Midweek tips: Argentina win, England high scorer, Ronaldo goal

With some big international clashes coming up this week, there is plenty to preview. Portugal head into a make or break game against North Macedonia while England host Ivory Coast in their next friendly.

The South American World Cup qualifiers are a qualifying campaign like no other. Every game resonates with relevance and rivalry. Unlike their European WC qualifying counterparts, there are rarely any mismatches or foregone conclusions in Latin America.

Wednesday’s clash between Ecuador and Argentina should be a cracker, despite the fact that both teams have already qualified for Qatar.

Ecuador usually play at Quito, some 2,800 metres above sea level. This match will actually be played in Guayaquil. No matter. The altitude is often a great leveller and that is why Gustavo Alfaro's men can be backed at around the 5/2 mark for the win.

Ecuador have qualified for three of the last five World Cups, but in truth were not fancied by many for a top four finish this time round.

Yet they have made it but it is worth remembering they are third in the table, fully 13 points behind second place Argentina (having played a game more).

La Albiceleste are on a great run, unbeaten in 30 matches and having conceded just two goals in their last 11 matches.

Having finally ended their trophy drought at the last Copa America, Argentina should have a real shout in this year’s World Cup and the current betting seems a little dismissive of their chances. 11/1 quotes (Paddy Power/Betfair) look big and I feel they can underline their credentials as possible world champions by winning in Ecuador.

Lionel Scaloni’s men beat La Tri 3-0 at the 2021 Copa America and they have showed enough in recent matches to suggest they can outrun offers of 23/20 here.

 

The Nap – Argentina to beat Ecuador at 23/20 (bet365/Betfair/Coral/Ladbrokes)

 

England boss Gareth Southgate went with a back three against Switzerland at the weekend, but failed to make it three clean sheets in a row after conceding the first goal at Wembley. England’s collective efforts were pretty disjointed at times, with Southgate seemingly trying to implement a high press. It is clear that there is still some tweaking to be done regarding that particular system, and if the put in another muddled shift on Tuesday, then Ivory Coast could capitalise.

Les Elephants were excellent against France on Friday night, and in truth somewhat unlucky to lose 2-1 in Marseille. They have some real quality in attack with Sebastien Haller, Nicolas Pepe and the irascible Wilfried Zaha and goals could be on the agenda at Wembley.

To be fair England’s recent form in friendlies has been rock solid, with the Three Lions winning 10 and drawing one of their last 11. Most of those matches featured Under 2.5 goals but Southgate is bound to ring the changes again on Tuesday and Ivory Coast like to play an expansive game on the front foot.

Harry Kane has now scored 49 times for England, and his winner against Switzerland moved him clear of Gary Lineker and alongside Sir Bobby Charlton in the all-time England goalscoring charts.

Kane, who has scored 14 penalties for the Three Lions, has Wayne Rooney’s tally of 53 now firmly in his sights and will fancy his chances of notching again in midweek. The Spurs striker is not much bigger than 5/2 to score first but a better shout could be backing Over 3.5 goals at similar odds.

 

Value Tip – Over 3.5 goals at 23/10 (Betfair/Paddy Power)

 

Not many fancied North Macedonia to get past Italy but the plucky outsiders did just that in Palermo last week and are now just a playoff final against Portugal away from qualifying for their first ever World Cup finals.

It could be a nervy affair this with goals at a premium. However, in recent times for Portugal, when a hero is needed, one usually appears in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has scored a world record 115 goals in 184 international games since making his Portugal debut in 2003. Those stats are unlikely to be beaten anytime soon and even at the age of 37 he remains the go to man in this Portuguese side.

CR7 needs no introduction. He is a nonpareil goalscorer and gets the vote here to score first and break North Macedonian hearts.

 

First Goal Flutter – Ronaldo to score first at 23/10 (Unibet)

 

Talking of goalscoring phenomenon’s, a fully-rested Robert Lewandowski should be able to fire Poland to the World Cup this week. His eye-watering record of 50 goals in just 33 appearances for club and country this season is no joke, and the Poles look value at odds approaching 6/4 to get the job done on home soil.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, at the venerable age of 40, will have other ideas of course and the winner in Chorzow will book one of three remaining places at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, with the World Cup draw due to take place on Friday 1 April.

In truth Poland have rarely enjoyed playing Sweden in recent times, and have lost their last six encounters against the Swedes, including a 3-2 defeat at Euro 2020.

However, a partisan 54,000 sell-out crowd will be screaming them on and it’s worth remembering that Sweden had to overcome a tough Czech side in extra-time in the semi-final and so collectively may not be 100%.

The two teams are evenly matched, but the Lewandowski factor cannot be under-estimated. The man is a machine and he can lift Poland over the line on Tuesday.

 

The Euro Banker – Poland to win at 29/20 (Hills)