Germany and Belgium Play on the Road on Sunday in the EC Qualifiers

European Championship qualifiers will continue early next week, but the most exciting game of the weekend is played on Sunday. This is when Germany and the Netherlands meet in the competitive Group C, with the winner of this match likely to qualify from the first place. Lopsided games are scheduled in the other groups, with the most interesting match being the one between Cyprus and Belgium. The latter are clearly the better team, but they play on the road, so the hosts have a fighting chance.

Germany is Narrow Favorite over the Netherlands

These two teams have met in the Nations League and the Netherlands have emerged victorious, with four points in back-to-back matches. This is however a different type of event and Germany has the more experienced squad and the results to show for. Under these circumstances, home pitch advantage matters less and the Germans are slight favorites with odds of 3/2 at bet365 Sports.

The Netherlands will play in front of their fans and they also have the advantage of recent results. They were able to score three unanswered goals against Germany at home, before splitting points in a high-scoring 2-2 draw in November. Both teams will be aiming for outright victory, but if the match stays undecided long enough, a draw, currently priced at 23/10 by 888 Sport, is quite likely.

Cyprus Hopes for the First Victory over Belgium

Belgium took the world of football by surprise at the World Cup 2016 by making a deep run and playing stellar football throughout the tournament. They are justly credited with the first chance to win the European Championship qualifiers and also to prevail in the opening match. They don’t have home pitch advantage against Cyprus, but rely on a crushing record with 10 victories and a single draw.

Punters can bet on Belgium to start their qualification campaign with a victory, but shouldn’t expect odds that exceed 3/10. Cyprus has won a single match in the last five attempts, a narrow margin victory over Slovenia. They will try to defend for as long as possible and hope that opportunity presents itself, so they can score on the counterattack. A draw would be celebrated and it is currently priced at 4/1 by Intertops.