Tough tests for home nations

Much of tomorrow’s focus will be on England’s clash with Italy, but there is an entire programme of international fixtures to look forward to, including an intriguing test for Northern Ireland, who are 13/8 to beat Finland.

Michael O’Neill’s men head into the home clash at Windsor Park in torrid form, having lost their last five international matches.

Finland, meanwhile, have lost just twice on their last five outings and were surprise winners against Turkey less than three months ago.

It is surprising, then, that the Scandinavian outfit are also locked on odds of 13/8 to win the game, as they appear have the edge in form.

Northern Ireland are placed 101 in the latest FIFA World Rankings, with Finland, who will look towards Rubin Kazan hitman Alexei Eremenko for goals, sitting at a more respectable 72.

The draw is available at 9/4, but a price of 13/8 on a Finland win is too good to ignore.

Elsewhere, Scotland welcome Australia to Easter Road on Wedneday evening for an encounter that has the potential to go either way.

The Scots’ recent form has been inconsistent, although there was nothing uncertain about the manner in which the USA went about dismantling Craig Levein’s men in their last match three months ago.

Australia are without a win since February, with their last two matches against Oman and Japan finishing all square.

It’s unsurprising, then, that so little separates the two teams in the match betting, though Scotland are the slight favourites at 6/4, ahead of Australia at 7/4.

But given the Socceroos’ knack for stalemates in recent months, the draw market at 23/10 is probably the real value option here.

With both teams likely to feature players who will have their own upcoming domestic commitments weighing on their shoulders, it’s unlikely that either set of players will have the drive to take this contest by the scruff of the neck.

Wales are another of our home nations who will play on home soil on Wednesday evening as they welcome the often unpredictable Bosnia-Herzegovina outfit to Parc y Scarlets.

The Welsh are without a win in two following disappointing home defeats to Costa Rica and Mexico, where they failed to score on either occasion, while their Eastern European opponents have also found it tough in recent months, crashing to defeat in each of their last five matches, albeit against strong opposition.

The trip to Wales for Bosnia-Herzegovina is followed by European Qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Latvia, and Safet Susic’s men will undoubtedly be eyeing a hat-trick of wins.

Chris Coleman’s Welsh Dragons will be aiming to extinguish that dream at the first hurdle, but with both teams priced at 13/8, the former Fulham boss, preparing for his first qualification campaign as national coach, will be anticipating a close contest.

The price of 9/4 on a draw again offers good value for money, but both teams have incentives to win this one, and home advantage under a coach who is keen to impress may just be enough to see Wales home.

The last of our home nations, Republic of Ireland, will be aiming to dispel memories of an arduous Euro 2012 campaign when they head east to face Serbia, who themselves will be keen to prove a point after failing to qualify for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Serbia are the strong 5/6 favourites for this game, with a confidence-low Ireland priced at 10/3 to salvage some pride at the end of a tough summer campaign.

The draw at 5/2 offers would be a reasonable pick depending on conditions, but it’s tough to see past a comfortable victory for Serbia in this one, with a 2-0 scorecast at 13/2 offering particularly good value.

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