ONE glance at tonight's coupon told me bookies hate international friendlies just as much as punters.
Look at William Hill's coupon prices, for example. Italy v England – both teams 6-4, Northern Ireland v Finland – both teams 6-4 and Scotland v Australia – home 7-5, away 8-5.
What the bookies are basically saying is: We're not sure who should be favourites in these games. And no wonder.
Betting on friendlies is fraught with danger but especially so at this stage of the season when many players involved haven't yet played a competitive match.
So the best bet could be to throw in a few draws – or not have a bet at all. I'll not be doing much but as always will have a small wager for a bit of interest.
Scotland are a biggest 6-4 (various) to beat the Aussies who are 2-1 at Betfred. But it's a draw for me at 23-10 with Coral and Betfred.
Home boss Craig Levein is missing a whole raft of players and has caused a fuss by pulling in Third Division midfielder Ian Black of Rangers who is in line for his first cap.
Up top the absence of the likes of Kenny Miller, Jamie Mackie and Steven Fletcher for various reasons means Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes will earn his first start as a lone striker – possibly earlier than anticipated.
It will be a tough task for Rhodes who is 9-2 at bet365 to score the opener.
The countries have met four times and at least one side has kept a clean sheet on each occasion. Hills make both teams to score 5-6 and 5-6 for both not to score.
England have lost a host of players for their trip to Italy but the home side are also weakened so again it's a difficult one to call with the draw at 9-4 with Ladbrokes favoured in Switzerland.
Northern Ireland v Finland also looks a close call as does Wales v Bosnia. The Welsh are a biggest 17-10 at William Hill and are boosted by the return of Gareth Bale as well as players who enjoyed their Team GB experience at the Olympics. However, I'd prefer to take Wales draw no bet at 11-10 at Ladbrokes.
Republic of Ireland are back in action after their Euro 2012 flop and visit Serbia without the likes of Shay Given, Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle. Serbia have lost all three games under new boss Sinisa Mihajlovic who has named a young squad with no recognised centre-forward.
I'd been looking at Serbia at 1-1 (various) but under 2.5 goals at 4-6 with Betfred could be the best call.
Elsewhere there are big guns in action as Germany face Argentina, Belgium entertain Holland and Sweden meet Brazil. If the South Americans name strong starting line-ups they could worth a look but I'd like to see teams before making a judgment.
Holland have four uncapped defenders in their squad and that could play into the hands of Chelsea new boy Eden Hazard who will be out to impress. Consider him at 10-3 with sportingbet and Coral to score at any time.
For those looking at dreaded odds-on shots the best bets could be South Korea (8-13, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes) at home to Zambia, Portugal (3-10, Ladbrokes) at home to Panama and Iceland (2-5, BetVictor) at home to the Faroes.
So good luck with your best, keep stakes small and check kick-off times which range from 5pm to the early hours of the morning.
Recommendations
Draws at Scotland, England, Nth Ireland and Belgium
(Perm any 3 and all 4 = 5 bets)
Top treble
South Korea, Portugal, Iceland
(Pays a biggest £31.60 to a £10 stake at Ladbrokes)
Super Single
Hazard to score
(10-3, Coral, sportingbet)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Internatinals are always close and at this time of games could be even closer. Draws look the best bet tonite. Paul does kompany not play for belguim? Good luck guys
Alex, of course he does, just written him in the wrong place.
just puttin on couple 3-1 eng or italy correct scores for an interest watching it tonight
any tips on both teams score tonight mr fix it?
Chris, tough to pick btts on the friendlies and could be few where no to btts is the answer. However, I’ve done a £10 fivefold and it’s Bulgaria v Cyprus, Belgium v Holland, Germany v Argentina, Ecuador v Chile and Mexico v USA. Good luck if you try it but it’s not posted with a great deal of confidence.
Alright Guys!
Here’s some value for tonight!
Brazil EVS
Holland 23/20
Bosnia 13/8
Uruguay 3/1
Get on and enjoy some value. For best results make sure you perm bets!
Thanks
Not sure on that bet Andrew … Holland are up against a very hungry, young side in Belgium and screams a draw in my eyes
Argentina to beat Germany are 2/1 … very tempting to lump on
AC, I agree, it’s a very ambitious line. If it comes up I’ll doff my hat to him.
AC, I think Holland under performed at the Euros but when you look at the team, I don’t think you can right them off.
I had a look at Argentina to beat the Germsns but I beleive that could be a 2-2 draw.
Best a luck thou mate!
Same to you Andrew
Bloody friendlies … They look so tempting and full of promise
But I am going to be disciplined and just stick with the Argies
Argentina Scotland England £4 treble returns £68 bit ambitious but worth £4 i think.
John, you from South Lanarkshire?
scotland, england, Rep. Ireland and wales all draw. £5 acca and 4x£2.50 trebles.
4 draws lookin gd at ht
Craig, they’re looking al right but a long way to go. At least getting a run for our money so far.
Argentina … Lovely … Still hoping for a Hazard Goal
That will be my wee treble up sweet :)))
John, very good. Don’t like betting on Scotland but it was comfortable in the end.
nice wee treble john, always the same wen lookin gid at ht tho, had 4 out 5 last night at ht and only got 2. roll on the wknd fir some long awaited decent coupons
Craig, you spoke too soon about the draws but was a tough night. Got the treble up so happy enough on a card I didn’t really fancy.
oh aye blame me haha, did you know celtic game on weds on stv paul, itv got europa games too so hearts liverpool shld be on thursday too, both 2nd legs on sky & espn tho
Yep, one day of no football and then it’s going to be a slogfest.
Paul, was thinking about doing a £250 double on Sandaza and Aguero anytime scorer to return £750. What you reckon? Will both start do you think?
Chris, don’t know if Sandaza will start and we’ll get a better indication of that tomorrow. Aguero should start and Man Cuty should win well against Southampton so I’d prefer Aguero as a single.
mculloch cld be in with a shout for gers g/s but they shld have at least 3 diff scorers tbh. sayin that east stirling just beat airdrie 3-0 haha mon the shire!!!
Lol that’s mad Craig. Paul you reckon Aguero worth a £220 single to win £160? How much would you risk mate. Rangers is a bit of a dodgey one to be fair as starting line up is unpredictable and substitutes etc. Think Aguero should score font know if I should back him as a double with any other player. If you had £250 aporox for a single anytime Goalscorer would you go for Aguero? Man City playing at home and I think they will put on a good display for the kids, especially since they won the league
Chris, I wouldn’t put a £250 single on any scorer to be honest. I don’t think it’s a market that offers any guarantees especially with sides who have several different possible scorers.
Any football tonight
Chris, Cardiff v Huddersfield tomorrow but nothing decent tonight after the internationals.
minus 4 rangers 3to1. If they cant beat that lot by 5 goals at ibrox they should have been put in the west of scotland league!
Alex instead of the 3/1 I’d just back them to win 5-0 and 6-0 at much better odds
And what happens if its 7or8. Dont be greedy now!
rangers will b lucky if they win!!! useless they r
Gonna back a top scorer in the PL with ladbrokes to try and cash in on hat trick hero promo. Van persie obvious choice after getn 30 last season with gunners but will he settle in? If man city do well then aguero will be up there. Rooney got 27 last season and will maybe benefit from having world class player beside him. Torres also looking sharp. Anyone any thoughts? The promo pays gives u a free bet the same as your stake any time they score a hat trick. So if £50 on RVP for top season scorer u get £50 everytime he gets a hat trick. RVP and rooney both got 2 last year and aguero got 1.
Joe, RVP should settle in fine but he and Rooney could carve each other up with the goals. There is same problem at City but Tevez at 20-1 ew looks a shout. Darren Bent is a proven EPL scorer and might be in the frame if he stays fit at Villa.
well done to you guys who got evens wuth patrick power minus 2 Rangers went into Ladbrokes shop today and they quoted 8/15, i think them to win to nil at the same price with the same firm looks a winner.
in saying that nowt is certain in betting!!!!!
Robert, all the Rangers prices have been slashed and it’s no surprise.
Paul any tips for the English leagues for the season, looking for some prospects for an each way double for the season
Rory, they’ll be on the site tomorrow or Saturday.
Calain. If rangerr lose i will give you the 100 pound that i have just put on at -4 at 10to3. There is no chance rangers will lose. Oh by the way am not a gers fan.
Ok thanx paul. Will mull it over till saturday. Rory i done ew double on chelsea and bolton. RVP signing is signal of intent from man utd tho!!
Joe, Bolton will be in the mix but i reckon it’s Man Utd edging out City after RVP signing.
got free fiver at deal or no deal skyvegas and sh*t it, took £7.13 haha. had wee look at specials and 1 that stood out was man u, city, arsenal and chelsea all to score 2+ at 11/2. thinkin bout lumping ma £7.13 on it haha nuhin to lose really
seen another PP daily special 18/1 for manu win league & RVP top gs. runs out at midnight
Craig, might come to who takes the pens for MU top scorer – him or Rooney.
cant see rvp taken them from the off plus folk sayin rvp will take corners, thought obv choice was young tho. just done double on lille/tns, plan is takin short priced fav everydayt
….1/4 down to 1/10 and see how a go, once get decent pot go for shorter prices, sure it was 70 odd bets gets 10k for £10, this evens challenge far too hard to get 6 in a row so need diff strategy haha
Ok guys just when we thought there was no value left for the rangers game I’ve just seen a bet which appears to be very good indeed. Rangers 1/20 to win with Ladbrokes but what about a bit of 8/11 for Rangers to be winning after 30 mins. Great value I think so I’ve just lumped on £220 for I hope an easy £160 profit.
I’ve also put on a £60 treble on
Rangers who are 1/20 @ 8/11
Barcelona who are 1/9 @ 5/6
Man City who are 1/6 @ 11/10
The treble returns £399
Good luck guys and get on Rangers before Ladbrokes cut them also.
Chris, I’ve lost count on the number of bets I’ve had on this game and there you come up with another. That looks helluva attractive and the treble’s not bad too. But if invest any more money in the game I’ll have forked out more than Charlie Green!