The best punts for the big week ahead

International football dominates the schedule this week, with plenty of big qualifiers to look forward to. We look at how the betting is shaping up for one of those, as well as taking an early glance at an intriguing friendly and a big Bundesliga match...

Tuesday
Switzerland v England (live on Sky Sports 2, kick-off 7.45pm)
English optimism was restored after the 4-0 thumping of Bulgaria and as the second match of their last qualifying campaign was a resounding victory away to their perceived biggest rivals, there will be plenty betting on a repeat with the Three Lions [1.9] to beat Switzerland. They've lost just one home qualifier in nine years though, against Luxembourg bizarrely.

Tuesday
Argentina v Spain (live on ITV4, kick-off 9pm)
There are loads of qualifiers we could have picked out, - and will look at later this week - but this is one of the most interesting midweek ties, as the world champions travel to Argentina, where caretaker coach Sergio Batista is eager to prove he deserves to keep the job. The likes of Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso have been recalled, and the hosts are [2.5] to triumph.

Friday
Hoffenheim v Schalke (live on ESPN, kick-off 7.30pm)
The Bundesliga's Friday night offering rarely disappoints and this is another clash with the potential to be a thriller, as pacesetting Hoffenheim welcome Schalke, last season's surprise runners-up who have brought in Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar yet are currently pointless. Hoffenheim are [2.6] favourites to crank the pressure up on visiting boss Felix Magath.

Got any bets lined up for these matches? Let us know in the box below...

Published: 6 Sep 2010