This Sunday, we focus on two exciting fixtures in the UEFA Nations League and provide insights and betting options for you to consider.
Before we proceed, let’s take a look at the current outright markets. Spain remain the favourites at 7/2, with Germany the next best at 4/1. Hot on their heels are both France and Portugal, each priced at 5/1, while Italy remain dark horses at 7/1. The rest of the field is priced at 14/1 or greater.
Click here for the latest Outright Odds as well as Group Betting
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ENGLAND v IRELAND – Click here to bet
These sides have been placed in League B Group 2 alongside Greece and Finland.
On Sunday, England will face Ireland at Wembley Stadium brimming with confidence, following a dominant 3-0 victory over Greece in Athens. This crucial win not only earned them three points but also elevated the Three Lions to the top of their group. With 12 points from five games, England is now just one win away from securing promotion to League A. At home, England has averaged 1.5 goals per game in this tournament, having conceded just one goal in two matches. This match will also mark the final game under interim coach Lee Carsley, who has successfully guided England through this stage. With Thomas Tuchel set to take over in January, the team will certainly want to give Carsley the fitting send-off he deserves by reclaiming their home form. Last month’s 2-1 loss to Greece at Wembley still lingers, and the squad will be keen to set the record straight before the international break ends.
Ireland head into Sunday’s clash on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win over Finland. Currently sitting in 3rd place with 6 points, their trip to Wembley holds little significance in terms of standings, as their position cannot change regardless of the result. However, they still have a role to play, with the potential to spoil England’s party should they secure all three points. A victory for Ireland would also give Greece the opportunity to reclaim top spot in the group. Despite this, the Green Army’s away form raises concerns about their ability to match England’s depth. Ireland have lost three of their last four away games overall, failing to score in three of those matches. A telling statistic, especially considering they’ve yet to find the net against the two teams directly above them in Group B2, despite averaging a goal per game on the road in this tournament.
Head-to-Head
These sides have met 18 times in total, with England dominating the record with 7 wins, 9 draws, and 2 losses. Their most recent encounter resulted in a 2-0 victory for England in the opening week of this season’s UEFA Nations League campaign.
Betting
England 1/4
Draw 5/1
Ireland 13/1
Verdict
Having done all the hard work in the previous round and returned to the top of the table, it’s unlikely that England will face much trouble confirming their status on match day 6. Ireland’s lack of form away from home against quality opposition, coupled with their struggles to find the back of the net, leads me to suggest that a play on the hosts to secure a clinical clean sheet victory is the way to go this Sunday.
Suggested Bet: England to win to nil, yes at 8/11
ITALY v FRANCE – Click here to bet
These sides have been placed in League A Group 2 alongside Belgium and Israel
Italy, currently at the top of the table, will host France at the iconic San Siro on Sunday, fresh off a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Belgium in Brussels this past Thursday. That win kept their unbeaten streak intact in the UEFA Nations League, with an impressive record of four wins and one draw, bringing their tally to 13 points from a possible 15. This positions them strongly as they aim to complete a rare double over a French side that has been underperforming. Under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti, Italy has been playing an exciting, attacking brand of football, averaging 2.4 goals per game in the tournament. Spalletti’s high-tempo, offensive style has injected new energy into the national team, and Sunday’s clash in Milan is set to be another thrilling encounter. The Azzurri will be confident of maintaining their momentum, knowing that a draw or better will guarantee top spot before embarking into the quarterfinals.
Two-time World Cup winners France head into the final round of the UEFA Nations League group stage in second place with 10 points. They come off a disappointing 0-0 draw against bottom-placed Israel last Thursday, failing to capitalize on the opportunity to secure a crucial win. This result leaves them with three wins, one draw, and one loss in the campaign so far. With Didier Deschamps’ future at the helm uncertain, France will be eager to bounce back this weekend, especially after their painful 3-1 defeat to Italy on French soil back in September. However, there are signs of unrest within the squad, with Deschamps facing mounting pressure and tensions rising following the exclusion of star player Kylian Mbappé once again. Despite these distractions, France remain a side full of quality, currently averaging 1.8 goals per game in the Nations League, and their away record is impressive, remaining unbeaten with consecutive victories over Belgium and Israel. With the group still up for grabs and the knowledge that a victory by two goals or more will secure top spot, Didier Deschamps will be hoping for a strong response from his side before heading into the quarterfinals alongside Italy.
Head-to-Head
These sides have met 38 times overall, with Italy dominating the record with 19 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses. Their most recent encounter resulted in a convincing 3-1 victory for Italy in Paris in the reverse fixture back in September.
Betting
Italy 37/20
Draw 23/10
France 16/10
Verdict
With both teams having secured their place in the quarterfinals, this match essentially comes down to bragging rights in terms of who finishes at the top of the table. Italy certainly enter this clash in better form, but with an incentive still lingering for the visitors, I’m hoping to see fireworks between these two quality sides this weekend.
Suggested Bet: both Teams to Score, Yes at 9/10
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
