UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying Matchday 6: Best Bets for Sunday, September 8
- Italy will be aiming to extend their lead atop the Group J table when they visit Finland on Sunday as -155 favorites on the EURO 2020 qualification odds
- A first-ever berth in the Euro is in reach for Finland, who sit just three points back of the Azzurri, but lag as +450 underdogs in Sunday’s contest
- Scandinavian rivals clash as Sweden hosts Norway as -115 favorites on Sunday in Group F action
It’s Matchday 6 in the European Championships 2020 qualifying this weekend and we’re keeping an eye out for the best value for the bettors in Sunday’s matches.
UEFA Group F – Finland vs Italy Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | +0.5 (+110) | +450 | O2.0 (-140) | +800 |
| Italy | -0.5 (-155) | -155 | U2.0 (+100) | -1250 |
| Draw | N/A | +240 | N/A | N/A |
*All odds taken 09/06/19
Italy Looks to Remain Undefeated in Group J Clash With Finland
The battle for top spot on the Group J table heats up on Sunday, as Finland plays host to Italy. The Eagle-Owls assured themselves of at least a berth in the playoffs with a narrow 1-0 victory over Greece on Thursday, and have now kept clean sheets in four straight wins, all in Euro 2020 qualification action.
The Finns have relied heavily on Teemu Pukki in their bid to advance to the Euro for the first time. Perched among the early leaders in goalscoring in Premier League action with recently promoted Norwich City, the 29-year-old striker has also regularly lit the lamp in Euro 2020 qualifying, scoring four of the club’s five goals over the past three matches.
?? Teemu Pukki has now scored 6 goals in his last 5 games for club & country ???
#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/O66Lr5bql8— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) September 5, 2019
But keeping pace with Italy’s high-powered offense could prove to be too much to ask. The Azzurri have filled the net during their 5-0-0 win-draw-loss run in group stage action, outscoring opponents by a wide 16-2 margin including a 2-0 blanking of Finland at Stadio Friuli on March 23.
The Azzurri have filled the net during their 5-0-0 win-draw-loss run in group stage action, outscoring opponents by a wide 16-2 margin.
Italian bench boss Roberto Mancini could be forced to make some personnel moves ahead of Sunday’s contest. Marco Verratti, who potted the game winner in Italy’s 2-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzogovia back in June, will be forced to sit after drawing his third yellow card of the group stage.
In addition, the status of Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne, who has two goals so far in qualifying remains uncertain. In addition, defenders Mattia De Sciglio and Giorgio Chiellini, and midfielder Bryan Cristante remain in doubt after missing this week’s 3-1 win over Armenia due to injury.
Football: Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne has been ruled out of Italy's plans for its Euro 2020 qualifiers against Armenia due to a muscle injury sustained in the 4-3 defeat to Juventus in Serie A pic.twitter.com/rsMi7ledfm
— ddsportschannel (@ddsportschannel) September 3, 2019
However, Italy enjoys a lengthy track record of success against Finland, surrendering just one total goal in eight meetings across all competitions since 1975. And with the Italians eager to clinch a Euro berth, and bury the memory of their humiliating failure in FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying, expect a huge effort from the Azzurri in Sunday’s contest.
Picks: Italy to win (-155), Alternate totals: Over 2.5 total goals (+135), Alternate spread: Italy -1.5 (+210)
UEFA Group F – Sweden vs Norway Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | -0.5 (-115) | -115 | O2.0 (-160) | +900 |
| Norway | +0.5 (-120) | +295 | U2.0 (+115) | +3300 |
| Draw | N/A | +240 | N/A | N/A |
Norway, Sweden Clash in Battle for Second Place in Group F
Norway will be aiming to continue the steady run that has put a berth in the Euro in reach for the first time since 2000 when they visit neighboring Sweden in a Group F matchup on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions are coming off back-to-back 2-0 wins over lightweights Malta and Faroe Islands to pull within two points of second-place Sweden on the Group F table. Norway is now undefeated in four matches, a run that started with a 3-3 draw with the Swedes on March 26.
#EuroQualifying #Euro2020 – #Norway 3 vs #viärsverige Sweden 3 Goals: Johnsen, King (head), Claesson, Nordtveit (own goal), Quaison, Kamara (head) at https://t.co/vAZCTHaGE4 pic.twitter.com/tynQ9nJELa
— Football-Lineups.com (@FootballLineups) March 27, 2019
Steady defense has been key to Norway’s steady 10-3-2 run across all competitions since the beginning of 2018. The Norwegians have also kept pace with Sweden in recent meetings, finishing level in three straight contests, and scoring first in the past two.
However, the squad will once again need big contributions from Joshua King and Bjorn Maars Johnsen. The duo have combined to score six of Norway’s nine goals to date, including two of the three markers in the squad’s draw with Sweden on Matchday 1.
?? Spain 3:0 Sweden ?? | Euro Qualifiers | Highlights pic.twitter.com/XsA9xWYxMY
— MTV (@meektv1) June 11, 2019
The Blue and Yellow return to action following a 4-0 rout of Faroe Islands on Thursday. Sweden has posted wins in their two previous home dates in group stage action, ending a shaky 1-2-2 run in five home contests since bowing out of the World Cup in the quarterfinals.
The Swedish defense has also been suspect at times. In addition to their 3-3 draw with Norway, the Swedes also suffered a 3-0 road loss to Spain back in June. They failed to hold a late-match lead in a 2-2 draw with Iceland in a January friendly, and suffered an embarrassing 3-2 loss to Turkey in UEFA Nations league action last fall.
Pick: Norway & Sweden Draw (+240), Alternate totals: Norway total goals Over 1.5 (+300), Both teams to score (+100)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
