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Sunday's European Championship Qualifying predictions including Ireland vs. Netherlands

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 September 2023, 05:00
Kazakhstan vs. N. Ireland (Sunday, 2.00pm)

Aiming to end a four-game losing run in Euro 2024 qualifying, Northern Ireland travel to the Astana Arena to do battle with Kazakhstan on Sunday afternoon.

Fifth-placed Northern Ireland trail fourth-placed Kazakhstan by six points in Group H, while the Hawks find themselves one point shy of the top two.

We say: Kazakhstan 2-1 Northern Ireland

Carrying a four-game losing streak into Sunday's showdown, struggling Northern Ireland are on course to suffer a fifth successive defeat at the expense of Kazakhstan, who look set to strengthen their qualification bid with a fourth victory in five outings.

Faroe Islands vs. Moldova (Sunday, 5.00pm)

As the Euro 2024 qualifying process continues, Group F's bottom two meet on Sunday evening, when Faroe Islands host Moldova.

While the Faroes lost again earlier this week, to stay four points adrift of their visitors, Moldova continued an impressive run of results by drawing with Austria in a friendly.

We say: Faroe Islands 1-2 Moldova

Moldova have conceded relatively few goals in recent outings, as they continue to improve their place in the international pecking order. While the Tricolorii have lost just once in eight matches, their hosts have been short of success for some time now and will succumb to another defeat on Sunday.

Montenegro vs. Bulgaria (Sunday, 5.00pm)

Still in the hunt for a place at Euro 2024, Montenegro host Group G rivals Bulgaria in Sunday's qualifying clash at Podgorica City Stadium.

While the visitors are trailing behind on two points and sit bottom of the five-team section, the Brave Falcons could move into the top two with a win this weekend.

We say: Montenegro 1-0 Bulgaria

A lack of bite means that Bulgaria do not pose a major threat to Montenegro's qualification dreams - they have averaged only a goal every two games in their last six matches. As a result, the hosts should secure maximum points and keep pressure on the nations above them in Group G.

Finland vs. Denmark (Sunday, 5.00pm)

Finland welcome Nordic neighbours Denmark to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Sunday as both nations bid to enhance their Euro 2024 qualification prospects.

The hosts maintained their two-point lead atop Group H with a 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan on Thursday, while the visitors thrashed San Marino 4-0 last time out.

We say: Finland 1-1 Denmark

There is no hiding the fact that Denmark claimed a dominant 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture, but Finland have registered four consecutive clean-sheet wins since then.

For that reason, we expect the Eagle-Owls to frustrate the Reds and Whites this time around, with the Nordic neighbours likely to share the spoils in Helsinki.

Rep. Ireland vs. Netherlands (Sunday, 7.45pm)

On the back of a chastening loss to France, things do not get any easier for the Republic of Ireland when they welcome the Netherlands to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group B encounter.

Stephen Kenny's side were seen off 2-0 by Les Bleus on Thursday evening, while their visitors put three unanswered goals past Greece in a straightforward success.

We say: Republic of Ireland 0-2 Netherlands

Kenny has implored Ireland to deliver the "performance of their lives" if they are to deny the Netherlands a third maximum in a row, but rallying cries may not be enough for a nation whose inconsistency at home has bedevilled them in recent months.

The Boys in Green can boast a respectable head-to-head record versus the Netherlands, but if their win over Greece is anything to go by, Koeman's men are firmly back on track and should leave Dublin with another three points in the bag.

> How the Netherlands could line up against Ireland

Greece vs. Gibraltar (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Seeking to recover from back-to-back losses in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B, Greece welcome whipping boys Gibraltar to the Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens on Sunday night.

Gus Poyet's team were put to the sword 3-0 by the Netherlands last time out, while their visitors were most recently in friendly action against Malta, suffering a 1-0 defeat.

We say: Greece 4-0 Gibraltar

A Greece team seeking to restore a sense of pride from beating at the hands of the Dutch will no doubt be a dangerous proposition for a feeble Gibraltar outfit, whose main focus will surely be keeping the scoreline as respectable as possible.

Even though Poyet's side have a safety net thanks to their Nations League success, the hosts should not rest on their laurels on Sunday and will be expected to march to an emphatic success with a few goals in tow.

Albania vs. Poland (Sunday, 7.45pm)

A crucial clash in Euro 2024 qualifying takes place on Sunday, as Albania welcome Group E rivals Poland to Tirana.

After four matches, both teams trail Czech Republic in the race for a top-two finish, which would secure a spot in Germany for next summer - and Poland are a point behind their hosts heading into the weekend.

We say: Albania 1-2 Poland

Poland can do the double over their fellow Eagles, as their superior firepower should separate the sides on Sunday. After some bumps in the road, many pundits' group favourites are bound to get back on track for a trip to Germany next summer - though the hosts will not make life easy amid a febrile atmosphere in Tirana.

Lithuania vs. Serbia (Sunday, 7.45pm)

After a midweek setback left Serbia second in Group G of Euro 2024 qualifying, they visit winless Lithuania on Sunday, aiming to provide an immediate response.

Before travelling to Kaunas, the Eagles suffered defeat to Hungary in their first fixture of the international period, while their hosts fought back to steal a point against Montenegro.

We say: Lithuania 0-2 Serbia

Serbia should expect to do the double over lowly Lithuania, who simply cannot buy a win and could be bound for bottom place in Group G. The gulf in class between the teams will be apparent, but a dogged rearguard action by the home side may keep the scoreline respectable.

San Marino vs. Slovenia (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Sitting at the foot of FIFA's world rankings, San Marino will be hoping to avoid another humiliating defeat when Slovenia visit Serravalle in Euro 2024 qualifying on Sunday.

Unsurprisingly, San Marino also find themselves rock bottom of Group H without a single point to their name, while third-placed Slovenia sit two points shy of group leaders Finland.

We say: San Marino 0-4 Slovenia

With all due respect to San Marino, anything other than a high-scoring away win would be a big shock in Serravalle, so we expect Slovenia to cruise to a comfortable victory on Sunday.

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