Matchday 8 Euro 2020 Qualifying Best Bets: Monday, October 14, 2019

• Matchday 8 of the Euro 2020 qualifiers
• England needing to bounce back after defeat in Prague
• Check below for analysis and betting predictions for Matchday 8

It’s Matchday 8 of Euro 2020 qualifying this week and we’re picking three of Monday’s top fixtures to see if we can find some value for the bettors.

UEFA 2020 Group A – Bulgaria vs England Odds

*All odds taken on October 12, 2019

England’s 100%record in Group A was blown to smithereens in Prague on Friday night when the Czech Republic deservedly beat Gareth Southgate’s misfiring troops in a 2-1 win that could easily have been more. That England’s best performer on the night was keeper Jordan Pickford tells the story.

It could, and probably should, have been a different story for the English, who were ahead after just four minutes from a Harry Kane penalty, but they failed to capitalise on that great start. Instead, it was a very disjointed performance, typified by careless use of the ball and some shambolic defending.

What was supposed to be England securing their passage through to next summer’s finals instead became a night of frustration and angst, with all of the defensive flaws that have been rumbling beneath the surface in recent months laid bare.

With Bulgaria bottom of the group, this should on paper represent a chance for Southgate’s men to return to winning ways but all of a sudden this has become a much more difficult game than it initially appeared.  Despite a record of 0-3-3 the Bulgarians have enough to trouble teams and they too lost 2-1 in Prague, so this will not be the stroll in the park some are anticipating.

England are not in a good place and Bulgaria may just take advantage.

My pick: Bulgaria and England to draw (+460)

UEFA 2020 Group B – Ukraine vs Portugal Odds

*All odds taken on October 12, 2019

Group leaders Ukraine are in a good place and since Andriy Shevchenko took charge in the middle of 2016, they have gone from strength to strength. They have won 17 of their 30 fixtures in that time and have suffered just five defeats.

In qualifying, they have amassed 16 points from six matches and they sit top of Group B, five points clear of Portugal who still have a game in hand. They have a record of 5-1-0, scoring 13 times and conceding just one during an almost faultless campaign.

For Portugal, this is one they cannot afford to lose and with a home game against Lithuania and an away one in Luxembourg to follow, for them it’s very much crunch time. A qualifying record of 3-2-0 shows they’re not far away from hitting their straps and with Cristiano Ronaldo still leading their line they remain dangerous opponents.

As holders of the European Championship crown – they won it in Paris in 2016 – they will be desperate for a chance to defend it and not miss out on that opportunity.

Whether they have enough to win it again appears doubtful, and against a good Ukraine team this one is going to be tough. I fancy Shevchenko ‘s men to edge this one, so there is value in the home win here.

My pick: Ukraine to win (+225)

UEFA 2020 Group H – France vs Turkey Odds

*All odds taken on October 12, 2019

France host Turkey in what is undoubtedly Group H’s crucial clash, with the top two meeting in Paris. The current world champions head into the game in second place on goal difference and crucially, Turkey recorded a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture back in June.

However, that was France’s only blip in the group and they have won their other six games, including a vital 1-0 win in Iceland last Friday when the pressure was really on. They have kept three clean sheets in their last four games and are also unbeaten in seven home qualifiers, six of those being wins.

Turkey’s qualifying record is, however, even more impressive than France’s, with their only defeat that coming in Reykjavic, also back in June. Along the way, they have conceded just two goals.

Senol Gunes’ team maintained their good qualifying form by winning a tricky home tie against Albania last time out, with Everton striker Cenk Tosun scoring for the fifth time in qualifying. Their away form has been impressive too with four wins in their last five matches on the road, which includes four clean sheets.

But this is Turkey’s biggest test yet by far and while a win would be great for them, they would see a draw as a way of maintaining their top spot. They will not over-commit in Paris, so this could be a tight one and the value is very much with the draw.

My pick: France and Turkey to draw (+380)