There’s a lot of Euro 2024 qualifying action on Friday night and a treble comprising Wales, Denmark and Greece could yield a decent return.
Wales face Armenia at the Cardiff City Stadium, Denmark tackle Northern Ireland in Copenhagen, while Greece host the Republic of Ireland in Athens.
Recommended treble: Wales to beat Armenia, Denmark to beat Northern Ireland, Greece to beat Republic of Ireland
- Wales to beat Armenia
- Denmark to beat Northern Ireland
- Greece to beat Republic of Ireland
More heroics expected from Nathan Broadhead
Wales vs Armenia
Wales have been a proud footballing nation for many years, but ever since the Dragons reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 there has been an extra passion in their supporters.
The home fans will be expecting their team to beat Armenia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night – and the players in the Welsh dressing room should be supremely confident too.
Wales can be the first leg of a Euro 2024 qualifiers treble. Rob Page's team have negotiated two games in Group D without defeat and the 48-year-old knows the importance of winning home games to keep their Euro 2024 hopes alive.
Page has said that four points from their first two games was the target so Wales are on course for the finals, which will be staged in Germany next summer.
Nathan Broadhead was a hero for Wales in their opening Group D contest. His late equaliser secured a point against Croatia in Split, then Wales followed that with a 1-0 home victory over Latvia.
Wales followers were heartbroken with how last year's World Cup went – they failed to win a match – but punters should focus on how excellent the team has been in recent years in European qualification games at home.
Formbook students have to go back to 2011 – when England won 2-0 in Cardiff – for the last time Wales were beaten in a home European Championship qualifier. They have won nine of 12 homes games since that defeat to their neighbours and can further bolster that statistic when Armenia come to town.
Armenia have lost their last four games in Euros qualifying, a sorry streak which included a 9-1 beating at the hands of Italy, and their leaky defence again looks vulnerable. Former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsay is set to captain Wales.
Denmark vs Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland supporters have travelled to Copenhagen more in hope than expectation than their team can get something from the game. Northern Ireland have won only four of their last 15 matches and look vulnerable against the dangerous Danes.
The Green and White army will sing their hearts out at the Parken Stadium but their team are low on confidence. The Uefa Nations League provided another blow for morale, with only one victory in six matches. They have won only two of their last nine matches across all competitions.
Michael O'Neill's charges enjoyed a soft opening fixture in Group H – a trip to San Marino. Northern Ireland saw off the traditional whipping boys of European football 2-0, but three days later faced much tougher opposition in the shape of Finland. A 1-0 home defeat to the Finns has left O'Neill and his team knowing that their trip to Denmark is crucial.
Commitment from Northern Ireland seems guaranteed for 90 minutes, but they are unfortunate that Denmark should be equally determined for the duration. The Danes, having crushed Finland 3-1 in their opening Group H outing, were stunned by Kazakhstan in their last fixture.
All seemed well for the Danes when Rasmus Hojlund put them 2-0 up against Kazakhstan – Hojlund was following up his hat-trick against Finland by terrorising the Kazakhs – but the outsiders fought back with three goals in the final 17 minutes. That stunning comeback left Danish boss Kasper Hjulmand fuming. He will be demanding there are no similar slip-ups against Northern Ireland.
Denmark are blessed with a spine of players who have Premier League experience, starting with former Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel in goal. Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Manchester United's Christian Eriksen are part of a formidable Danish midfield. They should prove too classy for Northern Ireland.
DENMARK TO BEAT NORTHERN IRELAND
Greece manager Gus Poyet
Greece vs Republic Of Ireland
Complete the treble with Greece, who are such tough opponents when they are playing at home. The Piratiko have been defeated just once in their last 16 home matches.
Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has been full of beans, trying to convince his troops that they can pull off a famous victory, but a Greek success seems the most likely result.
Former Chelsea star Gustavo Poyet is the Greece manager and he knows the OPAP Arena in Athens will be pumping for this match. There are just three places between the two sides in the world rankings but the record of Greece on home turf gives them a definite edge, of which punters should be taking note.
Greece beat Gibraltar 3-0 in their opening European qualifier in March, laying the foundation for Poyet and his men to build a qualification attempt. Greece have not made it to the last two Euros and they were disappointed to land in a group this time with France and the Netherlands.
Having two of Europe's big guns in their section means Greece have no margin for error in home matches against the other members of the group. There will probably be some attacking intent from the off from Poyet's boys.
Punters should ignore the goalless home draw Greece had against Lithuania in a friendly last time out. The Greeks bring an intensity to competitive matches which is missing for friendlies and their team spirit often wins the day.
Ireland have won just two of their last ten away matches in Euros qualifying. The two triumphs were against Gibraltar. It has been an age since the Boys in Green defeated quality opposition on their travels - that came when they beat Wales away in a 2017 World Cup qualifier.
GREECE TO BEAT THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
