IF you thought betting on Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifiers was tough wait till you look at the friendlies.
There are games such Australia v Serbia, Venezuela v Spain and Russia v Cameroon and it's all a bit of a minefield.
We even have Italy v Republic of Ireland in Liege. So what's all that about?
To be fair this is one game where the outcome looks possible to call. Italy won well against Estonia at the weekend and although boss Cesare Prandelli will make changes that means bringing in the likes of Giampaolo Pazzini for Antonio Cassano while veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon will be replaced by Emiliano Viviano.
Torino player Angelo Ogbonna could make his first start at the expense of Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani.
The Irish are without two of their attacking gems in Robbie Keane and Aiden McGeady. Keane, keeper Shay Given, Kevin Kilbane, John O’Shea and Keith Fahey have been allowed to miss the match while McGeady’s has been recalled by Spartak Moscow whose league season is still going.
David Forde will replace Given and a seriously weakened Irish side could struggle.
Take Italy at 10-11 with bet365 and consider Guiseppe Rossi to score first at 5-1 with the likes of bodog and William Hill.
Russia stayed on course to reach the Euro finals with a 3-1 win against Armenia and look set to add to that victory by beating Cameroon in Salzburg.
Dick Advocaat's men have won four of their last five qualifiers and are 11-10 at Stan James against the Africans who seem to be in transition.
Norway (4-9, Betfred) should see off a Lithuania team stunned 2-0 by Liechtenstein on Friday and Egil Olsen’s men could win to nil (7-5, Coral).
Austria lost in the last minute to Germany at the weekend and are 8-11 with William Hill to beat Latvia.
World champions Spain destroyed Gold Cup contenders America 4-0 at the weekend and should follow up with another win against Venezuela. They are 2-5 with Skybet.
Recommendations
Italy
(10-11, bet365)
Norway to win to nil
(7-5, Coral)
In December 2020 we sadly 
