Weekend football on the international front continues this Saturday as we take a closer look at three UEFA Nations League encounters on match day three. Here are key insights and betting options for you to consider.
Let’s start by reviewing the latest outright markets. Spain currently leads the pack, listed as the favourites at 4/1, with Portugal, France, and Germany all closely trailing at 6/1. Italy remain at 7/1, while the Netherlands enter the equation at 10/1. Perennial underachievers Belgium follow at 14/1, leaving the rest of the field available at odds of 16/1 or greater.
Click here for the latest Outright Odds as well as Group Betting
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CROATIA v SCOTLAND– Click here to bet
These sides have been placed in League A Group 1 alongside Portugal and Poland.
Struggling with consistency, Croatia will host Scotland in Zagreb this Saturday, aiming to secure their second win in the group stages. Currently sitting second in the standings with one win and one defeat, it is crucial for the “Checkered Ones” to build on their recent 1-0 success over Poland with another victory here. The Blazers should feel relatively optimistic as they face what is arguably the weakest team in their group this weekend. With just one win from their last five outings, Croatia will be looking to improve their form with a more dominant performance. Moreover, the likely hostile atmosphere in Zagreb is expected to aid Croatia, potentially compounding Scotland’s recent struggles.
Languishing at the bottom of their group with 0 points, the Tartan Army heads to Zagreb this weekend hoping to end their poor run of form. Scotland last tasted victory in a friendly against Gibraltar earlier this year, winning 2-0. However, they have failed to replicate that success in their last 6 matches, drawing just twice and losing 4 times. The Scots crashed out of the Euro Championship in the group stages without a win in Germany, and this trend has continued in the Nations League, losing 3-2 at home to Poland and 2-1 in Portugal. It feels like a last-chance scenario for Steve Clarke’s team, as finishing last in their group would mean immediate relegation. With a host of injuries and a tough fixture list ahead against Croatia and Portugal, things look grim for the Tartan Army.
Head-to-Head
These sides have met a total of 6 times, with Scotland holding the slightest edge, recording 2 wins, 3 draws, and one defeat. Their most recent encounter ended in a 3-1 victory for Croatia during Euro qualification in Glasgow back in 2021.
Betting
Croatia 8/13
Draw 16/5
Scotland 9/2
Prediction
While neither team is in sparkling form at present, Croatia certainly holds the edge over Scotland heading into Saturday’s crucial fixture. Scotland has won just once in their last 14 matches, and their struggles are likely to persist this weekend. Despite their poor run of form, the Tartan Army has managed to find the back of the net at least once in six of their last seven appearances. However, it’s their defensive frailties that often land them in trouble. For that reason, a chance is on both teams to score, with Croatia ultimately prevailing.
Suggested Bet: Result and Both Teams To Score, Croatia and Yes at 26/10
POLAND v PORTUGAL– Click here to bet
These sides have been placed in League A Group 1 alongside Croatia and Scotland.
Currently 3rd in the standings with just 3 points, Poland will host group leaders Portugal on match day three in Warsaw, aiming to improve on their recent form. After a disappointing European Championship campaign, the UEFA Nations League was seen as a chance for the Eagles to bounce back, but it hasn’t gone as planned so far. Poland started with a 3-2 away win against Scotland in the opening round but then faltered in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Croatia. This Saturday’s match will mark their first home fixture in the competition, and with Robert Lewandowski in excellent form for his club, Barcelona, Poland will hope he can carry that momentum this weekend. However, they face a tough task, having failed to beat Portugal in their last five encounters.
As one of the pre-tournament favourites for the Nations League, Portugal head into Saturday’s clash in Warsaw in impressive form, having won both of their opening fixtures — a 2-1 victory at home against Croatia followed by a 2-1 triumph over Scotland, placing them first in League A1. The European Championship quarter-finalists now face two consecutive away games, hoping to secure progression to the next round by overcoming both Poland and Scotland. However, despite remaining unbeaten in their last five meetings with Poland, the Selecao have only managed one win in normal time, with another coming via penalties. Additionally, Portugal have struggled to consistently neutralize Poland’s attack, keeping just one clean sheet in their last six encounters. This highlights that Saturday’s contest at the Kazimierz Górski National Stadium may not be as straightforward as it seems.
Head-to-Head
These sides have met 13 times in total, with Portugal holding the upper hand with 6 wins, 4 draws, and 3 defeats. Their most recent encounter ended in a 1-1 draw in Guimarães during round 6 of the 2018 UEFA Nations League.
Betting
Poland 9/2
Draw 3/1
Portugal 13/20
Prediction
Portugal enter Saturday’s game as firm favourites, but at 13/20 for an away fixture that has been closely contested in recent times, I’m more inclined to back both teams to score. This trend has occurred in 3 of their last 4 meetings, making the current price of 10/11 a value bet for me.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score, Yes at 10/11
SPAIN v DENMARK– Click here to bet
These sides have been placed in League A Group 4 alongside Serbia and Switzerland.
Currently sitting second in the group standings with one win and a draw, Spain will have the opportunity to take control at the top with a victory this coming weekend. The Red Fury will host table-toppers Denmark in Murcia this Saturday in what promises to be an explosive encounter. Unbeaten in their last 12 appearances, with an impressive record of 10 wins and 2 draws, Spain returns to the UEFA Nations League following a dominant 4-1 victory away to Switzerland in their most recent outing. It was a surprisingly slow start for the Euro 2024 winners in this competition, as they failed to register a goal away to Serbia in their opening clash, resulting in a disappointing 0-0 draw after match day one. With two consecutive home games ahead, Spain should demonstrate their pedigree, especially given their recent dominance over the Danes.
Denmark currently occupies the top spot in their respective group with 6 points but will be wary of what they face this Saturday when they take on European Championship winners Spain in their own backyard. The Red and Whites enter match day three unbeaten in the Nations League, having obtained consecutive 2-0 victories in their opening two exchanges against both Switzerland and Serbia. As a result, they sit directly above Spain with a 2-point buffer, something they will be eager to maintain when exiting Estadio Enrique Roca Saturday evening. Having taken full advantage of their home games in the tournament, this weekend will serve as their first of two consecutive matches where they will feature on the road— a record they will be desperate to improve, having lost twice and drawn once in their last three appearances away from home. With an inferior record away to Spain, Denmark’s winning start to their campaign is likely to come to an abrupt end, particularly knowing they have lost their last four consecutive games away to the Spaniards, scoring just once in the process.
Head-to-Head
These sides have met 16 times in total, with Spain dominating those statistics with 12 wins, 2 draws, and 2 defeats. The last encounter between them dates back to 2008 when Spain secured a 3-0 victory in an international friendly at Parken Stadium in Denmark.
Betting
Spain 4/10
Draw 4/1
Denmark 15/2
Prediction
Denmark’s winning run is likely to come to a grinding halt this weekend, anything less than a routine win for the Spaniards would be considered a shock result. The Red Fury will be eager to overtake the Danes at the top of the standings, and with the visitors yet to face a real test on their travels, Spain’s class should ensure a relatively comfortable victory on home soil.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Spain -1.5 at 21/20
Click here for betting on all of this week’s matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
