UEFA Nations League Preview

Club football will be put on the back burner for 10 days as we resume the second edition of the UEFA Nations League competition. Upsets have continued to occur all across the top leagues which has been disastrous for our betting slips. However, for the upcoming weekend we have selections that we are confident will help make us some extra cash. 

Saturday 10 October

Luxembourg 15/10

Draw 2/1

Cyprus 39/20

(15:00)

Luxembourg beat Azerbaijan 2-1 and then suffered a 1-0 defeat to Montenegro in their opening matches last month, while Cyprus succumbed to 2-0 and 1-0 losses to the same opposition. These sides haven’t faced each other in 23 years so the previous head-to-head stats aren’t very useful. With Cyprus finding goals hard to come by, I’ll be having a punt on Both Teams to Score (No) at 13/20 odds. 

Montenegro 4/10

Draw 32/10

Azerbaijan 13/2

(15:00)

Montenegro will be aiming to continue their impressive start of two wins on the bounce and are favoured strongly by the bookmakers at 4/10. Azerbaijan tend to struggle away from home and I simply give them no chance to come away with even a point against the form side. Back the home win at 4/10.

Faroe Islands 31/20

Draw 2/1

Latvia 37/20

(18:00)

Faroe Islands opened their Nations League campaign with two consecutive victories against Malta (3-1) and Andorra (1-0). Latvia, on the other hand, played out to two stalemates against the same opposition. Expect a low-scoring affair, utilise the Totals market and select Under 2.5 Goals at 9/20.

Liechtenstein 17/20

Draw 47/20

Gibraltar 34/10

(18:00)

Liechtenstein and Gibraltar both got off to wins as they beat minnows San Marino convincingly. In last season’s competition, these teams faced off and won a game apiece on home soil. If you’re going to have a bet on this clash, the home win is the way to go at 17/20 odds. 

Ukraine 47/10

Draw 31/10

Germany 11/20

(20:45)

Ukraine earned an impressive 2-1 win over Switzerland before Andriy Shevchenko’s men were played off the park in a 4-0 defeat to Spain in Madrid. Germany were forced to rest key first-choice players who needed time off to rest following gruelling seasons during back-to-back 1-1 draws against Spain and Switzerland. Coach Joachim Low is set to have a full squad to chose from and I’m putting my money on a Mannschaft win at 11/20.

Spain 4/10

Draw 36/10

Switzerland 13/2

(20:45)

Spain have a gem on their hands in Barcelona forward Ansu Fati. The 17-year-old became the youngest player to score for La Roja during their 4-0 win over Ukraine. Switzerland were gutted after being beaten 2-1 in Ukraine but showed a lot of character as they gave Germany a run for their money, sharing the spoils 1-1. The Swiss famously beat Spain in the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and would love to replicate that performance. Spain don’t look as strong as previous teams they’ve produced, so, take Switzerland on the Double Chance at 7/4. 

Andorra 37/20

Draw 39/20

Malta 33/20

(20:45)

Andorra doesn’t give me any confidence after winning just once in 13 games on home soil. Malta broke their 10-game losing streak by holding on for a 1-1 draw with Latvia. Don’t expect this match to entertain. A low-scoring affair is predicted, take Under 2.5 Goals at 4/10.

Sunday 11 October

Bosnia and Herzegovina 17/4

Draw 26/10

Netherlands 13/20

(18:00)

Bosnia opened their Nations League campaign by sharing the spoils with Italy despite captain Edin Dzeko scoring the first goal. The Dragons then rested Dzeko only to bring him off the bench for a 30-minute cameo, eventually losing 2-1 at home to Poland just three days later. Netherlands are finding their feet under new manager Frank De Boer who lost his first match to Poland but then bounced back with a victory over the Italians. Go into the Matchbet & Both Teams to Score market and select Netherlands & Yes at 49/20. 

Poland 26/10

Draw 22/10

Italy 21/20

(20:45)

Poland will welcome the return of UEFA Player of the Season Robert Lewandowski who missed the defeat to Netherlands and victory at Bosnia. Italy manager Roberto Mancini has a good thing going and you could sense that there will be a massive resurgence under the former Manchester City manager. Take the Azzurri to edge this encounter just like they did two years ago in the same competition. 

Iceland 26/10

Draw 47/20

Denmark 1/1

(20:45)

Iceland put in a commendable performance against England but cruelly suffered a 1-0 defeat before being thrashed 5-1 by the number one ranked team in the world Belgium. Denmark are winless in the group, losing 2-0 to Belgium and holding on for a goalless draw with England, but have much more quality within their ranks. Take Denmark to win their fourth straight match against this opponent at even money. 

Croatia 19/20

Draw 47/20

Sweden 29/10

(18:00)

Both Croatia and Sweden begun this competition last month by playing Portugal and France. Both teams suffered convincing defeats against the heavyweight opponents and will now take aim at each other to get their first points on the board. Croatia are ranked eighth in the world, while Sweden are the 18th best team. These teams are tipped to cancel each other out at 47/20.

Norway 1/1

Draw 47/20

Romania 26/10

(18:00)

Norway got back to winning ways with a 5-1 win in Northern Ireland after suffering a 2-1 loss at home to Austria. Despite being ranked 44th in the world, the Norwegians have arguably the most valuable player in football at the moment – goalscoring machine Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland. Romania took a point from their 1-1 draw with the Irish and then went on to beat Austria 3-2. Goals are expected in this encounter and my money is on Over 2.5 Goals at even money.

Northern Ireland 3/1

Draw 22/10

Austria 19/20

(20:45)

Northern Ireland come into the clash as outsiders following their three-game winless streak on home soil. Austria clearly have more quality in their ranks and we’re expecting another goal-filled encounter after being involved in eight goals in two matches. Over 3.5 Goals is priced at 18/10 odds and is definitely well worth a punt.

Scotland 1/1

Draw 47/20

Slovakia 11/4

(20:45)

Scotland are unbeaten in five matches under manager Steve Clarke, winning four times. Slovakia come off a 1-1 stalemate in Israel after suffering a 3-1 loss to Czech Republic. The Scottish players have been in fine form in the English Premier League and I’m backing the Tartan army at even money to claim maximum points. 

Israel 2/1

Draw 43/20

Czech Republic 27/20

(20:45)

Israel come into this clash off the back of two 1-1 draws against Scotland and Slovakia. Czech Republic will find it difficult to break down the hosts despite having two free-scoring games against Slovakia and Scotland last month. These sides have only met once in a 2012 friendly. Back Israel on the Double Chance on home soil at 11/20.

Serbia 8/10

Draw 49/20

Hungary 34/10

(20:45)

Serbia have quite a few quality players in their squad but are winless in the group after losing 3-1 in Russia and a goalless draw against Turkey. Hungary edged Turkey 1-0 in their opening match but then went on to lose 3-2 to Russia. Take the Serbians to get back to winning ways at 8/10 odds.

Russia 11/10

Draw 21/10

Turkey 26/10

(20:45)

Russia top group B3 after entertaining wins over Serbia (3-1) and Hungary (3-2). Turkey, on the other hand, are yet to score and sit on a single point after two matches. The Russians are one of the bets of the weekend, don’t miss out on the 11/10 odds.

Ireland 33/20

Draw 2/1

Wales 18/10

(15:00)

Ireland come off a shock 1-0 defeat to Finland which ended their eight-match unbeaten streak on home soil. Wales, on the other hand, opened their Nations League campaign with maximum points against both Finland and Bulgaria. I can’t see the Welsh Dragons losing this clash. At 9/20, the Double Chance is the most solid bet of the weekend.

Finland 8/10

Draw 9/4

Bulgaria 37/10

(18:00)

Finland were edged 1-0 against Wales in the opening game but bounce back well with a 1-0 victory over Republic of Ireland. Bulgaria lost 1-0 to Wales after drawing 1-1 in their opening match. A low-scoring affair is expected, select Under 2.5 Goals at 5/10.

Armenia 7/4

Draw 2/1

Georgia 33/20

(18:00)

Armenia lost 2-1 in North Macedonia but bounced back with a 2-0 win over minnows Estonia. Georgia are unbeaten following their 1-0 win in Estonia and a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia. The hosts captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan is fully fit and I’m backing him to guide his troops to a victory at 7/4 odds. 

Estonia 34/10

Draw 9/4

North Macedonia 17/20

(18:00)

Estonia have lost back-to-back games without scoring in their last seven outings, while North Macedonia are undefeated having beaten Armenia 2-1 and sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Georgia. The away win is worth a punt.

Kosovo 23/10

Draw 2/1

Slovenia 5/4

(20:45)

Kosovo are winless from their two opening matches in the group – a 1-1 draw at Moldova and 2-1 loss to Greece. Slovenia have kept back-to-back clean sheets against Greece and Moldova thanks to arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, Jan Oblak, between the sticks. Select Away to Win to Nil at 22/10 odds – my value bet for the weekend.

Greece 1/4

Draw 39/10

Moldova 14/1

(20:45)

Greece got the better of minnows Kosovo with a 2-1 win after sharing the spoils with Slovenia on the opening day. Moldova, on the other hand, are winless after drawing 1-1 in Moldova and losing 1-0 in Slovenia. Greece inflicted a 3-0 defeat over Moldova when they last visited. Take the hosts on the (-1) Handicap at 8/10 if you’re searching for more value.

Kazakhstan 43/20

Draw 2/1

Albania 27/20

(15:00)

Kazakhstan will be looking to get back to winning ways after suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Belarus. Albania are in the same situation as the hosts, coming off a defeat to Lithuania. Take the Albanian Eagles to win their third straight match against the minnows at 27/20. 

Lithuania 47/20

Draw 2/1

Belarus 5/4

(18:00)

Lithuania got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win in Albania following their 2-0 defeat to Kazakhstan in their opening match. Belarus will come into the clash aiming to make it back-to-back wins after edging Kazakhstan 2-1 last time out. A low-scoring affair is expected and my money is on Under 2.5 Goals at 9/20.

TREBLE @ 15/2

Russia Win 11/10

Italy Win 21/20

Denmark Win 1/1

Written by Bryan Naicker