International Tipsheet: Odds-against France to continue forward momentum

Didier Deschamps is overseeing the start of something beautiful

Lewis Jones has cast his trained eye over Sunday's international matches and has come out the other side with three tasty looking bets...

Portugal v Albania, Sunday 19:45, Sky Sports 3, Match Odds: Portugal 1.292/7, Albania 15.5n/a, The Draw 6.611/2

As the odds suggest, Albania are a very average outfit at this level and will travel to the south of Europe for this Group I clash to defend deep and frustrate.

Most of their internationals are more like an attack v defence training session and this will be no different.

However, they are certainly pretty adept at stifling teams. In their last 19 internationals, they have conceded just 16 goals and that came against opponents such as Switzerland and attack-minded Iceland, who only just missed out on World Cup qualification.

Portugal, who are missing Cristiano Ronaldo with a knee complaint, are notoriously light in attacking areas and the +1.5 goal line with Albania at 1.9720/21 looks worth siding with. In other words, our money is riding on anything but a 2+ goal victory for the hosts.

Recommended Bet
Back Albania on the Asian Handicap (+1.5) @ 1.9720/21

Serbia v France, Sunday 19:45, Match Odds: Serbia 3.55/2, France 2.0811/10, The Draw 3.39/4.

The 2014 World Cup was sublime for many different reasons as it opened my eyes up to international football for the first time since the 2010 vuvuzela-extravaganza in South Africa.

After every major tournament I go through my own autopsy of the action and try to come to some logical conclusions regarding teams that look on the upgrade and ones that should be taken on as the years roll onto the next international tournament.

This year's tournament for me was all about the potential the flamboyant French showed under Didier Deschamps. There were no tantrums or trauma just an impressive squad of players that look capable of doing great things at the top level of international football. The way they blew away defensively sound Switzerland in the group stages was one of my highlights of the entire tournament.

That 5-2 victory was as good as a performance as any side delivered in Brazil and from that moment my interest in the French as a punting commodity for the next few years was guaranteed.

My wallet was left a little bulgier after their 1-0 win over Spain on Thursday and the ease at which they created chances against the former World Champions was eye catching.

This clash against Serbia is the first of 10 'centralised friendlies' that the 2016 hosts must play against the nations in qualifying Group I and at a shade of odds-against, they simply must be backed.

Best Bet
France to beat Serbia @ 2.0811/10

Chile v Mexico, Sunday 03:00, Match Odds: Chile 2.26/5, Mexico 3.55/2, The Draw 3.45n/a.

This one may be worth staying up for on Saturday evening/Sunday morning. It has all the ingredients for a free-flowing goal-fest in California.

Mexico and Chile both lit up the World Cup in their own unique way before being eliminated in the last 16 and will be looking to continue that momentum when they meet in Santa Clara.

Despite all the praise Chile received in Brazil, if matching the two teams up, I was more impressed with the way Mexico went about the business in Brazil.

For all Chile's brilliance and enthusiasm going forward, defensively they were suspect while Mexico had more steel and organisation in their make-up. Jorge Sampoli's men look very short here at near odds-on as the markets have got a little carried away with their World Cup showing. Get on the lay train.

Recommended Bet
Lay Chile @ 2.2