There’s a plethora of international friendlies taking place all across the world on Friday.
Here are our betting tips for today’s international football action.
International fixtures Betting Tips - Friday 22 March
International friendlies Acca of the Day
Over 2.5 goals
Netherlands vs Scotland
Romania to win
Romania vs Northern Ireland
Over 2.5 goals
Spain vs Colombia
Argentina to win and over 2.5 goals
Argentina vs El Salvador
Both teams to score
Hungary vs Türkiye
Both teams to score
Norway vs Czechia
Egypt to win
Egypt vs New Zealand
At 49/1, a £10 bet would return £504.42
International friendlies acca of the day
Netherlands vs Scotland betting tips
Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam
2024 is a hugely-exciting year for Scotland, with games against some of Europe’s best in the calendar, starting with this friendly in Amsterdam that’ll certainly put them to the test.
Steve Clarke’s side qualified for this summer’s European Championships with flying colours, doing so with two games to go, most-notably beating Spain at Hampden and then Norway in Oslo.
So, come June, the Dark Blues will take on hosts Germany, Switzerland and then Hungary in a very challenging group, aiming to reach the knockout phase at a tournament for the first time in their entire history.
Last autumn, the Tartan Army saw their team beaten by England and France in friendlies, as well as Spain in Seville, with this another chance for Clarke and his players to test themselves against elite opposition.
Netherlands meantime also safely booked their tickets to the Euros, although a pair of defeats at the hands of France provided Ronald Koeman’s team with a reality check.
Oranje and les Bleus will meet again in Leipzig on 21 June, with Holland also facing play-off Path A winners and Austria in another competitive group.
Since reaching the World Cup semi-finals a decade ago, the Dutch have won only one tournament knockout tie, this against USA in 2022, although this team does have the talent to make a deep run.
Since Euro ‘92, Holland have won seven of their 11 encounters with Scotland, while their sole victory in 42 years came in the Euro 2004 play-offs, prevailing 1-0, before a 6-0 second leg gubbing four days later.
The two teams did met in the Algarve three years ago, with a late goal from Memphis salvaging a draw for Netherlands, while a home win at Johan Cruijff Arena seems the most-likely outcome here.
Netherlands to win
1st selection
Both teams to score
2nd selection
Memphis to score anytime
3rd selection
At 9/2, a £10 bet would return £55
Netherlands vs Scotland
Romania vs Northern Ireland betting tips
Arena Naţională, Bucharest
Following yet another miserable calendar year for Northern Ireland, Michael O’Neill will be desperately hoping for better in, what’ll be, their first fixture of 2024.
The Green and White Army lost seven of ten Euro qualifiers, their only wins coming over San Marino before a shock 2-0 victory over Denmark in November saw them bookend a disappointing campaign on a high-note.
Nevertheless, the Green and White Army have still won only six of their last 36 competitive fixtures, so will be hoping to pick up some friendly wins, before the Nations League returns in September.
In stark contrast, following an unbeaten 2023, Romania are preparing for this summer’s European Championships, the sixth time they’ve qualified for the tournament, after missing out on the last edition.
Edward Iordănescu’s side will take play-off Path B winners, Slovakia and Belgium in the summer, aiming to gett out of their group for the first time since 2000.
Romania are unbeaten in five meetings with Northern Ireland, with the Green and White Army’s most-recent victory in Bucharest coming in 1985, although their two encounters four years ago both ended 1-1.
This time however, a home win seems very likely at Arena Naţională.
Romania to win
1st selection
Both teams to score NO
2nd selection
Nicolae Stanciu to score anytime
3rd selection
At 15/2, a £10 bet would return £85
Romania vs Northern Ireland
Spain vs Colombia betting tips
London Stadium, London
Taking place in East London, for some reason, Spain and Colombia continue preparations for their respective major tournaments coming up this summer by meeting at the home of West Ham United.
2023 proved to be a very successful year for Luis de la Fuente’s team, hoisting aloft the UEFA Nations League trophy in June, before winning six successive Euro qualifiers, thereby topping their group above Scotland.
At the Euros in Germany, la Roja will take on Croatia, Italy and Albania, drawn into something of a group of death, but certainly boast the talent to add a fourth Henri Delaunay Trophy to their collection.
Colombia too are in excellent form right now, unbeaten in 16 matches, dating back over two years, starting World Cup qualifying with three wins and three draws, thereby sat third in the CONMEBOL table.
As a result, many have Néstor Lorenzo’s team down as dark horses to make a deep run at Copa América in the summer, preparing to face Paraguay, Honduras/Costa Rica and then Brazil in Group D.
Los Cafeteros and la Roja have previously met five times, four of which have been draws, Spain’s sole victory coming at the Bernabéu in 2011, while their most-recent encounter ended 2-2 in Murcia seven years ago.
Those in attendance at the London Stadium should be treated to another high-scoring fixture.
Spain to win
1st selection
Both teams to score
2nd selection
Álvaro Morata to score anytime
3rd selection
At 5/1, a £10 bet would return £60
Spain vs Colombia
Argentina vs El Salvador betting tips
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Argentina are the current holders of all three trophies they could possibly win, the World Cup, Copa América and Finalissima, hoping 2024 will be a year in which they add yet more silverware to an already bulging cabinet.
In June, la Albiceleste will begin the defence of their Copa América trophy, taking on Canada/Trinidad & Tobago, Chile and then Peru in the group phase, currently favourites to go all the way.
Before then, Lionel Scaloni’s side will feature in four stateside friendlies, also taking on Costa Rica in LA on Tuesday, although they’ll be without Lionel Messi for this month’s double-header as he’s injured.
Nevertheless, the world champions should still cruise to victory in Pennsylvania.
As for El Salvador, following Wednesday’s embarrassing 1-1 draw with minnows Bonaire in DC, they are without a win in 17 fixtures, including friendlies, dating back to a 3-1 victory over Grenada in June 2022.
Last year, la Selecta were relegated to CONCACAF Nations League B, yielding just one point from six matches, form that saw Hugo Pérez sacked as head coach, with David Dóniga taking over.
Argentina have won both previous meetings with El Salvador 2-0, the most-recent of which came nine years ago, with an even more comfortable victory likely in Philadelphia.
Hungary vs Turkey betting tips
Puskás Aréna, Budapest
These two sides will both be heading to the Euros in June, so who will look stronger in this friendly?
Hungary have been very impressive for a few years now, going through 2023 unbeaten and topping qualifying Group G, thereby set to appear at a third successive European Championships.
Marco Rossi’s side will face Switzerland, hosts Germany and then Scotland come June, with most expecting the Magyars to get out of that group, dreaming of reaching the last eight for the first time since 1972.
So, even in a friendly environment, this is a daunting task for Türkiye, who also topped their qualification section last year, finishing above Croatia, thanks largely to an historic 1-0 win in Osijek in October.
The Crescent-Stars haven’t got out of their group at a Euro since their historic semi-final run in 2008 but, drawn alongside play-off Path C winners, Czechia and Portugal, will fancy their chances of changing that.
When these two teams last met in the Nations League in 2020, Hungary won both encounters, 1-0 in Sivas and 2-0 in Budapest, with another victory for the hosts at Puskás Aréna the most-likely outcome.
Norway vs Czechia betting tips
Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
Only one of these two teams will be heading to the European Championships this summer, but this friendly in Oslo is tough to call.
Since becoming an independent nation, Czechia have never failed to qualify for a Euros, and this fact remains true, set to appear at an eighth in-a-row, having finished second in Group E.
Despite this, following their 3-0 win over Moldova in Olomouc in November, Jaroslav Šilhavý announced he would be stepping down, a major shock, although he’s since lucratively become the manager of Oman.
Ivan Hašek is therefore back in charge, his second stint as national team head coach, with this the first game since his return, hoping to claim a win.
Norway meanwhile, despite boasting Martin Ødegaard, Erling Braut Håland and other stars, have still not qualified for any major tournament since 2000, ending up third in Group A, below Scotland and Spain.
Despite this failure, the NFF have backed Ståle Solbakken, who remains head coach, but is under pressure to deliver Nations League promotion later this year and, ultimately, World Cup qualification.
To date, Norway have only ever won one of eight meetings with the Czechs, their most-recent encounter in 2017 ending as a 1-1 draw, while a similar outcome at Ullevål Stadion is very possible.
Albania vs Chile betting tips
Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma
These two teams are both preparing for major tournaments this summer, so will either claim victory in this friendly in Parma?
Albania will make just their second-ever appearance at a European Championships come June, having upset the odds to qualify top of their group, above both Czechia and Poland.
However, at the tournament itself, Sylvinho’s side have been drawn into the group of death, alongside Croatia, Italy and Spain, meaning the Red and Blacks will have to be at their best to get any points at all.
As for Chile, they’re over in Europe this month for a double-header of friendlies, also taking on France at Stade Vélodrome on Tuesday, needing to address their alarming form.
After six matches of World Cup qualifying, la Roja are down in eighth place, winning only once so far.
These results saw Eduardo Berizzo sacked as manager back in November, with Ricardo Gareca, the man who led Peru to the World Cup and a Copa América Final, his successor, with this his first game in charge.
Later this year, Chile will travel stateside for Copa América, facing Peru, defending champions Argentina and Canada/Trinidad & Tobago in Group A, needing to improve quickly to avoid an embarrassing early exit.
So, can Gareca make an immediate impact, or will Albania claim victory at Stadio Ennio Tardini?
Egypt vs New Zealand betting tips
Sports City Stadium, New Administrative Capital
A real clash of cultures in Cairo, as record seven-times African champions Egypt welcome record five-times champions of Oceania New Zealand to New Administrative Capital.
This is the start of a new era for Egypt, after they failed to win any of their four matches at January’s Africa Cup of Nations, dumped out on penalties by DR Congo in the round of 16.
As a result, Rui Vitória was sacked, with Hossam Hassan taking over, hoping to make a winning start in this ACUD Cup semi-final, before World Cup qualification returns in June.
New Zealand meantime are preparing for this summer’s OFC Nations Cup, a tournament they’re always favourites to win, ahead of their own World Cup qualifying cycle commencing in autumn.
The All Whites are currently without a win in five friendlies, most-recently beaten 2-0 by Greece back in November, before holding Republic of Ireland to a credible 1-1 draw in Dublin four days later.
This will be the grand-opening of the New Administrative Capital Stadium, which boast a capacity in excess of 93,000, and the home crowd are likely to be treated to a victory for the Pharaohs.
North Macedonia vs Moldova betting tips
Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya
There’s plenty of friendlies between European minnows taking place on Friday, including this clash in Antalya.
Having said that, in fairness, both of these two teams are doing their best to climb away from ‘minnow’ status, especially North Macedonia, who actually qualified for the most-recent Euros three years ago.
Nevertheless, Blagoja Milevski’s side did endure a difficult 2023, winning just two Euro qualifiers, both against Malta, albeit they did hold both Italy and England to draws in Skopje, having previously shipped seven at Old Trafford and five in Rome.
Moldova too yielded two wins in qualifying last year, beating Faroe Islands 1-0 at Tórsvøllur while, most-memorably, fighting back from 2-0 down to defeat Poland in Chișinău last June.
This clash at Mardan Sports Complex will be a first meeting of North Macedonia and Moldova for 15 years, and both teams will fancy their chances of victory.
Armenia vs Kosovo betting tips
Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan
Over in Yerevan, will Armenia end their winless streak and make home advantage count?
Last June, Oleksandr Petrakov’s beat both Wales in Cardiff and Latvia at home in Euro qualifying, both these would prove to be their only wins of 2023, concluding the year with a 1-0 defeat in Zagreb.
Nevertheless, Armenia are an improving force on the international scene, every year becoming tougher for the heavyweights to beat, so might just come into this friendly as favourites.
Kosovo meanwhile ended Euro qualifying with 11 points, a joint-record haul, beating Andorra on the road and Israel in Pristina, but still ending up fifth in Group I.
Ahead of this one, the Dardanians have a new manager, with former Austria head coach Franco Foda taking charge for the first time, so will he make a winning start at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium?
Azerbaijan vs Mongolia betting tips
Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku
Over in Baku, as part of the brand-new FIFA Series, Azerbaijan is hosting this four team tournament, of sorts, featuring two European teams, one from Africa and one from Asia.
First up for the hosts are Mongolia who, back in October, were immediately eliminated from AFC World Cup qualifying, beaten over two legs by Afghanistan, defeated 1-0 in both Dushanbe and then Ulaanbaatar.
A year ago, Ichiro Otsuka’s side ventured to Europe for a friendly with Georgia, but were smashed 6-1 in Batumi, Baljinnyam Batbold’s goal scant consolation, giving some indication of Mongolia’s current level.
So, this should be a comfortable victory for Azerbaijan, something that cannot be said very often.
Although, in fairness, last year this side did beat both Estonia in Tallinn and Sweden in Baku, the latter a famous 3-0 victory, during Euro qualifying, despite having been winless in 22 qualifiers beforehand.
Nevertheless, following a 5-0 hammering in Brussels back in November, head coach Gianni De Biasi was sacked, with this set to be Arif Asadov’s first game in interim charge.
Anything other than a comprehensive home win at Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium would be a major surprise.
Bulgaria vs Tanzania betting tips
Dalga Arena, Baku
21 miles across Baku, over at Dalğa Arena, Bulgaria will be hoping for a morale-boosting win.
The Lions have still not qualified for any major tournament since Euro 2004, and failed to win any of their ten matches last year, finishing rock bottom of their Euro qualifying group with just four points to their name.
In fact, dating back to October 2018, this team have won only eight of 55 matches, three of which are friendly victories.
Back in November, in his first two games in charge, Ilian Iliev did guide his team to credible 2-2 draws with both Hungary and Serbia, but can he now get his first win on the board?
Opponents Tanzania meantime were competing at the Africa Cup of Nations as recently as January, beaten 3-0 by Morocco in their opener, before holding both Zambia and DR Congo to draws.
The Taifa Stars have now qualified for three AFCONs, also 1980 and 2019, but are yet to win a match at the finals, something they’ll be hoping to change at the 2027 edition as co-hosts.
This will be only Tanzania’s second-ever match against European opposition, and first since holding Finland to a 1-1 draw 49 years ago, so can they spring a surprise?
Faroe Islands vs Liechtenstein betting tips
Marbella Football Center, Marbella
In sunny Marbella, two of Europe’s lowest-ranked teams go head-to-head, with Faroe Islands firm favourites to pick up a victory.
Håkan Ericson’s side are, admittedly, winless in 12, enduring a miserable Euro qualification campaign last year, yielding just two draws, these coming against Moldova in Chișinău and Albania in Tirana.
However, their progress can be charted by their rise in the Nations League, first gaining promotion from the bottom-tier in 2020, before retaining their League C status in 2022, memorably beating Türkiye at Tórsvøllur.
Liechtenstein meantime are currently enduring a horrendous streak of 23 consecutive loses, conceding 67 times and scoring only twice during this period.
In all, the the Blue-Reds are without a win in 35 outings, dating back to October 2020, a time-frame that includes a 5-1 hammering in Tórshavn, meaning most would forecast a Faroese victory in Southern Spain.
Under-21 European Championship qualifying
Azerbaijan vs England betting tips
Azersun Arena, Baku
There are plenty of Under-21 Euro qualifiers taking place this week, we don’t have time to discuss all of them, but were going to look ahead to England’s 2,500 mile journey east to Baku.
Lee Carsley’s team are the reigning European champions at U21 level, with the Three Lions victorious at that competition for the first time since 1984 last summer, but face a battle to qualify for next year’s edition.
So far, England have won four of their five qualifiers, swatting aside both Serbia and Northern Ireland 3-0 in November, with Harvey Elliott scoring thrice across those two games.
However, having been beaten 3-2 by Ukraine in Košice a month earlier, it’s the Ukrainians who top the table in maximum points, with England second, while only the group winners qualify automatically.
Ukraine still have to visit England on the penultimate matchday in October but, between now and then, the Three Lions are under pressure to keep on winning, both here and then when Luxembourg visit on Tuesday.
As for hosts Azerbaijan, they’ve lost three of their four matches in this group, their sole win a dramatic 3-2 victory over Luxembourg, in which they scored in both the 88th and 91st minutes.
Since gaining UEFA membership, Samir Aliyev’s team have won only 16 of 126 qualifiers at U21 level, so England are likely to cruise to victory at Azersun Arena.
England half time/full time
1st selection
Both teams to score NO
2nd selection
Over 3.5 goals
3rd selection
Noni Madueke to score anytime
4th selection
At 4/1, a £10 bet would return £50
Azerbaijan U21s vs England U21s
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