This week sees the next set of games in the Euro 2024 Qualifiers take place. Starting with Matchday 7 matches on Thursday to Saturday, followed by Matchday 8 games from Sunday to Tuesday next week.
We’ll be focusing on the games for Matchday 7, and bringing you my tips on the games that matter the most.
There are a number of teams that are very close to securing their place in next year’s finals in Germany. Add to that the big announcement that England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will host Euro 2028, interest in these parts of the world will be huge.
Scotland, for example, are just two points away from securing their place in the 2024 finals. Other countries, such as France and Portugal have 100% winning records in their groups like Scotland and are also very close to confirming their place in Germany next year.
For other teams though, it is about putting themselves in contention for a qualifying spot by picking up a win or two over these next two crucial sets of games.
Let’s now focus on the key games coming up on Matchday 7, with all odds shown provided by bet365 Sport and correct at the time of writing.
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Euro 2024 Key Qualifiers – Matchday 7
Thursday 12th October
Group A
- Spain v Scotland
Scotland need just two more points, or Norway to drop points in Cyprus in order to be assured of a place in the finals. However, Spain could claw back the deficit to the Scots to just three points with a win in Seville. The Spaniards would also have a game in hand as they have played just four games as opposed to Scotland’s five.
The Scots recent great form was halted in a 1-3 home loss to England last month, but they did beat Spain 2-0 at Hampden at the start of the qualifiers and have won their next four games since.
That said, I think the Spaniards great recent form, scoring 13 goals in their last 2 Euro 2024 games, means that they should be regarded as the favourites here.
Tip – Spain 3-0 Scotland – 13/2
Group D
- Croatia v Turkey
The two teams at the top of the table in Group D meet in Croatia with the hosts in the strong position of topping the group with a game in hand on all the other four teams. Turkey know that a defeat here could well bring Armenia and Wales back into contention for the runner up spot, with Latvia bottom of the group with five defeats in five games.
The Croatians won 2-0 in Turkey back in March, but since then the Turkish side have won two and drawn one of their three qualifying fixtures. However, last time out they were well beaten 4-2 in a friendly against Japan.
With the experience Croatia have at the highest level and the fact that they are still playing at a very high level, I am backing the home side to land the win here too and a certain player to get on the scoresheet.
Tip – Luka Modric (Croatia) to score at any time – 3/1
Friday 13th October
Group B
- Netherlands v France
Perhaps the biggest game in this set of fixtures sees the Netherlands lock horn with France again, just a few months following the French team’s emphatic 4-0 win over the Dutch on home soil, which saw France 3-0 up within the first 25 minutes.
The Netherlands have won just one of their last seven games and while their form is not great, they still have just one defeat in this group. However, they will also know that a defeat here and a Greek win in Ireland could put them in a precarious position in the group.
The problem they have is stopping a massively gifted French team packed with young talent and a number of huge stars who will be introduced from the bench too and I feel that may just be too much for the Dutch to overcome here.
Tip – France to win – 6/5
- Republic of Ireland v Greece
Can the Irish get back to winning ways against a Greece side that defeated them just a couple of months ago? This young Irish team has found scoring goals a problem, but they do have talented players. They just lack big time match experience at international level and it has showed especially in the key games in Group F.
Greece could capitalise in Group B if France were to beat the Netherlands and a win here would give Greece a genuine chance to cause an upset and perhaps claim the second qualifying spot in this group behind France, especially seeing as they have to face both the Dutch and French at home in their remaining games.
I’m not sure they will get that win though as on home soil, I think the Irish will be strong enough to claim a win here.
Tip – Ireland to win – 7/5
Group F
- Austria v Belgium
With the news Eden Hazard has retired from football, Belgium have lost one of their global superstars of the game ahead of this key fixture against an Austria team who are pushing them hard in Group F. Both teams have 13 points from five games and are seven points clear of Sweden in third, who have also played five matches.
As such, both teams may feel that a draw is a good result for them here as it will keep the Swedes out of touching distance, even if the Swedes win their game this week. However, Austria have an easier run in than Belgium so they may look at this game as one they could snatch top spot of the group with if they can manage a win.
The two teams drew when they met in Brussels on Matchday 3 and I can see something similar happening here too.
Tip – Austria v Belgium – Draw – 9/4
Saturday 14th October
Group G
- Hungary v Serbia
Hungary picked up a massive win against Serbia last month in this group and with it, took control at the top of the table. They’ve played a game less than their opponents today but have the same number of points and are unbeaten in this group.
Serbia are a tricky team to predict. On their day, they can cause problems for any team, but also they can lose to any team. Hungary showed greater consistency in the last game between the two and it was the key factor in their 2-1 win.
These teams have played four times and on three occasions, the away team has won with the other match a draw. I have a feeling that this record may go by the wayside on Saturday.
Tip – Hungary to win – 6/4
Other Euro 2024 Qualifiers on Matchday 7
Other games being played on Matchday 7 in the Euro 2024 Qualifiers include:
Thursday 12th October
- Group A – Cyprus v Norway
- Group D – Latvia v Armenia
- Group E – Albania v Czechia, Faroe Islands v Poland
- Group I – Andorra v Kosovo, Belaris v Romania
Friday 13th October
- Group F – Estonia v Azerbaijan
- Group J – Iceland v Luxembourg, Liechtenstein v Bosnia & Herz, Portugal v Slovakia
Saturday 14th October
- Group C – Ukraine v North Macedonia, Italy v Malta
- Group G – Bulgaria v Lithuania
- Group H – Northern Ireland v San Marino, Slovenia v Finland, Denmark v Kazakhstan
