Soccer betting tips and predictions

*matches in all competitions

Portugal last 5 matches: 

Portugal last 3 home matches: 

Bosnia last 5 matches: 

Bosnia last 3 away matches: 

FIFA World rank positions: Portugal - 8, Bosnia - 21

Decisive matches of the two leg play-off for the Euro 2012 will kick off on Tuesday with Portugal welcoming Bosnia Herzegovina after a goalless draw last week.

Portugal clearly with the favorite status as they will play this decisive match on home ground and although failed to score, they managed to keep a clean sheet in Bosnia.

Their fragile defense was obvious especially in the last minutes of the game and it’s clearly their biggest problem with the offensive players and needing to step up.

Bosnia Herzegovina has come a a long way in the past few years, displaying young and talented players from top European sides but as the case with the World Cup playoff, where they faced the same Portugal, they still have to make the team function as one.

A good performance in the home game in terms of play and score, keeping Portugal from scoring the crucial away goal as happened two years ago.

My pick:  Portugal to win ( under 2.5 goals )

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*matches in all competitions

Turkey last 5 matches: 

Turkey last 3 home matches: 

Croatia last 5 matches: 

Croatia last 3 away matches: 

FIFA World rank positions: Turkey - 26, Croatia  - 12

Arguably one of the most important and evenly balanced matches in the Euro 2012 preliminaries on Friday as Turkey welcomes Croatia for the first of a two game play-off that will grant access to the final tournament next year.

Turkey entered this stage of the competition after finishing second in the Euro 2012 preliminaries Group A. They totaled 17 points, no less than 13 from top spot Germany but two above third in line Belgium.

They look like having the first chance in advancing, largely due to their past experiences in the tournament, but turkey’s level has droped considerably in past years leading to this very balanced duel.

Croatia was second in Group F of the Euro preliminaries, managing a total of 22 points in all 10 matches played, two below leaders Greece and a comfortable 6 points advantage over third Israel.

Although ranking better than their competitors in the FIFA World rank, Croatia will have a very though time against Turkey and especially in this first match that no doubt will be played against a clouded and hostile stadium.

My pick:  Turkey to win ( under 2.5 goals )

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*matches in all competitions

Spain last 5 matches:

Spain last 3 home matches:

Scotland last 5 matches:

Scotland last 3 away matches:

Group I positions: Spain - 1, Scotland - 2

Last matches of the Euro 2012 preliminary on Tuesday with Spain the Euro and World Cup holders already qualified after a perfect run in the group stage as they welcome Scotland in a very interesting fixture, especially after the goal festival in the first leg between the two.

Spain had no problem in disposing of every opponent in Group I so far, totaling 21 points in all 7 played with a superb goal balance of +18.

Great run for them when adding up the friendlies, Spain winning 8 of the past 9 games played, suffering only one defeat against Italy in August.

Scotland currently on the second spot of the group with only one point above the Czech Republic making this an all or nothing game for them if they are to hold the playoff spot.

They have played a great game at home against Spain coming back after being two goals down and losing only after Lorente scored in the 79′ minute.

My pick:  Spain to win ( under 2.5 goals )

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*matches in all competitions

France last 5 matches:

France last 3 home matches:

Albania last 5 matches:

Albania last 3 away matches:

Group D positions: France - 1, Albania - 5

Only two more matches remain to be played in the Euro 2012 preliminaries with much of the favorites already in the final tournament as the case with France needing the 3 points against Albania to top the group with one more game to spare.

France is currently top of the chart with a total of 18 points in all 8 games played, only Bosnia threatening their domination as they stand just one point below.

They won 1-2 away to Albania in early September, their only victory in the last 3 Euro games as they finished one all away to Belarus and with a goalless draw in their latest against Romania.

Albania only on the 5th spot of the group with a total of just 8 points in 8 played. No chance for them to be in the final tournament and a small margin of movement as they are 4 points below Romania and Belarus.

With only one victory for them in the last 6 games played in the competition and 3 straight victories in the latest matches they stand little chance of grabbing a positive result against France on Friday.

My pick:  France to win ( under 2.5 goals )

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*matches in all competitions

Romania last 5 matches:  

Romania last 3 home matches:    

France last 5 matches:

France last 3 away matches:   

Romania Group D spot: 4

France Group D spot: 1

Big night for Romania as it unveils the new National Arena stadium that will host this year’s Europa League final in the presence of Group D leaders France.

Romania still hoping for a qualifying spot to next year’s Euro 2012 final tournament but by the look of the group standings and play, their hopes lie more in the fantasy realm.

They managed a victory last week in what can now be called a group derby as they defeated Luxembourg 2-0 the final score but they are still on a disappointing 4th spot of the table with a total of 11 points in 7 matches played, five below their current adversaries France and two below next in line Bosnia.

France is right on track to qualify to the final tournament as they lead Group D with a total of 16 points in all 7 played. Only Belarus managed to dampen their great run after a 2-1 victory in France and an one all draw in Belarus.

They managed a 2-0 scoreline against Romania on Stade de France in October last year after a match that they clearly dominated, Romania managing to reach their box only one or twice in the entire game.

My tip:  France to win ( under 2.5 goals )

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