League football takes a backseat this week as we head into the international break, during which we’ll focus on three friendly internationals and suggest a bet for each one.
THURSDAY 21 MARCH
PORTUGAL v SWEDEN– Click here to bet
Portugal, currently ranked 7th in the FIFA standings, aims to utilize this opportunity to refine their squad ahead of the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament scheduled for June. Despite the friendly nature of the match, Martinez and his team are eager to deliver a compelling performance on home turf. Guided by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo, they hold optimism regarding their prospects, buoyed by their recent impressive form and the dominant record they have maintained over the Scandinavians in recent meetings. Portugal enters this encounter boasting a near-perfect record, having secured ten consecutive victories with nine clean sheets in the process.
Sweden, presently placed 26th in the FIFA rankings, arrives in Portugal amidst some uncertainty. With their failure to qualify for EURO 2024, newly appointed head coach Dahl Tomasson faces a challenging task ahead. As the first foreign-based manager to lead Sweden, he hints at a potential overhaul and restructuring. The response from the players on the field will be intriguing, considering that motivation, or its absence, could significantly influence this friendly match, despite securing back-to-back victories in their recent outings.
Head-To-Head
Portugal has demonstrated dominance against Sweden, securing consecutive clean sheet victories and winning four out of their last five encounters.
Portugal enters this clash as resounding favourites, a position justified by their current form and favourable head-to-head statistics against Sweden. While Sweden’s newly appointed head coach may bring about positive changes in the future, it is expected that progress will take time to manifest.
Recommended Bet: Which Team To Score? Only Portugal at 12/10
SOUTH AFRICA v ANDORRA– Click here to bet
South Africa, currently ranked 58th in the FIFA standings, enters this friendly warm-up match in Algeria on the heels of an impressive third-place finish in the AFCON tournament. With four wins, one draw, and one loss in their last six games, Bafana Bafana aims to maintain their recent momentum as they prepare to face the lower-ranked Andorra this Thursday evening. However, certain aspects of their preparation for this encounter have been less than ideal. Head coach Hugo Broos expresses confidence in his players’ readiness for the challenge despite the gruelling 30-hour flight ordeal to Algeria.
Andorra, currently ranked 164th in the FIFA rankings, will be desperate to overturn their dismal run of form, having last tasted success back in 2022 when they overcame Liechtenstein 2-0 in the United Nations League. The Tricolours are currently on a five-game losing streak, having not registered a single goal in any of those encounters. This takes their total tally to ten losses from their last thirteen outings.
Head-To-Head
This Thursday marks the inaugural meeting between these two nations.
It’s difficult to advocate for Andorra given how poorly they have been performing leading up to this warm-up match. With no prior comparison to draw from, it will be challenging to assess how the two teams will approach the game on the day. Despite concerns about travel weariness, South Africa should just about prevail come Thursday.
Recommended Bet: Result And Totals, South Africa And Under 2.5 at 15/10
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FRIDAY 22 MARCH
SPAIN v COLOMBIA– Click here to bet
Spain, currently ranked 8th in the FIFA standings, will travel to London to face Colombia in an international friendly this Friday. Having dominated their UEFA EURO Qualifiers by clinching the top spot in group A, La Roja arrive at London Stadium with significant momentum on their side. Riding an eight-game winning streak, they aim to extend their impressive run in this warm-up match as they prepare for EURO 2024 in June. However, key players such as Rodri, Morata, and Joselu remain side-lined due to injuries, while Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has received his first senior call-up for the national team.
Colombia, presently ranked 14th in the FIFA rankings, will be eager to secure a victory against their European opponents this Friday. With a current four-game winning streak, Colombia enters the match with high confidence. Despite never having defeated Spain before, head coach Néstor Lorenzo has signified his intentions by including James Rodriguez, who has recently returned to the national team, along with Premier League regulars Luis Diaz and Luis Sinisterra in the squad.
Head-To-Head
Spain and Colombia have previously faced each other twice, with Spain registering one win and one draw. Their most recent encounter ended in a 2-2 draw in an international friendly back in 2017.
Both teams have arguments in their favour considering their recent form. However, matches between these two sides are rare, adding to the intrigue of this encounter as there’s limited historical data for comparison. Being played at a neutral venue further adds to the unpredictability. Therefore, I anticipate an entertaining game similar to their previous encounter. For this reason, it may be best to focus on the goal market rather than predicting an outright winner.
Recommended Bet: Totals, over 2.5 at 1/1
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
