Friday’s diet of international friendlies will not satisfy those who crave the continuation of an exciting Premier League title race.
But with Scotland due to face their biggest pre-Euro 2024 test from the Netherlands, Spain and Colombia set to bring some colour to London and Northern Ireland looking to spring a surprise in Romania, there are more than a few tasty betting treats to get your teeth into.
Bet of the day
Over 4.5 goals in Spain vs Colombia @ 13/2 boosted to 15/2
The most entertaining match of the night should be the one at the London Stadium – the new home of Spain – well for one night only.
The friendly against Colombia is taking place in London to showcase a new sponsor and, with nothing on the line for either team, the two sets of players should serve up just what the neutral fans want – goals.
Spain have been an attractive side for some time, but a new generation of exciting young players are coming through that promises to make them even more easy on the eye.
The likes of Barcelona teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, plus highly-coveted Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams should all play a part against a Colombia side who are not going to sit back and let the Spanish play.
Tricolor have won four in a row, a run which began with a 2-1 home win over Brazil in World Cup qualifying, and are unbeaten in their last 14 friendlies.
Spain’s own six-game winning run could come under threat in a game that should see plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.
The South Americans could push Luis de la Fuente’s team into something spectacular on Friday to make it a memorable occasion for the fans, sponsors and an army of Premier League scouts at the home of West Ham.
La Roja have scored at least three goals in four of their last six games, while Colombia have netted two or more in their last four away friendlies, so there should be real prospects of a five-goal thriller unfolding in East London.
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Special of the day
Netherlands vs Scotland to end in a 1-1 draw @ 7/1 boosted to 8/1
The Tartan Army travel to Amsterdam to give Steve Clarke’s side their backing in a friendly against the Netherlands, which may not be as big a game for the hosts.
Ronald Koeman’s side take on bitter rivals Germany in another warm-up in Frankfurt a few days later and the Dutch coach will probably field a stronger line-up for that clash.
Koeman would have wanted to use this game to assess Brian Brobbey and Joshua Zirkzee, but both have pulled out with injury, leaving him with Memphis Depay, Wout Weghorst, Donyell Malen and Cody Gapko as his forward options.
The Oranje were a bit scratchy in qualifying, losing at home and away to France and scraping a 1-0 win at Greece to effectively seal qualification thanks to a last-gasp Virgil van Dijk penalty.
Scotland beat a much more impressive path to the finals and probably had a tougher group, so Clarke’s team will not be overawed by their opponents.
The former Kilmarnock boss was in charge when Scotland drew 2-2 with the Dutch in Portugal three years ago and another score draw could be on the cards here.
Scotland have not scored more than once in any of their last three friendlies, however, while five of the Netherlands’ last 10 games of this kind have finished one apiece.
Long shot of the day
Northern Ireland to beat Romania and both teams to score @ 9/1
Northern Ireland struggled in Euro 2024 qualifying, but they finished on a high with a home win over Denmark.
Michael O’Neill will hope some of the positivity from that win can spill over into this week’s trip to Romania as he looks to build a squad for future campaigns.
They will be wearing a new ‘vibrant’ kit in Bucharest and there is a fresh look to the squad now with several young players regularly plying their trade at Championship level.
Northern Ireland have won four of their last five away friendlies, including victories in Prague and Luxembourg, while Romania appear to struggle when there are no qualification points at stake.
Edward Iordanescu’s men have failed to win five of their last six friendly games, losing four, so look easy to oppose in this fixture, with generous odds available for the visitors to win and both teams to score.
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