Taking perhaps an unwelcome break from the intensity of the Premier League the week’s footballing attention turns to the latest set of international friendlies before the summer’s Euro 2016!

First up is the only home country side not to be travelling to France in June, as Scotland visit the Czech Republic at 7.45pm on Premier Sports. Edged out of the play-off spot in easily the toughest group in the qualifiers by the Republic of Ireland Scotland nevertheless produced a string of decent results that included draws against Poland (twice) and Republic of Ireland, a win against the Irish at Hampden Park and a narrow, heart-breaking 3-2 loss to Germany that effectively sealed their fate.



Whilst Scotland were dealt a raw deal in their group the Czech Republic certainly didn’t have it easy either. Losses against dark horses Iceland and Turkey couldn’t prevent the Czech side from topping Group A, the highlights being 2-1 and 3-2 victories over the Netherlands, whose latest disintegration was one of the biggest stories of the qualification period. Whilst they were humbled in their most recent friendly against Poland, losing 3-0, the Narodak are still favourites for Thursday, Spreadex offering a Czech Republic/Scotland Goal Supremacy spread of 0.65-0.85 with a Total Goals spread of 2.3-2.5.

Thursday’s other game is a defiantly home-grown affair, with Wales hosting Northern Ireland at 7.45pm on BBC Two Wales. Narrowly missing out on the Group B top spot (leaving them to face England, Russia and Slovakia in the competition proper) Wales nevertheless impressed in qualification, the most momentous moment being a Gareth Bale-inspired victory over Belgium. However the Welsh talisman, scorer of 7 goals in qualifying, will miss the friendly due to his recurring calf problem, joining Aaron Ramsey and James Collins on the absentee list.



Even more so than Wales, Northern Ireland’s qualification story was one for the history books, topping Group F to reach their first ever international competition. They only lost once in their 10 games (to Romania), winning 6 and drawing 3; yet, frustratingly for the Norn Iron, they have been dealt an incredibly cruel group when they travel to France in June, taking part in what is arguably the Group of Death with Germany, Poland and Ukraine. Thursday, then, provides them with a chance to stake their claim as something other than an international minnow; not that our Spreadex traders are too hopeful, offering a Wales/Northern Ireland Goal Supremacy spread of 0.15-0.35 with a Total Goals spread of 2.1-2.3.

Finally Friday sees a jubilant Republic of Ireland take on Switzerland at 7.45pm on Premier Sports. Besting Scotland to reach the play-offs after a historic victory over world champions Germany, Ireland then faced Bosnia-Herzegovina (who Wales had edged out of Group B). A 1-1 draw in Zenica, with that important away goal from Robbie Brady, was them followed by an impressive 2-0 win in Dublin, securing Ireland’s place in France, where they face the unenviable trio of Belgium, Italy and Sweden.



Ireland’s opponents are Switzerland, who finished a distant runner-up to an unbeaten England in Group E. The Swiss were typically solid if typically unspectacular in qualification, their losses to England and a slip up against Slovenia joined by 7 wins, setting up a relatively kind group in the competition proper that sees them face their neighbours, Euro-host, France, Romania and Albania. Our Spreadex traders also expect the Swiss to surprise the Irish in Dublin, offering a Switzerland/Republic of Ireland (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0-0.2 with a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.

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