Back the draw in Ukraine and England

After a comfortable 4-0 victory over Moldova on Friday night the real task of trying to qualify for England starts when they travel to Ukraine. England currently sit top of the group on 15 points from seven games, while Montenegro have the same points from eight games and Ukraine 14 points from seven games.

The meeting on Tuesday night (7:45pm, ITV) will be their seventh between Ukraine and England with England having won four and lost just one of their last six. An England victory is priced at 7/4 (STAN JAMES) as they look to continue a run of away form that has seen them lose just one of their last 13 competitive away games (excluding neutral venues).

Ukraine can take heart from the fact that defeat came to them in 2009 though it was a game in which England under Fabio Capello had already qualified. The home side are 9/5 (GENERAL) victory and they can have lost just two of their last 13 games at home. I think the draw is a real player as this was the result when these two sides met in the European Championships last year. It is also an outcome that will suit England well and with a number of injuries to key strikers Roy Hodgson has no choice but to pack his midfield with players and keep things tight. The game to finish all square is a 23/10 (GENERAL) chance.

The FYR Macedonia entertain Scotland on the same evening (7:30pm, BBC Scotland) in a game between two teams that have no chance of qualifying. Macedonia saw off Wales on Friday night and this made it five wins from their last six home internationals and they are 11/8 (paddy Power/ladbrokes) to see off Scotland.

Scotland did lose last time out to Belgium though again they can take some encouragement from their performance and they are 13/5 (BETVICTOR) the victory here while the draw is available at 23/10 (GENERAL). Last time I opted to go for both teams to score in Scotland v Belgium and the Tartan Army failed to do the business. This time I think this option must be backed at 11/10 (CORAL). All four games between the sides at the bottom end of this group have seen both teams score.

Wales entertain Serbia in Group A in a game between two sides with little to play for. It has hard to get excited by the betting for this game with both teams having nothing to play for. Serbia are the marginal favourites at 13/8 (BETVICTOR) while a Welsh victory is priced at 15/8 (GENERAL) and the draw is 23/10 (GENERAL).

Northern Ireland and Luxembourg is another game between two sides with nothing to play for with Northern Ireland 23/20 (BETVICTOR) the victory, Luxembourg 29/10 (boylesports/BWIN) and the draw available at 12/5 (GENERAL).

The Republic of Ireland suffered a huge disappointment when losing 2-1 to Sweden on Friday night and now know that fate is not in their hands in finishing second. An away visit to Austria is up next for the Green Army and it is not an easy task as the Austrians have lost just one of the last seven meetings between these sides. You can back the home side at evens (BETVICTOR/paddy Power) while the draw is 5/2 (GENERAL). Despite a poor showing against Sweden I think the Republic can bounce back here. With little to choose between the pair the 2/1 (GENERAL) on the Republic in the draw no bet market.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Rep of Ireland draw no bet v Austria, 2/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Draw between Ukraine and England, 23/10 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: BOTH teams to score in Macedonia v Scotland, 11/10 (CORAL)

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10/09/2013     © Frixo 2026