TONIGHT'S card features loads of friendlies and the advice is to check line-ups before considering a bet.

Standout games include Holland v Italy, France v Spain, Russia v Belgium, Portugal v Sweden and Ireland v Iceland.

I'll keep checking team news but this is what I have – comment with anything else you see.

Italy for example are playing a young side including 18-year-old keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma making his debut.  Andrea Barzagli has already been sent home and boss Giampiero Ventura says he will dramatically lower the average age of the line-up.

Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci though will lead the defence with his club teammate Daniele Rugani and Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli.

Atalanta striker Andrea Petagna, called in after Southampton's Manolo Gabbiadini pulled out through injury, could start up front. Matteo Darmian and Torino wing-back Davide Zappacosta will be given wide roles.

Holland will be coached by interim boss Fred Grim after Danny Blind was axed after the 2-0 defeat by Bulgaria.

Belgium will be much weakened against Russia with the likes Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Marouane Fellaini and Thibaut Courtois missing.

Martin O'Neill will be running the rule over a second-string Irish side. Rob Elliot, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Stephen Quinn, Harry Arter, Wes Hoolahan, Daryl Murphy, Seamus Coleman, John O'Shea, Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy and Jonathan Walters will all be missing.

There are likely to be starts against Iceland for Alex Pearce, Andy Boyle, John Egan, Callum  O'Dowda, Daryl Horgan, Eunan O'Kane and Jonny Hayes.

Spain will be without Diego Costa as Alvaro Morata, Iago Aspas and Pedro get starting slots against France who have defensive problems with Adil Rami, Djibril Sidibe and Bacary Sagnaout and Benjamin Mendy a doubt.

Sebastien Corchia and Christophe Jallet will battle for the right-back berth with Layvin Kurzawa the likeliest option on the left as Samuel Umtiti moves to centre-back.

There could be a start for Monaco wonderkid Kylian Mbappe who came on as a sub against Luxembourg.

Later there are South American World Cup qualifiers to consider including Bolivia v Argentina and overnight it's group leaders Brazil at home to Paraguay.

This will be tough for Argentina at altitude and they will be without banned Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia and Nicolas Otamendi

Guido Pizzaro and Ever Banega come in and Lucas Pratto will be up front possibly with Sergio Aguero who was due to be axed.

Messi has been with a four-match ban for abusing a linesman but the timing of the decision couldn't be worse for Argentina.

Avatar of Mr Fixit

Mr Fixit

5773 articles

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.

7 Comments
  1. Avatar of stagger
    stagger 8 years ago

    According to Futbolgrad, star midfielder Alan Dzagoev will likely start for Russia. If he does start, to score without Courtois between the sticks is around 5/2.

  2. Avatar of stagger
    stagger 8 years ago

    Yes, it seems that O’Neill has said there’ll be a few players having their first taste of International football tonight. Iceland’s last friendly versus Mexico saw them giving a debut to keeper Schram who made four saves in the one-nothing loss in Las Vegas with Mexico enjoying about 70% possession. I can’t find Iceland team news but if Schram starts in goal he may well do another good job against O’Neill’s debutees.

    Under 2.5mgs is 1/2 Coral
    Under 1.5mgs is 6/4 Coral

    • Avatar of Mr Fixit
      Mr Fixit 8 years ago

      Ireland are missing a whole team so there will be a few new faces. If I see Iceland team news I’ll add it to my post.

    • Avatar of stagger
      stagger 8 years ago

      Thanks.

  3. Avatar of stagger
    stagger 8 years ago

    Iceland playing Krisstinsson (FC Hammerby) in goal, rather than the more experienced Halldorsson.
    I’m still having a small punt on Under 1.5mgs (6/4 Coral)

  4. Avatar of stagger
    stagger 8 years ago

    Well, that’s me done for, surely, as Iceland pot on ’22. Bjorgvin curls his free kick over the wall for nothing-one already.

  5. Avatar of stagger
    stagger 8 years ago

    Stone me, it came in.

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