You BetNew-look Euro qualifiers head for thrilling climax
Upsets and the successes of lowly teams in expanded competition point to exciting finals next year
Increasing the size of competitions rarely earns universal approval - just listen to those who still complain that the Uefa Champions League is a misnomer - but the Euro 2016 finals will surely be more interesting to watch and open to upsets thanks to the expansion of the tournament from 16 to 24 teams.
Northern Ireland and Iceland are among the countries who have already qualified and will be playing at the Euro finals for the first time and they will be joined over the next few days by several other surprise names, while some of the more established nations will not make the line-up.
In that sense the Euro finals may be like the new-look English Premier League, where the big names are under increasing threat from teams further down the ladder who have the odd high-class player and a daring attitude.
Group A has had one of the most surprising outcomes, with Iceland and the Czech Republic having secured the two automatic qualification places
The qualifiers are a different story, with so many mismatches, but a handful of bets are worth considering.
Wales are almost certain to be one of the newcomers at the finals and, with the world-class Gareth Bale leading the team, they will be a welcome addition. No country will relish the prospect of facing Bale and his teammates.
A point will be enough for Wales and, with their last match being at home to Andorra on Tuesday, it is unthinkable that they will slip up now. For punters the more pressing issue is whether they can finish in style with a win tonight away to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The hosts are still chasing third spot, which would put them in the play-offs, and Wales need little from the match. But Wales are unbeaten in this qualifying competition and they look capable of taking something. Rather than backing Wales on the handicap, the draw looks a decent bet.