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Europe World Cup Qualifying – March 26

Europe World Cup

Europe World Cup qualifying enters a third straight day of fixtures on Sunday, March 26.

A total of 27 matches between 54 remaining teams in Europe wrap up matchday 5 of Round 1 this weekend. As six of the nine groups have completed their matches on Friday and/or Saturday, nine fixtures fill the Sunday slate.

To be consistent with how I have formatted these three days in Europe, let me again lead you to the FIFA page that holds the results and tables.

Again, I will mention that there are nine groups of six teams, labeled A – I at this point of Europe World Cup qualifying. The teams from Groups A, B, and H were represented on Saturday, and Groups D, G, and I played their matches on Friday. Groups C, E, and F will be topics of discussion today, and we will start this process all over again in June. The next set of fixtures to be played in Europe are set for June 9, 10 and 11.

Be on the lookout for some plays from this guy throughout that entire three-day process.

I will mention this briefly before I put the lines up, that I have the same routine I like to follow. I hope it makes sense to those who are either new to the site, or betting in general. Please, if you have any questions about lines, formats, or anything else, just leave a comment, and I will reply.

Please become accustomed to seeing the listing of the 1×2 3-Way lines, the handicap/spread lines, and the totals for each match.

Let’s do this!

Sunday, March 26 – 9 Matches

Armenia vs Kazakhstan
3-Way 1×2 Lines:
Armenia -120
Kazakhstan +380
Draw +240

Handicap/Spread:
Armenia -0.5 -120
Kazakhstan +0.5 +100

Total 2:
Over -140
Under +120

Azerbaijan vs Germany
Azerbaijan +2200
Germany -725
Draw +750

Azerbaijan +2.5 -120
Germany -2.5 +100

Total 3:
Over -120
Under +100

England vs Lithuania
England -750
Lithuania +2425
Draw +810

England -2.5 +105
Lithuania +2.5 -125

Total 3:
Over -120
Under +100

San Marino vs Czech Republic
S. Marino NL
Czech Rep NL
Draw NL

S. Marino +4 +120
Czech Rep -4 -120

Total 4.5:
Over +115
Under -135

Malta vs Slovakia
Malta +2700
Slovakia -625
Draw +625

Malta +2.5 -135
Slovakia -2.5 +115

Total 2.5:
Over -125
Under +105

Montenegro vs Poland
Montenegro +350
Poland -115
Draw +245

Montenegro +0.5 -105
Poland -0.5 -115

Total 2.5:
Over +125
Under -145

Northern Ireland vs Norway
N. Ireland +140
Norway +240
Draw +205

N. Ireland 0/Pk -150
Norway 0/Pk +130

Total 2:
Over -105
Under -115

Romania vs Denmark
Romania +180
Denmark +170
Draw +210

Romania 0/Pk -105
Denmark 0/Pk -115

Total 2:
Over -120
Under +100

Scotland vs Slovenia
Scotland +130
Slovenia +240
Draw +210

Scotland -0.5 +130
Slovenia +0.5 -150

Total 2:
Over -110
Under -110

The Group C table is certainly tilted in favor of the Germans, which does not leave many shocked. How about those 16 goals scored while not allowing a single ball in the back of their own net yet? Granted, we are four fixtures into this round of Europe World Cup qualifying,

A trip to Azerbaijan comes on Sunday for Germany, and they are favored by -2.5 on the handicap, but the line setters left the total at a simple 3. NASA tells us that the only way for Germany to cover that -2.5 handicap, is to score three goals. Suffice it to say that they can handle that, and Azerbaijan has only two goals to their credit in their four outings of Group C play.

First of all, I am going to suggest a play on Corners in the Azerbaijan / Germany match. It will come with a play on the total.

Suggested Plays:
Azerbaijan / Germany
Over 10 Corners @ +100
Germany AH -2.5 @ -120

Have you ever heard the expression, “Fortune Favors the Bold”?

It is time to get a little bold, and with boldness comes favorable lines to take advantage of.

England is hosting Lithuania, and of course the line setters are giving Lithuania no chance of competing.

How lovely does that ‘Both Teams to Score’ prop at +200 look? It is staring right in your face if you have Bet365 Open. Today is the day that England gets scored on, in my honest opinion. I see so many prop bets out there that will be huge to touch, even if the Lithuanians score just a single time. England is listed at +175 to NOT keep a clean sheet, and England to win and Both to Score in a combo prop is listed at +260.

In  other words, if Lithuania scores and you have any prop that pertains to them scoring, you will likely see + money, and value galore!

Suggested Bets:
England / Lithuania
Total Goals Over 3 @ -120
Both Teams to Score (YES) @ +200
Bet365 Prop – Total Goals Over 2.5 + BTTS @ +250

As soon as that only goal we need from Lithuania hits the net, it should really put three bets in nice shape.
Plus, if you can pick out which half that goal comes for Lithuania? Yummy prices on that, because I see +600 the ‘Both Teams to Score in the First Half’ Prop, and that defines bold! I won’t get all stupid ballsy, because I am not just going to throw a dozen props out, despite those opportunities when you think all it could take is a damn goal!
One lousy, innocent, accidental if need be, goal from Lithuania!

Phew, okay, so I was thinking about putting in San Marino to win at +24,000! Holy cow man, we do not see that kind of stuff too often. Diamond, and plenty of other sportsbooks out there, don’t even offer a straight-up line to win on either side. That is why you see I have NL listed in the 1×2 3-Way portion of the San Marino vs Czech Republic match.

The odds of San Marino winning any match in Europe World Cup qualifying will always be astronomical. More often then not, it is just a matter of how many goals San Marino will allow every time they take the pitch. Winning is just not even something in sight, and it’s been so long now, that they are just used to it now.

Call it a doormat, a stepping stone, or a walk over, push over, move over, whatever it is, it’s ugly.

So the question for the Czech Republic, and us as bettors, is can they cover the handicap offer? Can we trust the Czechs to score five goals to cover each of those offers we see on the handicap and total?

This is where that bold side of me carries over, because I can’t believe I am getting this bold.

Ready? I mean am I even ready for what I am about to suggest?

Suggested Play:
San Marino / Czech Republic
San Marino +4 AH @ +120

Now that Europe has set their clocks ahead, four matches will kick off a 1 p.m ET, and the other five at 2:45 p.m.

I gave out plays from the early fixtures and that leaves five matches left for me to think about.
I will be betting on the later games as the first games are in flow, so I will leave you with the plays posted. Although hold on, because I do want to leave you with a play from the match between Poland and Montenegro.

You see in the lines I have posted above, that the total is listed at 2.5. The alternate total is where I would like you to look, because I see even money (+100) on the Over 2 & 2.5 handicap offer.

I think these two will undoubtedly score on each other, and that too is something that will make suggest a second bet pertaining to the match being played at Padgorica Stadium.

Suggested Plays:
Montenegro / Poland
Total Goals Over 2 & 2.5 AH @ +100
Both Teams to Score (YES) @ +100

Let me wrap this up here so you can get your action in and have another reason to watch the Europe World Cup qualifying matches for Sunday.

On March 28, Asia and South America will have a round of fixtures taking place, so I will catch you for those soon enough.

Remember, as Europe World Cup qualifying for this round comes to a close, Diamond is the place to be. For all of your domestic and league soccer action, check em out today, and enjoy the ride.

Written by EJ the Rainmaker

EJ Garr has been a freelance sports writer and handicapper for more than 20 years. He appeared as a featured writer in Beckett's Magazine for the 2014 World Cup. An experienced radio host, he also lends his voice to the radio shows on the Sports Palooza Radio Network, which includes a weekly segment dedicated to the NY Cosmos.

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