Supporters of England on the spreads will probably be much more interested in next week’s qualifier against Ukraine than they will with the rather meaningless friendly against Slovakia on Saturday. There is not too much to go on for spread bettors in this contest, but the sides did meet twice in qualification for Euro 2004. Interestingly, especially for those who like to play the in-running spread betting markets, Slovakia took the lead in both of those games and England had to come from behind to win 2-1 on each occasion.

One of the most exciting games of the weekend looks to be Scotland’s trip to Holland on Saturday evening. The Dutch are 1.5-1.7 spread supremacy favourites and sellers will be hoping for a repeat of Scotland’s infamous win against France in Paris in September 2007. However, those going against the Dutch on the spreads have some fairly ominous statistics against them. Since tasting defeat against Portugal in October 2000, Holland have played 21 World Cup or European Championship qualifiers on home turf, winning 18 of them and drawing the other three. Those hoping to play the Scotland goal minutes markets with Sporting Index will have to be worried that 17 of Holland’s 18 wins have come without conceding, whilst they have won by at least two goals in 16 of them. Spread sellers of the time of Scotland’s first goal also won’t be encouraged that George Burley’s side have failed to net in four of their last five games, as well as only managing two goals against Holland in the last eight meetings.

Irish spread bettors have had a fantastic week with their rugby heroes pulling off the country’s first Grand Slam for over 60 years last weekend. It’s now up to the footballers to continue the positive sporting vibes coming out of the country and Giovanni Trapattoni will be pleased with his side’s joint-top spot in Group Eight. However, those who like a spread bet are not normally fooled by basic statistics and they will point out that Ireland’s 10 points have come against the likes of Montenegro, Georgia and Cyprus. The real business starts with Bulgaria on Saturday at Croke Park, with Sporting Index installing the Irish as 0.5-0.7 spread supremacy favourites. Bulgaria will be missing star striker Dimitar Berbatov which will put the Irish spread supporters in bullish mood, as will their side’s record at home in competitive matches. They have only suffered two defeats in the past 34 games at home since 1996, winning 20 (59%).

Bulgaria are no mugs though and although they’ve had a slow start to the World Cup campaign with three draws so far, sellers of Irish supremacy on the spreads will be pleased that they’ve only lost on their travels four times in competitive games since the turn of the Millennium. Spread goal buyers eyes’ will light up when they see that two games ago Bulgaria were demolished 6-1 by Serbia in a friendly, but will be less content that 15 of the side’s last 22 competitive away games have been under the three goal marker.

Sporting Index spread betting all international football games at Sportingindex.com