Enrique’s side and La Roja will be keen to build on their European Championship performance in this month’s international break.

Whilst they may currently sit top of Group B, their World Cup Qualifying results haven’t blown sides away so far, with the visit of Georgia on Sunday another difficult test of Lo Roja’s resilience. A 92nd minute Dani Olmo strike was needed to separate the two in March and a similar scrappy affair will likely await Spain.

Despite winning three of their four previous meetings against Sunday’s opponents, Spain have never scored more than two goals in one match against Georgia and a +2 handicap for the visitors at 21/10 could turn out to be a shrewd selection.

England will no doubt take three points off minnows Andorra when the sides meet on Sunday night, with the only question what scoreline will Gareth Southgate’s side win by. Looking to maintain a 100% record against the small nation sandwiched in between the Pyrenees mountains, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and their fellow Three Lions attackers will likely have their eyes set on a bagful.

Out of the teams in Group I, only San Marino are ranked lower than Andorra and Koldo Álvarez will be hoping his side are able to defend better than they did the last time they travelled to Wembley Stadium. Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe netted twice for England, with other strikes form Peter Crouch and Frank Lampard capping off a resounding 6-0 win.

It could be a long night for Josep Gómes in the Andorran goal and for that reason we’re backing a -4 England handicap at odds of 4/5.

Germany will be looking to extend their 100% record against Armenia when Joaquín Caparrós’ team travel to face the five-time world champions. Putting six past them the last time the two met in 2014, Hansi Flick’s men will be baying for blood in Stuttgart.

Despite their previous success against Armenia, Die Mannschaft did lose their last home World Cup qualifier against similar level opposition in North Macedonia. Germany will be wary of the threat they pose, but a shock victory for Armenia is an unlikely prospect.

It should be a comfortable evening for Flick’s side when they welcome Armenia on Sunday night, with a +3 handicap.

By Amos Murphy