The World Cup qualifiers take centre stage later today with several teams still battling to book their place at Qatar 2022.
If low interest rates in your savings accounts leave you feeling cold, tonight’s games offer the chance to make a quick profit.
Backing Russia, Germany and Croatia to win their respective games will net you £12.63 from a £10.00 outlay – not great, but not to be sniffed at.
Elsewhere, there’s been plenty going on in the Premier League despite the international break, particularly at managerial level.
Villa move is risky for Gerrard
Aston Villa are reportedly confident of naming Steven Gerrard as their new manager, with confirmation of the appointment possible in the next few days.
While Gerrard has undoubtedly done a solid job at Rangers, it should be remembered that he hasn’t had much in the way of competition.
Managing Villa will be a much bigger challenge, and there are no guarantees that the 41-year-old will succeed as a Premier League boss.
Gerrard is widely viewed as the natural successor to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. On that basis, joining Villa is a risky move for the former England captain.
Liverpool could regret Edwards exit
The news that sporting director Michael Edwards is leaving Liverpool after 10 years at the club could be a massive blow to their future hopes of success.
The 42-year-old’s track record of identifying talent is second to none, and the Reds could live to regret his decision to quit.
His ability to strike favourable deals for the Reds has earned him hero status with the club’s fans, and he will be an extremely tough act to follow.
Assistant sporting director Julian Ward is the man who will replace Edwards at the end of the season – he has a lot to live up to.
Thursday football on TV
- Armenia vs North Macedonia – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Azerbaijan vs Luxembourg – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Georgia vs Sweden – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Russia v Cyprus – World Cup Qualifier- Sky Sports
- Serbia vs Qatar – International Friendly – Sky Sports
- Czech Republic vs Kuwait – International Friendly – Sky Sports
- Ukraine vs Bulgaria – International Friendly – Sky Sports
- England U21 vs Czech Republic U21 – European U21 Championship Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Germany vs Liechtenstein – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Greece vs Spain – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Malta vs Croatia – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Republic of Ireland vs Portugal – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Romania vs Iceland – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Slovakia vs Slovenia – World Cup Qualifier – Sky Sports
- Ecuador vs Venezuela – World Cup Qualifier – Premier Sports
- Paraguay vs Chile – World Cup Qualifier – FreeSports
One to watch
Spain and Portugal are both in danger of missing out on automatic qualification for the World Cup. They can ill-afford any slip-ups in their respective visits to Greece and Republic of Ireland.
Prediction
There are plenty of short prices this evening, so it could pay to focus on away victories. Backing Sweden, Spain and Portugal to win pays odds of around 7/4.
Read more: 17 games to watch during the international break.