3/25 Recap: Since the second edition of Picks From Across The Pond, Spain has been a minefield for me. Whether it be the Primera or Segunda Divisions, there hasn’t been anything but disappointment. Meanwhile, the lower tiers of England continued to prove fruitful escapades. Long live Luton. The Hatters gave me my third straight perfect pick before the aforementioned Spanish debacle. So apologies to Cadiz and Huesca, but your compatriots have taken you off my picks radar for this afternoon. Instead, I will be delving back into the international friendly game with two all-European square-offs.
3/25 Results:
My Picks: Granada 1 Numancia 1 (DRAW [+215])
Cesena 1 Perugia 1 (DRAW [+195])
Actual Results: Granada 1 Numancia 0
Cesena 1 Perugia 1
There is a huge matchup as the main event here today, but for our curtain jerker, we’re off to Albania.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Norway @ Albania (1:00 PM ET/Not Aired In The US (World Listings HERE)
I have dealt with Norway’s U-21 squad earlier this month. That match ended in a draw with Italy and showed how bright Norway’s future has the potential to be. Some of that future could play in the present at the Elbasan Arena this afternoon. Teenagers Martin Odegaard and Kristoffer Ajer could feature for the visitors. Both currently on loan from their parent clubs Real Madrid (Odegaard) and Celtic (Ajer), the duo are key to Norwegian qualification for both Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022.
For Albania, they are in their golden generation in a respect. They are coming off their first major tournament at Euro 2016. They also finished third in their qualifying group for Russia 2018. While this doesn’t seem like a major accomplishment for most nations, the Albanians are trying to pass the “happy to be here” stage. To do that though, they’ll need a second person to step up as a scorer. Of their current roster, only one player has double-digit goals- Armando Sadiku with 11. Nobody else has more than four.
So looking at the lines (per Bovada) for this one, I am in line with the bookmakers in expecting a low scoring affair. I am tempted to go with a nil-nil draw for the first time, but just the thought makes me a bit ill. So I’ll go with the team with the better chance of getting a goal, even if they are in unfamiliar territory.
PREDICTION: Norway 1 Albania 0 (Under 2 total goals [+115])
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Portugal vs Netherlands (2:30 PM ET/ESPN3, ESPN Deportes USA, WatchESPN)
The last time Portugal was on Picks From Across The Pond, it was a magical day. Yes, it was less than a week ago, but Ronaldo’s late-game heroics, even in a friendly, is what makes the otherwise uninspiring Portugal must-see TV. The defending European champions try to end their international break with a bang in Carouge, Switzerland.
Portugal’s opponent is the Netherlands. A team that has fallen on harder times than any other European power in my recent memory. The Oranje have failed to qualify for the past two major tournaments after finals and semi-finals appearances at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups respectively. But the team has gotten younger in the interim but has yet to strike a balance on a consistent basis. Liverpool fans like myself are interested to see Virgil van Dijk take the captaincy.
I was interested to see what Bovada had for props in this game. I didn’t particularly fancy any of them. The half goal line in Portugal’s favor underwhelmed. But why mess with a good thing? Give me the Seleção das Quinas and a Ronaldo second-half score bet.
PREDICTION: Portugal 1 Netherlands 0 (Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Second Half +1400)
If you have any games you’d like me to pick over the week you can contact me on Twitter @TREVORutley. In addition to the available media listed for each game, be sure to try out our Gameview service while watching as well. Also, here is a link for my results throughout and the points system. Cheers!