The UEFA Nations League returns and returns with the intensity known with European football, no long story this is what we think of some fixtures this weekend.
Armenia VS Ireland
The Republic of Ireland will look to kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign in style when they face Armenia on Saturday. The Boys in Green are seen as favorites to win Group 1 opener, but they will have to prove their worth on the field.
The Armenians, on the other hand, were producing fine displays in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, but following three consecutive defeats in Group J they eventually missed out on a spot at the showpiece tournament in Qatar. Since the hosts will be without Roma ace Henrikh Mkhitaryan in Saturday’s clash, we are tempted to put our money on Stephen Kenny’s men.
Prediction Ireland wins
Finland VS Bosnia Herzegovina
Helsinki will host Saturday’s football game between Finland and Bosnia & Herzegovina, who face each other in the UEFA Nations League opener. The Finns missed out on a spot at the 2022 World Cup finals, with the team finishing the process just below second-place Ukraine. Teemu Pukki, whose Norwich City failed to secure the Premier League survival, will be the man to keep an eye on in the home team.
The Balkan Dragons, on the other hand, did well to beat Luxembourg in their last warm-up game. Bosnia have big ambitions for the upcoming Nations League campaign, but beating Finland on the road is easier said than done. A close encounter is on the cards in Helsinki, and we believe that punters from all around the globe can find value in betting on draw. As for the away side, all eyes will be on Inter striker Edin Dzeko.
Prediction Draw
Hungary VS England
Hungary and England face each other at Puskas Arena in the opening match of UEFA Nations League Group 3. The Three Lions faced no difficulties in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and they are seen as hot favourites to beat Hungary in Budapest as well. Bowen, Justin, and Tomori have earned their first England call-ups, while Man Utd Marcus Rashford has been left out of the squad.
As always, a man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Tottenham ace Harry Kane. The Hungarians, on the other hand, aim to make amends for the unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign. Anyhow, Marco Rossi will have a big fish to fry in their Nations League opener. Experienced Basel attacker Adam Szalai is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts, who are eyeing their first win over England since 1962.
Prediction, England wins
Italy VS Germany
All eyes will be on Stadio Renato Dall’Ara when Italy and Germany face each other in the UEFA Nations League derby. The Azzurri head into Saturday’s clash following the Finalissima, meaning that tired legs could prove to be a big problem for Roberto Mancini’s troops.
Hansi Flick’s troops, on the other hand, impressed in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with the team collecting 27 points from possible 30 in the process. The Germans are eyeing yet another successful campaign, but beating Italy in Bologna is easier said than done. A close match is on the cards, and we believe that punters from all around the globe can find value in betting on draw.
Prediction Draw
Montenegro VS Romania
Montenegro play host to Romania at their Stadion Pod Goricom in the opening match of their UEFA Nations League campaign. Montenegro aim to put an end to their three-game winless run, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at the Tricolori.
The Romanians, on the other hand, aim to make amends for the unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign. The Tricolori aim to kick off their Nations League campaign in great manner, but seeing that Jovetic is back for the home side, we are tempted to put our money on Miodrag Radulovic’s troops. A man to watch in the away team will be Steaua forward Florin Tanase, who scored 20 goals in the national championship last term.
Prediction, Montenegro to win
Turkey VS Faroe Islands
Turkey and Faroe Islands go head to head at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium in a David-vs-Goliath clash. The Turks did well to make it to the World Cup playoffs, but star-studded Portugal eventually proved to be a big catch for Stefan Kuntz’s troops. Turkey will not have a better chance than this to return to winning ways, but they will have to prove their worth on the field.
Mert Hakan Yandas has been left out of the squad, while a man to watch in the home team will be Hakan Calhanoglu. Experienced attacker Burak Yilmaz has retired from international football. Faroe Islands, on the other hand, failed to impress in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and given their four-game losing run in the process, we do not believe that the underdogs are capable of spoiling Turkey’s party in Istanbul.
Prediction, Turkey wins
France VS Denmark
France play host to Denmark at Stade de France in a highly-anticipated UEFA Nations League game. Les Tricolores aim to kick off their Nations League campaign in style, but Friday’s clash will be anything but a walk in the park for the home team. Milan striker Olivier Giroud has been left out of the squad, while Karim Benzema could be rested after helping Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final. As always, a man to watch in the home team will be Kylian Mbappe, who has extended his contract with PSG.
The Danes, on the other hand, defeated Serbia 3-0 on Christian Eriksen’s return from illness. The Scandinavian outfit impressed in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, but seeing that France are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we do not believe that Kasper Hjumland’s troops are going to grab something from the match.
Prediction, France wins
Croatia VS Austria
Stadion Gradski vrt in Osijek will host Friday’s Nations League game between Croatia and Austria, who meet for the first time since May 2010. The Croats secured automatic World Cup qualification thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Russia, meaning that they are high on spirits ahead of their Nations League opener. Real Madrid ace Luka Modric, who helped los Blancos beat Liverpool in the Champions League final, could be rested against Austria, while Inter forward Ivan Perisic has been ruled out with injury.
Both Musa and Livaja are likely to miss the game through illness. The Austrians, on the other hand, failed to impress in the World Cup playoffs, with the team losing to Wales in Cardiff, and seeing that tired legs could prove to be a big problem for key player David Alaba, we are tempted to put our money on Zlatko Dalic’s charges.
Prediction, Croatia wins
Belgium VS The Netherlands
There will be fireworks when Belgium and Netherlands, the two neighbouring countries, go head to head at King Baudouin Stadium in the UEFA Nations League opener. The Red Devils faced no difficulties in the World Cup qualifiers, with the team finishing the process in top position in Group E, five points clear of second-place Wales. Former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj has been omitted, while Eden Hazard made the cut despite struggling with injury of late.
All Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois are in the squad as well. The Oranje, on the other hand, qualified for the 2022 World Cup finals thanks to a 2-0 win over Norway, but the Netherlands fans is that head coach Louis van Gaal has been struggling with illness. Since key defender Virgil van Dijk should be rested in Thursday’s clash following his participation in the Champions League final, we are tempted to put our money on Roberto Martinez’s troops. All Owen Wijndal, Jordie Clasie, Maarten de Roon, Arnaut Danjuma, and Luuk de Jong have been left out of the Netherlands Nations League squad.
Prediction, Belgium wins
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