The final Euro 2024 qualifying matchday week is upon us. Whilst many nations continue to battle for the final qualifying places, Scotland play their ultimate qualifying matches knowing they are already on the plane to Germany. We’ve put together a 5/1 boosted treble for Thursday’s fixtures.
Scotland to win – (21/20)
Georgia v Scotland
There’s a strange feeling around this game. Traditionally, when Scotland enter a final qualifying matchday week with nothing to play for, one presumes that they have already been eliminated. On this occasion, however, the Tartan Army find themselves in a dead-rubber contest since that they have already qualified.
Scotland have been exceptional this qualifying campaign. Five wins from six, including an historic 2-0 win over Spain and a comeback win away at Haaland’s Norway. Furthermore, the Scots were arguably unfortunate not to come away from Spain with a result in their last fixture, having had a goal harshly ruled out by VAR. Scott McTominay has been the unlikely hero for the Tartan army. Six goals in six matches sees the Manchester United midfielder currently ranked joint-fifth in the Euro 2024 qualifying top goalscorers’ list. There’s a real buzz around Hampden Park with many believing Steve Clarke’s men can go far in Germany.
Scotland now set their sights on topping the group. Their opponents Georgia have struggled this campaign. They currently languish in the group’s penultimate position, having only succeeded in defeating pointless Cyprus. Their defeats have included a 7-1 home drubbing at the hands of Spain. The reverse fixture ended in a comfortable 2-0 win for Scotland.
The Tartan Army have greatly improved their record against minnows over the past few years. Indeed, Scotland have not lost a game to a side ranked outside the world’s top 50 since their 1-0 defeat to Israel, over three years ago.
Consequently, Scotland’s impressive run of form is likely to continue against a Georgia side that has struggled to get off the ground this campaign.
Hungary to win – (1/2)
Bulgaria v Hungary
Hungary travel to Sofia for their penultimate Euro 2024 qualifying fixture against Bulgaria.
The Magyars enter this game knowing that only a point from their remaining two games will guarantee them a spot in Germany for EURO 2024. Hungary are undefeated in Group G with four wins from six games.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria have suffered a less fruitful campaign. Sitting at the opposite end of the table – without a win to their name. In a group that did not contain one of the typical European powerhouses, this record will be bitterly disappointing to the former World Cup semi-finalists.
In the reverse fixture, Hungary handed Bulgaria their largest defeat of the campaign with a 3-0 loss in Budapest. Hungarian and Liverpool talisman Domonik Szoboszlai got on the scoresheet that game to continue his fine form for club and country.
Bulgaria have sacked manager Mladen Krstajic after his eight-game winless run with the Lions. We don’t believe that Ilian Iliev will change Bulgaria’s fortunes. Not least, fast enough to avoid defeat against an in-form and motivated Hungary.
Slovakia to win – (4/6)
Slovakia v Iceland
The Falcons find themselves in a promising position to qualify for Euro 2024. Portugal still hold a flawless record in qualifying, winning eight from eight thus far. They won’t be caught. Slovakia have won five, drawn one and lost two matches. Both of their losses being at the hands of Portugal who are absolutely romping the group.
In the reverse fixture in Iceland, Slovakia managed to grind out a 2-1 win, with Hellas Verona winger Tomáš Suslov coming on to grab the winner in the 69th minute. Discounting the two Portugal matches, Slovakia have exhibited a rather resolute defence, only conceding one goal in six matches.
Iceland’s campaign has been littered with inconsistencies. Whether they play well feels like a coin toss and both their results against Luxembourg epitomise this. At home, they were held to a 1-1 draw and away they were humbled 3-1, with Magnusson’s late red card illustrating their frustration. Iceland have only picked up points on one occasion when playing away. Though, this was against the whipping boys of the group, Lichtenstein. One could thus be forgiven for discounting it. Their away form is much to be desired, and we think it will be still much to be desired after the end of this fixture.
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