Goalscorer Bets for the Weekend’s International Fixtures

Scott Thornton has delved into the data to pick out his best goalscorer bets ahead of this weekend’s international fixtures. 

The European World Cup Qualifiers get underway and there are several deadly scorers up against weaker opposition. Can they start their campaigns on the right foot by getting on the scoresheet?

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

International Mismatches Provide Opportunity

Alexander Isak

Sweden have one of the most deadly attacks in international football at present. However, both Dejan Kulusevski and Viktor Gyökeres are unavailable for the national team in the next two fixtures so Alexander Isak will carry the goalscoring burden. Isak comes into these fixtures in a buoyant mood after helping Newcastle win their first major trophy since 1955.

Isak has netted 19 goals in the Premier League this season, only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have scored more. The Newcastle striker’s intelligent movement in and around the box has enabled him to score an average of 0.71 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes played in the past year, meaning he ranks in the 93rd percentile compared to all other forwards across Europe’s top five leagues.

Alexander is also hugely effective when playing for his country. He has five goals and one assist in his last five starts for Sweden. With no Gyökeres, Isak should find himself on the end of every Sweden attack against a Luxembourg side that hasn’t won any of their last eight games. They were also beaten 8-0 the last time they faced Sweden so it’s surprising to see Isak available at odds against to score anytime.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski remains the star player for the Polish national team at the age of 36. He has been one of the top strikers in world football for a number of years and his country will need him in order to get to next year’s World Cup.

Lewandowski has more than his fair share of detractors under Xavi at Barcelona but he has looked back to his brilliant best since Hansi Flick took the reins at the Camp Nou. Robert is La Liga’s top scorer with 22 goals, two ahead of Kylian Mbappe. The Polish striker averages 0.74 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes in the past year.  He also scored Barcelona’s first as they mounted a comeback against Atletico Madrid last weekend, having five of the Balugrana’s 13 attempts.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert is Poland’s all-time top scorer with 84 goals. He went into last year’s European Championships carrying an injury but managed to score in the only game he started. Since then, he has found the net in one of his three starts for Poland. However, their upcoming clash with Lithuania looks to be a total mismatch. Lewandowski scored twice the last time these teams met and will fancy his chances of getting his name on the scoresheet once again. 

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland isn’t enjoying his best season at Manchester City but he has still managed to score 21 goals in the Premier League. He also scored eight goals in nine Champions League appearances before Pep Guardiola’s side were eliminated by Real Madrid. He found the net in City’s last game against Brighton and should carry confidence into the international fixtures. He is undoubtedly the star of this Norway team but he is supported by a very capable Alexander Sørloth in attack. 

Haaland’s last goal for City made him the fastest player to reach 100 goal involvements in the history of the Premier League as he accomplished the feat in 94 games, six fewer than Alan Shearer.  Erling ranks in the top 2% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty xG over the past 12 months and he should get plenty of chances for Norway. 

Erling has scored seven goals in his last five matches for Norway. In his last game for his country, Haaland netted a hat-trick against Kazakhstan. Ståle Solbakken’s side were heavy favourites for that clash, just as they are in their next game against Moldova. Haaland will be looking to get amongst the goals and he is a backable price despite squaring off against minnows. 

Brennan Johnson

Craig Bellamy has taken over the Welsh national team and he want his players to take the game to the opposition. Wales won their Nations League group by remaining undefeated. Harry Wilson, Dan James and Brennan Johnson were all vital in that success but Harry will miss the upcoming fixtures, meaning there is greater onus on Johnson to perform. 

Brennan Johnson isn’t a clinical forward like the other players on our list but he is capable of getting his name on the scoresheet. He is enjoying his best season in a Tottenham shirt, scoring nine and assisting another two in 26 Premier League matches. He possesses exceptional pace and his clever movement has made him a massive goal threat. Brennan equalled Kane’s six-game scoring streak for Spurs back in October, highlighting his prowess in front of goal. 

Johnson has scored two and assisted one in his last three games for Wales. He found the net in their most recent match against Iceland as Bellamy’s side ran out 4-1 victors. The Welsh went off at odds of 1.75 on bet365’s 1×2 market for that match. This time around, they are priced at odds of 1.20 against Kazakhstan, so Johnson should get plenty of chances. 

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