Football
Derek Bilton, ESPN.co.uk betting writer 4y

Will England suffer more Euro 2020 woe in Bulgaria?

We drew a blank last time out with England's shock defeat to Czech Republic, one of several surprise Euro 2020 qualifying results. However there's plenty for punters to get stuck into this week as the qualifying action continues apace.

Running total: +£48.40

The Banker

Friday's 2-1 defeat to Czech Republic was England's first loss in qualifying for a decade and sparked a predictably hysterical reaction from the tabloids.

For the first time in a long while, Gareth Southgate received some stinging criticism from the media, with the general consensus being he should stick to picking his best team available rather than trying to over complicate matters by picking players based on future potential. One thing is for certain. Southgate has plenty of work to do on this Three Lions defence. Organising, concentrating, marking and communicating all need improving based on Friday's shambolic evidence. Thankfully it's not Brazil next but Bulgaria. They are winless in 10 matches and five of those games have come under Krasimir Balakov, a star of Bulgaria's astonishing run to the World Cup semifinals in 1994.

Bookmakers rightly rate England as heavy odds-on shots on Monday night, but England may underestimate the task in hand at their peril. Bulgaria have lost only four of their 16 home matches since 2015 and are rarely outclassed in Sofia. England opened up at 1/7 in the betting with some firms but Gareth Southgate's men have now settled at 1/4 with bet365, for those who like a heavy bet on a 'good thing.' However their continued defensive frailties, exposed so ruthlessly in Prague, allied to the fact they've scored 20 goals now in five qualifying matches, means that both teams to score at 5/4 looks the likeliest outcome in Sofia.

Selection: £6 on both teams to score at 5/4 with bet365.

The Tasty Treble

Republic of Ireland battled gamely to draw 0-0 in Georgia on Saturday but should find Switzerland a much tougher assignment, and we like the home win here at 8/15. It's a potentially pivotal clash in Group D, as Nations League semifinalists Switzerland currently find themselves in third place in the group after a 1-0 defeat by Denmark last time out. However we fancy them to breach Ireland's dogged defence to claim a narrow win and breathe new life into their qualifying campaign.

Elsewhere, Spain at 10/11 look a solid bet against Sweden on Tuesday. La Roja had not put a foot wrong in qualifying (six wins from six matches) until they were pegged back in injury time and had to settle for a draw against Norway on Saturday, but can get back to winning ways against the Swedes.

Finally, add in Bosnia & Herzegovina at 13/10 to topple Greece. Italy are the runaway leaders in Group J but Bosnia still harbour hopes of finishing second and should have enough quality to get past a very ordinary Greek side.

Selection: £4 on the treble at 5.73/1 with bet365.

The First Goal Flutter

Lazio star Ciro Immobile failed to find the net in Saturday's 2-0 win over Greece but looks a logical call to score first when the Azzurri face minnows Liechtenstein on Tuesday night. A resurgent Italy have a perfect record in Group J and Immobile -- who has scored nine goals already this season for club and country -- can help them to an eighth group win by scoring first this week.

Selection: £5 on Immobile to score first at 13/5 with bet365.

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