What a night of international football for the whole of Ireland last night. Northern Ireland made history as they brushed aside Greece 3-1 and reached the European Finals for the first time. Meanwhile, Ireland picked up a dramatic 1-0 win against World Champions Germany, keeping them one point from top of their group and securing them at least a play off spot.
Tonight we have the penultimate fixtures for teams in Group C, E & G and we can no doubt expect more upsets. If you're looking to add even more enjoyment to this action packed night of football, then look no further than
Mondogoal. You can enter a Euro Fantasy team for tonight for just £3 and win up to £1,000.
Much like the end of the Premier League season, the way you play fantasy football changes somewhat. Teams in the relegation battle provide upsets (see Sunderland last campaign) and teams in contention to win thrive under the pressure. With several teams in a ‘win to qualify' or ‘win or you're out' scenario, it seems logical to break down the fixtures individually in order to account for any potential upsets.
Clean Sheet Potential:
The bookies suggest that Switzerland are the most likely to keep a clean sheet tonight which comes as no surprise as they host San Marino. Elsewhere Spain, Sweden, England and Ukraine also have decent odds defensively and could be worth backing across your teams.
Goal Scoring Potential:
Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and England are all heavily tipped by the bookies to find the back of the net tonight. However, if you're looking for a bargain in attack then look no further than Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine or Slovakia.
Spain vs Luxembourg
A home victory for the hosts will mean they confirm their place at the 2016 European finals. Visitors Luxembourg can finish no higher than fourth, so with very little to play for we can see no other than a comfortable win for the Spaniards. This of course paired with the fact that Spain are unbeaten in their last 31 home qualifiers, winning their last 16 in the Euros since their 1-0 loss to Greece all the way back in 2003.
Luxembourg have scored a single goal in just two of their last five matches, making the Spanish defence look invaluable especially considering
Mondogoal's +2 points for Single Goal Matches.
Jordi Alba (9.5m) is our pick of the bunch due to his attacking potential. The full back isn't shy of an assist and even got his name of the score sheet last month vs Slovakia.
Diego Costa is suspended for this fixture, and Sergio Busquets & David Silva will have to be on their best behavior as their next bookings will result in a ban.
Alvaro Morata was seen training as striker during the week and could be a decent differential should he start. However, he isn't listed on
Mondogoal so we've opted for Chelsea winger
Pedro (5.5m) as a bargain buy who will more than likely exceed his price tag in points from shots on target and fouls won alone.
England vs Estonia
England have already booked their place in the finals and visitors Estonia still have an outside chance of joining them. However, (if you're one of our Estonian readers you should probably look away now) all three of the nations' previous meetings have ended in England victories, with Estonia yet to find the net. If that's not bad enough, England are the only team to have won ALL eight of their qualifiers, Estonia on the other hand, are without a win in their last seven competitive away matches.
Estonia have all to play for, so it'd make sense to be cautious when selecting an England defender � despite the stats and odds.
Ryan Bertrand (6.2m) looks set to get the nod at left back in the absence of Luke Shaw. The Southampton defender will be looking to impress on an international level, offers decent attacking potential and can be acquired very cheaply.
Gary Cahill (5.8m) is another budget option, should Bertrand not start, who could easily crop up with goal from a set piece.
Wayne Rooney has returned to Manchester with an injury, so one would assume that
Theo Walcott (13.2m) will lead the line tonight for the Three Lions. Walcott is listed as a midfielder on
Mondogoal, making him a great OOP (out of position player). Having shown such great form of both club and country in recent matches, he's nailed in to our sides. If you fancy a little upset, then
Ats Purje (3.5m) is your man. The striker is their main source of goals and if Estonia want to end their poor goal scoring record versus England then it'll largely depend on his performance.
Liechtenstein vs Sweden
Sweden experienced defeats in both of their September qualifiers meaning their qualification is now uncertain. Host Liechtenstein are unable to qualify but will no doubt be looking to play giant killers in front of their home crowd. Though, without competitive success in their last ten home games (D4 L6) that could be easier said than done.
With Sweden in desperate need of a win, we expect them to be throwing men forward with the approach of outscoring the opponent rather than containing them for a narrow victory.
Zlatan Ibrahimović (16.4m) has been “useless” in recent weeks � not our words, his managers! � but if there's one man to turn it around for the Swede's it's him.
He's the most expensive player on
Mondogoal tonight and based on recent performances that could turn up a few noses. Gamble on him and waste 16.4m when he does nothing or leave him out your side and he scores a hattrick - your choice.
Switzerland vs San Marino
Switzerland can confirm their place in the finals with a win against San Marino provided third-place Slovenia drop points at home to Lithuania. The visitors on the other hand cannot avoid finishing bottom and having conceded 50 in their last eight, it's clear everybody will be turning to this game for points.
Switzerland have won 4-0 and 7-0 in their most recent home ties against San Marino.
Mondogoal rewards 6pts to goalkeepers for clean sheets and 4pts to defenders. Therefore, we recommend opting for
Yann Sommer (6.7m) and then loading up on three Swiss attackers as an assist is worth the same as a clean sheet.
Josip Drmic (4.1m) is arguably the best value for money striker across all of tonight's fixtures. The striker has bagged three goals in his last three matches for Switzerland and will no doubt extend that tonight. Premier League new-boy
Xherdan Shaqiri (9.0m) has also been on top form internationally, tallying up two goals and two assists in his last four.
Slovenia vs Lithuania
Third-place Slovenia will be looking to close out fifth-place Lithuania, a team who could theoretically deny them of a top-three finish. A loss for the Lithuanian's would mean their Euro 2016 dreams are over.
The hosts have won five of their last six competitive home games without conceding, whilst Lithuania have lost their last three competitive away games without scoring… Do the math.
We expect this fixture to be a narrow 1-0 to the hosts and we're therefore backing the Slovenian backline to remain strong. Experienced center back and captain
Bostjan Cesar (6.6m) will be leading the Slovenian defence by example tonight. Cesar is a known threat from corners and scored in Slovenia's 2-0 win over Switzerland last month.
Montenegro vs Austria
Montenegro currently sit in forth place and will be looking for a win to keep the pressure on Russia and Sweden. To do that, they first have to overcome Group G winners Austria who have already qualified and currently boast a seven-match winning streak in their group. Montenegro ended a five-game win drought with two 2-0 successes in their September fixtures vs Liechtenstein (H) and Moldova (A).
We're routing for an upset on home turf and think that Montenegro could steal it from Austria who have little to play for.
Stevan Jovetic (9.0m) is the most in-form attacker for the hosts, though he's listed as a forward on
Mondogoal despite playing an attacking midfield role for his country.
Dejan Damjanovic (6.5m) is expected to lead the line and despite not firing in for his country in recent matches, he's been on top form for his club Beijing Guoan scoring five in their last four matches.
If you don't fancy a giant killing, then opt for
David Alaba (14.0m). The Bayern Munich defender has been exceptional during the qualifiers, raking in the clean sheet points and contributing heavily to Austria's attack.
Slovakia vs Belarus
Slovakia have secured at least a play-off spot and will qualify automatically if they can hold on to (or extend) their three point lead over third place Ukraine. Meanwhile, opposition Belarus can finish no higher than their current position of forth.
Slovakia remain unbeaten in their four home qualifiers (W3 D1) whilst Belarus have won just one of their last 12 competitive away matches (W1 D3 L8). When the two sides met last October,
Marek Hamsik (11.2m) struck twice for Slovakia in their 3-1 victory. Hamsik has been in good form recently for his country, scoring in their most recent win over Macedonia.
Belarus have little to play for so a clean sheet looks probable for the hosts. If you have faith in Skrtel and co remaining strong at the back, then opt for
Peter Pekarík (8.4m) as your Slovakian defensive coverage. The full back has picked up a goal and an assist so far in the Euro Qualifiers.
Moldova vs Russia
Russia have won both of their September matches vs Sweden and Liechtenstein and tonight play host to Moldova who are without a win in eight Group G games (D2 L6). Moldova can no longer finish higher than fifth, but they can still do a huge amount of damage to Russia's Euro 2016 hopes.
Artem Dzyuba (8.6m) smashed in four during Russia's 7-0 demolition of Liechtenstein last month and also scored the decisive goal in their 1-0 victory over Sweden. With Russia searching for a third consecutive win, we expect Dzyuba to be on top form yet again and deliver the goals.
FYR Macedonia vs Ukraine
Ukraine have secured at least a play-off spot but find themselves just three points away from Slovakia and automatic qualification. Hosts FYR Macedonia can no longer qualify and are currently on a six-game losing streak in Group C, failing to score in their two September qualifiers.
Ukraine kept a clean sheet in their last fixture and haven't conceded more than one goal in their last five games, so choosing one of their defenders seems logical.
Viacheslav Shevchuk (7.8m) is the only defender in Ukraine's side to play all eight qualifier matches and also the only to contribute to the attack (1 assist).
Yevhen Konoplyanka (8.6m) has been on top form in front of goal during the qualifiers and currently boats three in his last four. The striker is reasonably priced but justifies his value with the added bonus that he takes penalties.
