This summer, the UEFA European Championship takes place across the continent, with matches being played in 12 different cities, including Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, Munich, Rome and St Petersburg, before the final in London on Sunday 12 July.
But before this year’s Euros get underway, there’s the small matter of the play-offs to complete qualifying and determine exactly which nations will be competing this summer.
How Do The Playoffs Work?
16 teams head into the play-offs at the end of March, with only four able to progress to the finals, in what is a different playoff format to previous years. This time around, teams will have to win two separate ties in order to reach the Euros 2020 finals, having earned their place through the new UEFA Nations League.
Euros 2020 qualifying bets are already being placed and with several lesser-known nations involved, it’s a good time to start doing some homework.
Iceland was the surprise side at Euro 2016, knocking England out in the Round of 16 to progress to the quarter-finals. To reach this year’s tournament, they will have to beat Romania and then get past the winner of Bulgaria v Hungary.
There’s also the mouth-watering prospect of a grudge match between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland should they beat Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovakia respectively.
The winners of Path C, which will be one of Norway and Serbia, and Scotland and Israel, will go into England’s group in the Euros, alongside Croatia and the Czech Republic.
And the final spot will be earned by the victor of Georgia/Belarus v North Macedonia/Kosovo.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Tips
Euro 2020 qualifying odds can be found for a range of bets, including half-time and full-time results, first goalscorers, number of bookings, goals per game, and many more besides.
Historically, there are some interesting stats and trivia to draw upon from previous play-off ties. For example, the side which has scored first has won every single play-off tie since 2004, and 14 out of 18 ties in total. Only one player – Ruud van Nistelrooy of the Netherlands – has ever scored a play-off hat-trick, while there has never been a goalless tie in the history of the Euro play-offs.
Mixed Fortunes For Current Playoff Nations
Of the nations involved in this year’s play-off fixtures, Scotland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Norway have played two, lost two of their previous playoff matches. Israel has also had a poor previous experience, losing their only tie. The Republic of Ireland have had mixed fortunes previously, winning two and losing two, while Hungary won their only previous play-off fixture.
Players to look out for include Aleksandar Mitrovic of Serbia, Scotland’s John McGinn – who is likely to return from injury in time for the play-offs – Gylfi Sigurdsson of Iceland and Bosnia’s Edin Dzeko.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Rounds Betting Tips & Predictions
Euro 2020 qualifying betting and odds will vary as the ties approach, so if you’re looking to take a punt on McGinn being fit, for example, you may find more favourable odds sooner rather than later, while he is still on the sidelines.
If you are looking for the best Euro 2020 Qualifying betting tips and fresh news when the event takes place, you might want to check BetGold’s News and tips section.
Play responsibly, 18+
