Another round ........

...... of friendly internationals today and I fancy three of them to end all square. At this stage most teams want to field what is their starting eleven, but are terrified of injuries. Under these circumstances, you could make a case for the draw being favourite, yet in many cases it is still the outsider of three possibilities.

There have been over 40% draws in the huge amount of international fixtures during the past month. This is, I believe, in line with the stats for friendly matches over the past couple of seasons. Therefore, there is plenty of value around when the average game is priced around 3.25 or 30.77 %, very few are ever under 3.00 or 33.3%.

In Geneva, Switzerland face Italy, the Swiss are difficult to beat now days and are building a team to compete in Euro 2008. They drew 6 of their 10 qualification games and won the other four. Italy hardly ever extend theirselves in uncompetitive fixtures, a draw for me.

Slovenia play host to Trinidad and Tobago and are missing several players, they start with what is almost a "b" defence. Both teams have had training curtailed this week due to poor weather, T& T were unlucky to lose to Wales and will want to take something from this game. They play Czech Republic at the weekend and will be loath to go to Germany on the back of three defeats.
So an honourable draw will suit all involved.

Saudi Arabia meet Turkey in Offenbach, Germany, where, of course, there will be a huge turkish contingent. In 2006 Turkey have played 5 friendlies, all have been draws, infact, all have been score draws. Coach Fatih Terim, said winning is not important in these games, he is experimenting with a formation which is basically 2-2-2-2-2 (!) and feels everone else will follow suit. We will see, anyway, another draw is certainly possible.

2 points Saudi-Turkey draw 3.50 general
3 points Switzerland-Italy draw 3.10 general
2.5 points Slovenia-Trinidad and Tobago draw 3.25 general
all 3 3 x 1/2 point doubles 1x 1/2 point treble
1/2 point 2-2 draw Saudi-Turkey 15.0 general

If you shop around you may find higher odds.

Good Luck.