Nations preparing for Euro 2024 continue to play their final pre-tournament friendlies on Sunday, with four participants in Germany looking to fine-tune their tactics before the 14th of June.
Our tips focus on three of the four in Slovakia’s meeting with Rob Page’s Wales in Trnava, Italy’s home encounter with Bosnia-Herzegovina at Empoli’s Stadio Carlo Castellani and France’s second ever meeting with Canada when they face-off in Bordeaux.
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Bet of the Day
Slovakia to win v Wales @ 21/20
The Falcons enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over the lowest ranked side in world football in San Marino on Wednesday and they could head into the finals in Germany with even more confidence with victory over Wales.
Slovakia finished comfortably in second place in Group J behind Portugal in qualifying, while only four other runners-up finished with superior defensive records than Slovakia’s seven goals against.
Wales fell at the final hurdle as Dan James’ missed penalty ensured defeat for the Dragons against Poland in their play-off final via the lottery of a shootout and their goalless draw with Gibraltar last time out indicates that they may not have fully recovered from that heartbreak.
It could open the door for the Falcons to claim a first victory over Wales since 2006 and, with just one defeat from their last four home matches, Slovakia will be confident that they can go into the European Championships on the back of victory.
Special of the day
Federico Chiesa to score anytime in Italy v Bosnia-Herzegovina @ 9/5
Reigning champions Italy are widely regarded as not being major contenders for this year’s crown, with many of the crucial old guard now retired in the form of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
A difficult qualifying campaign saw the Azzurri pip Ukraine to second place on goal difference however their recent form has shown steady signs of improvement for Luciano Spalletti’s men, with just one defeat from their last 10 internationals.
A meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina provides their final challenge before the start of their Euros campaign and plenty of the squad will be hoping to head into the group stages in strong form.
Winger Federico Chiesa is undoubtedly one of the main threats for Italy in front of goal, with only midfielder Nicolo Barella netting on more occasions for the Azzurri than Chiesa’s seven.
With two goals from his last three appearances for club and country, he could continue his goalscoring form on Sunday.
Longshot of the day
France to win to nil and over 3.5 goals v Canada @ 23/5
France are one of the favourites for glory in Germany and a qualifying campaign with seven victories and one draw from their eight matches only highlights the strength of the former world champions heading into the tournament.
Les Bleus have won five of their last eight home matches to nil and should be able to comfortably see off a Canada side without a win over European opposition since 2011 (v Belarus).
Their goalscoring exploits have been equally impressive, with only Portugal netting more goals (36) than France’s 29 in qualifying and, with 26 goals scored across their last six matches (14 of which coming against Gibraltar), there could be goals galore for the French on Sunday and a winner in the over 3.5 goals market looks tempting.
Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change*
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