Expert Jury: French fancied to make up for Euro failings in Qatar

We asked our top team of writers and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best football bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Mark Langdon: Leyton Orient have perked up under Richie Wellens and can make it three wins on the spin when Barrow travel to east London. The Barrow boys are now under the leadership of Phil Brown, who had a tough time at Southend, and he joins a side lacking in firepower. Barrow have scored six goals in their last ten - Orient six in their last two.

Racing Post's James Milton: Exeter stand out at around 8-11 at home to a Stevenage side who have lost four of their last five League Two matches. The Grecians' only defeats in 18 league games on their own patch came against promotion rivals Northampton and Tranmere so this looks a tough first game in charge for new Stevenage boss Steve Evans.

Racing Post's Steve Davies: I'm expecting a losing start for Phil Brown's Barrow when they head to Orient, themselves revived under Richie Wellens. The O's are unbeaten in six under first Matt Harrold and now Wellens and are starting to show the form many expected of them from the off. Barrow can't buy goals and it's not a quick-fix for Brown.

Betfred's Charlie Walker: Bristol Rovers away to Carlisle. Even though both sides have hit form of late, Carlisle could possibly be deemed safe and may find it hard to contain Bristol Rovers, who are now pushing for an automatic promotion spot.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

Racing Post's Mark Langdon: Exeter are very strong defensively but injury and illness issues are making life hard for boss Matt Taylor and they may struggle to build on Tuesday's hard-fought 0-0 draw at Port Vale. Stevenage have had a Covid-enforced break, during which time Steve Evans has arrived in the dugout, and they could make it awkward for the odds-on favourites.

Racing Post's James Milton: Ipswich's hopes of making the League One playoffs have been dented by five draws in their last eight games and they are too short to take maximum points against red-hot Plymouth. The Pilgrims have won ten of their last 12, including their last six matches to nil, and Ipswich have to take risks if they are to maintain their top-six challenge.

Racing Post's Steve Davies: Two of League One's draw specialists – Sheffield Wednesday and Cheltenham – meet at Hillsborough where the Owls are definitely being overrated. Just look at the side who have been denied wins by Cheltenham over the past couple of months – Wigan, Sunderland, Wycombe, Ipswich – and you can see this is a side who can definitely mix it with the big boys.

Betfred's Charlie Walker: Roberto Martinez has decided to rotate the Belgium squad and focus on youth, leaving out De Bruyne and Lukaku among others. Ireland have suffered just one defeat in ten matches and are now unbeaten in six. It’s possible a draw could be on the cards.

Which player not selected by Gareth Southgate should be in the England squad?

Racing Post's Mark Langdon: Centre-back seems to be by far the easiest place for England to make strides forward and Fikayo Tomori must be wondering what else he needs to do to oust somebody like Tyrone Mings given his excellent form for Milan. If Southgate is thinking of a back three then Eric Dier, who has improved plenty under Antonio Conte, should also get a recall.

Racing Post's James Milton: Based on current club form, Jadon Sancho was unfortunate to miss out although there is fierce competition for places in England's attacking unit. Harry Kane is the only English player to score more Premier League goals than Brentford's Ivan Toney this season and the Bees forward has to be on Southgate's radar after an impressive debut campaign in the top flight.

Racing Post's Steve Davies: For a country engulfed with right-backs, it's a slight surprise that Southgate is short in that area against the Swiss. This would have been the perfect chance to have a look at Tino Livramento, an absolute star in the making at Southampton where he is a regular starter and a regular man-of-the-match contender. The kid was born to play at the top level.

Betfred's Charlie Walker: I’m not a big fan of either Conor Coady or Tyrone Mings, although admittedly they’ve never let the country down. Nevertheless it might have been worth having a look at Fikayo Tomori again – after all Milan haven’t conceded a goal in the month of March.

Who do you fancy for this year's World Cup?

Racing Post's Mark Langdon: Argentina are unbeaten in 29 games (before Friday night's match) and on a run of two goals conceded in ten. The Copa America holders have finally ended their trophy drought, improved in key areas and no longer as reliant on Lionel Messi, so 11-1 - double the price of favourites Brazil - looks interesting.

Racing Post's James Milton: I'm willing to forgive world champions France their last-16 exit at Euro 2020 as they had rotten luck with injuries, forcing Didier Deschamps into some ill-advised formation changes, but still played some of the best football in the tournament. The standout 14-1 about Belgium is also worth a small bet given their consistency over the past four major tournaments.

Racing Post's Steve Davies: The French must have a term for 'learning lessons' and if Didier Deschamps has drummed it into them following their arrogant exit from the Euros, they can surely deliver. In terms of talent they are off the scale - throw in a bit of humility and they could be world-beaters. If they've learned their lessons, and realised they can't showboat their way to glory, they can lift the cup.

Betfred's Charlie Walker: Dare I say its coming home? But if England can build on their last two major tournaments the natural progression would be to go on and win one. Declan Rice could be a major player in Qatar and Harry Kane’s goals will always give England a chance.

Give us your best bets for Tuesday's European World Cup playoff finals

Racing Post's Mark Langdon: I think both will be nervy affairs. No goal in the first 27 minutes of Portugal, who have had trouble overcoming minnows in the past, versus plucky North Macedonia, while the draw in Poland against Sweden looks of interest at anything above 2-1.

Racing Post's James Milton: Sweden needed extra-time to see off Czech Republic in Thursday's playoff semi-final and the draw in 90 minutes looks a big runner when they face Poland. The Poles have had 1-1 draws with England and Scotland recently and these well-matched teams could be set for a tense playoff final.

Racing Post's Steve Davies: It's just made for Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the venerable age of 40 to lead Sweden to the finals, 16 years after he last played in a World Cup. The Swedes are off to Chorzow to take on Poland, a team they beat 3-2 in last summer's Euros and can beat again. Ibrahimovic is fresh after sitting out Thursday's 1-0 win over a very decent Czech side.

Betfred's Charlie Walker: A fully rested Robert Lewandowski should be able to fire Poland to the World Cup. His record of 50 goals in 33 appearances for club and country this season, makes Poland at around 11-8 to beat Sweden in 90 minutes a backable price.

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