The qualifying event for the 2018 World Cup in Russia begins in Europe on Sunday evening as the first three groups start out in their quest to make it to the big party. Groups C, E and F get underway on Sunday which means England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are among the sides in action.
Group C
This is the group which Northern Ireland fans will be focused on and their side have it tough right from the start with a trip to fellow Euro 2016 finalists Czech Republic. San Marino entertain Azerbaijan in the low key match of the night while defending champions Germany head to Norway to begin their title defence.
Group E
One of the most wide open groups begin with three low key matches you would have to say. Romania entertain Montenegro while Poland will look to get over their Euro 2016 penalty heartache when they head to Kazakhstan. Demark host Armenia hoping to make it back to another World Cup.
Group F
This is the group which houses England and Scotland. England open up the Sam Allardyce era with a trip to Slovakia looking to overturn their draw in Euro 2016 against them while Scotland face an easier task away to Malta. The other game in the group sees Lithuania hosting Slovenia.
Betting
I like betting on these international qualifiers although I usually leave it a couple of rounds before I get too involved. I especially usually leave this September leg alone because the major leagues have only just begun or in some cases yet to begin so I’m going to keep bets to a minimum here.
Scotland will have been smarting at being the only home nations side to be sat at home watching Euro 2016 and I’m expecting them to be extra motivated early on in this qualifying campaign. They head to Malta on Sunday night looking to nail an early win and I expect them to get it.
If they can keep Michael Mifsud quiet then there isn’t a lot else to worry Gordon Strachan’s men. Nobody else in the Malta squad for this match has more than three goals at international level so although Scotland are missing some defenders I don’t expect them to be tested in that area.
With the likes of Robert Snodgrass, Darren Fletcher and Oliver Burke in the squad Scotland have enough creativity to open Malta up and win the game. If they score early this should turn into a comfortable night’s work so I’ll take the Scots on the Asian lines.
Of the rest of the matches I suspect England are too short against a Slovakia side who blazed an early trail in their Euro 2016 qualifying group which included Spain. Germany should win in Norway but the line is about right and none of the really big handicaps interest me. Value hunters could do worse than a small punt on Northern Ireland at around 5/1.
Tips
WON – Back Scotland (-1.25AH) to beat Malta for a 4/10 stake at 2.05 with Bet365
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