The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League continues on Friday the 2nd of October as attention turns to Group 1. Belgium welcome Turkiye aiming to return to winning ways, while leaders France host an Italy side fresh from a dominant away victory. We assess both fixtures from a betting angle.
Belgium vs Turkiye – click here to bet
Belgium opened their campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory away to Italy before suffering a 1-0 home defeat against France on Monday.
The Belgians were level at half time against France and remained in contention for a point until the French outfit scored the only goal in the 88th minute. That late setback leaves them 2nd in Group 1 with three points, three behind the French.
Turkiye began with a narrow 1-0 home defeat to France before enduring a much heavier 4-1 loss against Italy on Monday.
Turkiye fell behind in the 9th minute before conceding twice more in the 22nd and 27th minutes to trail 3-0 at half time. Baris Yilmaz reduced the deficit in the 47th minute but Italy restored their three-goal cushion just three minutes later to seal a 4-1 victory.
Head-to-Head
Turkiye have won two of the last six meetings between the nations, while Belgium have won one and three have ended in draws.
Their most recent encounter finished 1-1 in Belgium during the Euro 2012 qualifying, following a 3-2 home victory for Turkiye in the reverse fixture. Belgium’s only win across those six meetings came in October 2009, when they recorded a 2-0 home victory in World Cup qualifying.
Match Odds (1X2)
Belgium 1.53
Draw 5.00
Turkiye 5.75
Verdict
Belgium’s late defeat against France was a setback but their opening victory in Italy showed what they are capable of. Turkiye have struggled to turn home advantage into points and their defensive display against Italy raises concerns ahead of this trip. I am backing Belgium to respond with a home victory and leave the visitors still searching for their first points after a high scoring affair.
BET: Result and Totals – Belgium and Over 2.5 Goals at 1.91
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France vs Italy – click here to bet
France started their campaign with a 1-0 victory away to Turkiye before repeating that scoreline in Belgium on Monday.
The match in Belgium remained goalless at half-time and appeared to be heading towards a draw before Michael Olise struck in the 88th minute to secure all three points. Those consecutive away victories leave France top of Group 1 with six points and no goals conceded.
Italy suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in their opener but responded strongly with a 4-1 victory away to Turkiye on Monday.
Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Davide Frattesi doubled the lead in the 22nd. Michael Kayode added a third five minutes later to give Italy a commanding half-time advantage. Turkiye managed to reduce the deficit shortly after the restart, but Francesco Esposito scored in the 50th minute to end any immediate hopes of a Turkish comeback.
Head-to-Head
France have won four of the last six meetings between the nations, while Italy have won two.
The sides exchanged 3-1 away victories in the 2024/25 Nations League. Italy won in France in September 2024 before the French claimed victory by the same scoreline in Italy that November. France also won their friendly meetings in 2018 and 2016, both by a 3-1 margin.
Match Odds (1X2)
France: 1.47
Draw: 5.25
Italy: 6.75
Verdict
Italy’s convincing response against Turkiye makes this an interesting test for the group leaders. France have scored just once in each of their opening matches, but two away victories and successive clean sheets provide a strong platform heading into their first home fixture. I am backing the hosts to maintain their winning start, with their defensive form giving them the edge against an Italian side that has conceded in both matches.
BET: Match Result and Both Teams to Score – France and No at 2.90
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