S.P.Read Esq: Wales v Northern Ireland

Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to the International Frinedly on Thursday between WALES v NORTHERN IRELAND and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.

International friendlies are as treacherous as treacle for punters but it’s quiet week and I’m getting starved of action !! Forget making Cheltenham a five-day Festival – you could make it two weeks for all the action there has been this week.

Northern Ireland have only beaten Wales once in five previous matches and that came back in 1954 !!! But without Gareth Bale Northern Ireland must surely fancy their chances of coming away with something from the Cardiff Arms Stadium on Thursday and continuing their excellent recent form which sees them unbeaten in their last eight matches.

It’s not just Bale who is absent. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey is also out and surely these high profile withdrawals will affect the Welsh equilibrium? Put it this way, if it were a horse race you’d be looking at hefty Rule 4 deductions with those non runners !

Bale has been left out of the squad in a joint decision between the Football Association of Wales and his club Real Madrid.

Wales will also be without James Collins, Andy King and David Edwards through injury and illness.

Ben Davies and Neil Taylor are also doubtful.

In contrast, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has far less injury worries to concern him.

The Northern Ireland side have a good shape at present and I fancy them winning this as they prepare for their first ever Euros after they topped Group F in qualifying.

Wales v Northern Ireland
International Friendly
19:45 BBC Two NI / BBC Two Wales

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
May 2011 INTERNATIONAL N Ireland 0-2 Wales
Feb 2007 INTERNATIONAL N Ireland 0-0 Wales
Oct 2005 WORLD CUP N Ireland 2-3 Wales
Sep 2004 WORLD CUP Wales 2-2 N Ireland
Mar 1954 WORLD CUP Wales 1-2 N Ireland

A nice result on Sunday with my Star Spreads buy of corners at the Etihad.

For this game, I am buying the Northern Ireland win index at 11. I’m happy to take a small loss for a draw but really fancy the visitors to come away with a win.

CLICK FOR WALES v NORTHERN IRELAND MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale 1-100 points)

BUY NORTHERN IRELAND WIN INDEX for 35 points at 11

FROM FEBRUARY
2 Feb -275.00 (SELL 1st WEST HAM MATCH GOAL 25 points at 47)
3 Feb +116.25 (SELL CHELSEA SUPREMACY 75 points at 0.55)
6 Feb -100.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 25 points at 44)
7 Feb -735.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 35 points at 51)
8 Feb -1260.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 35 points at 41)
9 Feb +245.00 (SELL 1st WEST HAM MATCH GOAL 35 points at 52)
9 Feb -455.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 77)
10 Feb -490.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 76)
13 Feb -1295.00 (SELL 1st MATCH GOAL 35 points at 40)
14 Feb +315.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 35 points at 36)
15 Feb -350.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 80)
16 Feb +175.00 (SELL 1st PSG MATCH GOAL 25 points at 46)
17 Feb -1050.00 (SELL 1st ROMA MATCH GOAL 30 points at 55)
18 Feb +0.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 50 points at 77)
19 Feb -150.00 (SELL 1st EVERTON MATCH GOAL 25 points at 49)
19 Feb -750.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 50 points at 75)
20 Feb +275.00 (SELL 1st CHELSEA MATCH GOAL 25 points at 46)
20 Feb +1400.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 50 points at 76)
21 Feb +0.00 (SELL 1st MAN U MATCH GOAL 45 points at 37)
21 Feb +840.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 70 points at 73)
23 Feb -1270.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 70 points at 72)
25 Feb +210.00 (SELL 1st MAN U MATCH GOAL 70 points at 32)
27 Feb -1500.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 50 points at 42)
28 Feb +1200.00 (BUY 3rd MATCH GOAL 80 points at 75)
28 Feb -68.00 (BUY TOTAL MATCH GOALS 80 points at 2.85)
29 Feb +4000.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 80 points at 78)
3 Mar NO BET
4 Mar -108.00 (BUY CORNERS 40 points at 10.7)
5 Mar +570.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 30 points at 56)
6 Mar -1200 (SELL 1st MAN U MATCH GOAL 30 points at 50)
8 Mar +90.00 (SELL 1st ARSENAL MATCH GOAL 30 points at 44)
9 Mar -240.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 30 points at 68)
10 Mar +150.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 30 points at 55)
12 Mar -470.00 (BUY CORNERS 100 points at 11.7)
13 Mar -320.00 (SELL 1st WEST HAM MATCH GOAL 40 points at 60)
15 Mar +840.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
16 Mar -65.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
17 Mar +148.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
18 Mar -250.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
19 Mar -420.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 78)
20 Mar +446.25 (BUY CORNERS 85 points at 10.75)