Norway V Malta
Thursday 5th September 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification
Pick: Norway & Over 3.5 Goals
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: PaddyPower
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/100 | 13/1 | 50/1 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 3rd September 2019 at 00:30)
Preview: In Group F of Euro 2020 Qualification, the Norwegian capital of Oslo is the venue as Norway prepare to host Malta in a fixture they simply must win if they are to remain on course for a top two finish in the section.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting – 22Bet
Norway Preview – The bigger the victory, the better?
Despite a relatively modest return of five points from their four Euro 2020 Qualifying matches to date, Norway remain firmly in contention for a coveted runners-up spot in Group F that, if achieved, would see them turn out at a European Championship for the first time since the turn of the millennium. Slip up here, though, and a stark reassessment may be in order.
That is because of all the fixtures in their group, this one is arguably the most straightforward of the lot. For starters, the Norwegians have never failed to beat Malta in any of the previous seven meetings they have faced them, winning six of those without even conceding. Furthermore, this is now a team in a decent vein of form: only two losses recorded since the beginning of 2018 (W9 D3 L2), and none at home in the past three years (W8 D4).
So the prospects of them securing a vital win are strong. Which is good, as their position within the group is less so. Coach Lars Lagerback has unquestionably brought about an upturn in results since his appointment in 2017, as highlighted above, but the Swedish born manager has to be disappointed with the fact his side’s only victory thus far was earned against Faroe Islands (0-2).
There is no disrespect in losing narrowly to Spain (1-2), but home draws with both of their rivals for second spot, versus Romania (2-2) and Sweden (3-3), could prove costly. It already has, in fairness, with Norway currently trailing the pair by two points. Therefore, victory here is an absolute must!
Malta Preview – Visitors targeting unrealistic points in Oslo?
Ranked a lowly 181 in the latest FIFA Rankings, Malta were always likely to struggle in this section and that is precisely how it has panned out so far. The campaign did start brightly enough, though, as they secured a rare victory – their first in over two years and their only one in the past 20 internationals (W1 D5 L14) – to beat Faroe Islands 2-1 at home. It has, however, gone predictably downhill since.
Unfortunately, those three points earned from their opening fixture of the group remain the only points on the board after four matches played, with the team slipping to successive defeats thereafter to Spain (0-2), Sweden (3-0) and Romania (0-4). It leaves them second from bottom in Group F, five points adrift of second place but, funnily enough, only two points behind their matchday opponents.
Next up are Norway, a country who have reigned supreme on all of the seven previous occasions these two nations have competed against one another. Three of those were away from home, with all three won by the Norwegians ‘to nil’, though that isn’t anything new as we have become accustomed to the Maltese finding it difficult locating the back of the opposition nets. In failing to win any of their past ten away internationals (D8 L2), six of those resulted in Malta drawing a blank in front of goal.
Norway V Malta Key Facts:
- Norway are unbeaten in 12 home internationals (W8 D4).
- Malta have lost eight of their past ten away matches (D2 L8).
- This will be the eighth international between these two nations, with Norway boasting a 100% record thus far.
Betting Summary
Norway have made a solid enough start to the campaign, with their only defeat coming against the strongest team in the group (Spain), but five points from clashes with Faroe Islands (W0-2), Romania (2-2) and Sweden (3-3) mean they are two points off second place. Put simply, they cannot afford to relinquish any points in this match.
Malta begun brightly when also beating the Faroe Islands (W2-1), but subsequent defeats to Romania (0-4), Spain (0-2) and Sweden (3-0) were about as routine as it gets for a nation which has only secured one win in its past 20 internationals (W1 D5 L14). Away from home, meanwhile, it is no win in ten (D2 L8).
Everybody is in agreement that Norway should be winning this, with their slim odds not likely to make anyone rich anytime soon. Value doesn’t appear easy to come by, unless backing a huge victory for the hosts. Goal difference could be crucial, with Norway trailing Romania in second by two points but also possessing an inferior goal difference of five goals. They need to go big here, ideally.
