Football: Nations League BetKing Preview and Betting Tips
The Nations League is back for the last time this year before the World Cup begins. This gives teams heading to the World Cup an opportunity to fine-tune their squads. There is also the not-so-small matter of the UEFA Nations League to play.
The Nations League is full of surprises. If matchday 5 and 6 are anything like the previous matchdays, then neutrals and punters are in for an exciting and profitable international break.
Source: UGC
Here is a quick preview of some select matches coming up on match day 5:
Croatia vs Denmark
Croatia did not start well in Group 1. To kick things off, they lost 3-0 to Austria but followed that with wins over France and Denmark. This is a crucial clash in what has been termed the group of death. Denmark are top of the group with 9 points, winning 3 games and losing only to Croatia. Denmark however, put that loss aside to earn a 2-0 win over Austria in their last Nations League match.
There’s plenty of talent on both sides. The ageless Luka Modric will line up alongside Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic in midfield for Croatia. There’s also an exciting crop of young talent like RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol, Bayern Munich right-back Josip Stanisic, and Rennes central midfielder Lovro Majer rapidly becoming established members of the Croatian senior team.
On the Danish side, Kasper Dolberg, Joachim Andersen, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Mikkel Damsgaard are some of the talents available for the clash.
Unfortunately for the Danes, Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, and Wolfsburg striker Jonas Wind are currently injured.
Prediction: Both teams are evenly matched, but Croatia have turned around the poor start to the campaign they have had and will be looking to usurp Denmark at the top of the group. Playing at home gives them a good chance of doing so. Croatia win 2-1
Our betting picks:
France vs Austria
The second match of Group A1 gives the French an opportunity to move out of the bottom. If they lose to Austria, they will likely be relegated. Beating the Austrians will not be an easy task considering how France have fared so far.
Austria started the league well, getting a 3-0 win over Croatia but have lost twice to Denmark and gotten a draw with France since. Their 4 points have put them in third place, two points ahead of France who will be looking to leapfrog the Austrians if they get all three points.
Both teams are looking to avoid relegation to League B. With no World Cup ahead of them, Ralf Ragnick’s Austria side will aim to focus on Nations League survival, while France are looking to shake off a poor run of form ahead of a World Cup title defence.
The French are favourites on paper and were tipped to top this group despite the calibre of opponents in the group. They have failed to do so and have to contend with rumours of discontent in the squad and an injury to Karim Benzema.
Prediction: France needed a Mbappe equalizer last time they played Austria, the PSG man might not even play this time around. Regardless, whatever side Didier Deschamps selects should have enough quality to win. France win 2-0
Our betting picks:
Turkey vs Luxembourg
Turkey have been dominant in a group that includes the Faroe Islands, Lithuania and Luxembourg. They have picked up all three points in the four matches they have played, with 14 goals scored and none conceded. Their previous meeting against Luxembourg was a 2-0 at Luxembourg and the Turks should be confident of getting all three points when they play in front of their fans on Thursday.
They already look like runaway winners of the group when they host second-placed Luxembourg, who have availed themselves well so far, getting two wins, a loss and a draw to earn 7 points in four matches. However, that loss was against Turkey whom they now play in Istanbul.
Prediction: Turkey have won all their matches in this group and are likely to continue in the same vein against Luxembourg. Turkey win 3-0.
Our betting picks:
Poland vs Netherlands
Third-place Poland host group leaders Netherlands with hopes of a reaction after losing to Belgium on matchday 4.
While striker Robert Lewandowski has been in imperious form for Barcelona, he has been unable to lift his Polish side to the top of the group all by himself. Poland’s only win in the group was a 2-1 victory over Wales, who are bottom of the group.
The Netherlands travel to Warsaw confident of a win; so far they have amassed 10 points in 4 matches. They will be wary of Poland though; their only draw was when they hosted Poland and they will also be careful of a slip-up that will have second-placed Belgium breathing down their necks for the group’s top spot.
However, history is on the side of the Dutch. In 18 head-to-head meetings between the Netherlands and Poland, the Netherlands have won eight matches, drawn seven and lost three.
Prediction: The Netherlands are favoured to win this clash. They have enough stability in defence to try to limit Robert Lewandowski and have a slew of attacking talent to throw at the Polish defence. The Netherlands win this one 2-1.
Our betting picks:
Belgium vs Wales
Belgium host one of the two teams in their group they are yet to beat when they welcome Wales to the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
While the Belgians might be looking at a win over the Netherlands as the key fixture that decides the group winner, failure to get all three points against Wales will see their chances of toppling the Dutch reduced to almost zero.
There is much at stake for the Welsh too. Wales head to Brussels needing all three points to hopefully set up a crucial clash against Poland that determines which team avoids relegation to Tier B.
After resting some key players in the clash against Poland, Roberto Martinez should field a much stronger side against Wales as they continue to play catchup with the Netherlands.
Prediction: Belgium has both the motivation and talent to win this match. Wales has improved much lately; they have qualified for the World Cup and are in the top tier of the UEFA Nations League. That step up in quality of opposition has seemed too difficult for them with the Dragons winning only two matches in their last 8 outings. Belgium is poised to win this 3-1
Our betting picks:
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Source: Legit.ng
