It’s that time of the week again where we run through a selection of the most exciting matches taking place this weekend and offer our best bets and value picks.
Austria v France (Friday)
France continues their World Cup preparations when they take on Austria in the Nations League on Friday night. Both sides suffered 2-1 defeats in Group A1 at the hands of Denmark and will be eyeing victory to advance in the competition. But Les Bleus, boasting a star-studded team, should show their class with a dominant display, resulting in a win for the reigning world champions.
Suggested bet: France to win
Value bet: France -1handicap
Denmark v Croatia (Friday)
Denmark and Croatia will step up their World Cup preparations when they meet in Copenhagen on Friday night in Group A1 of the Nations League. Since their impressive showing at Euro 2020, the Danish Dynamite have been on an upward trajectory, and they head into this tie on a three-match winning streak, which includes a victory over world champions France. Croatia, meanwhile, are winless from their two Nations League ties this month.
Suggested bet: Denmark to win
Value bet: Denmark to win to zero
England v Italy (Saturday)
Arguably the most eye-catching tie in the weekend’s Nations League fixtures sees England and Italy face off at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday night. The Three Lions are one of the favourites to win the global showpiece and are expected to get the better of an Italian side still reeling from disappointment after failing to qualify for Qatar.
Suggested bet: England to win
Value bet: England to win to zero
Netherlands v Poland (Saturday)
Netherlands host Poland in the Nations League on Saturday night, as the nations continue their World Cup preparations. Louis van Gaal’s side have won both of their matches in Group A4 with away wins over Belgium (4-1) and Wales (2-1). Poland, meanwhile, claimed a 2-1 win over Wales but were thumped 6-1 by Belgium last time out.
Suggested bet: Netherlands to win
Value bet: Netherlands to win by half-time
Hungary v Germany (Saturday)
Germany will face Hungary in the Nations League in Budapest on Saturday. Die Mannschaft have played four games since finishing top of their World Cup qualifying group where they registered nine wins from 10 games. After a 2-0 victory over Israel, Hansi Flick’s team had to settle for draws against Netherlands, Italy, and England. Meanwhile, Hungary failed to build on their shock win over England and slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Italy.
Suggested bet: Germany to win
Value bet: Germany -1handicap
Wales v Belgium (Saturday)
Wales and Belgium face off in the Nations League on Saturday night, as the nations step up their World Cup preparations. It’s no surprise that the odds heavily favour Belgium as the Red Devils are ranked No. 2 in the FIFA World Rankings, while Wales are currently ranked No. 18. Belgium head into this tie-off an emphatic 6-1 win over Poland, while the Welsh national team lost 2-1 at home to Netherlands last time out.
Suggested bet: Belgium to win
Value bet: Belgium -1handicap
Spain v Czech Republic (Sunday)
Spain continues their World Cup preparations when they host Czech Republic in the Nations League on Sunday. La Roja got a late goal from Inigo Martinez to rescue a 2-2 draw when the sides met in Prague last weekend. But Luis Enrique’s side, who have won their last three home meetings against the Czechs, will be expected to claim all three points this time.
Suggested bet: Spain to win
Value bet: Spain to win and both teams to score
Switzerland v Portugal (Sunday)
Portugal takes on Switzerland in the Nations League on Sunday night. The Portuguese will head into the fixture high on confidence following their emphatic 4-0 win over the Swiss last weekend. Despite topping their Group C table to secure automatic qualification for Qatar, it’s been a rocky start to the year for the Red Crosses, losing to the likes of England and Czech Republic before being thumped by Portugal, while they also failed to beat Kosovo at home, settling for a 1-1 draw.
Suggested bet: Portugal to win
Value bet: Portugal -1handicap
Norway v Sweden (Sunday)
Sweden takes on Norway in Oslo on Sunday in Group B4 of the Nations League. The Norwegian national team have been in excellent form since the start of the year, picking up wins over Slovakia, Armenia, and Serbia, while they played Sweden last weekend, claiming a 2-1 victory courtesy of an Erling Haaland double.
Suggested bet: Norway to win
Value bet: Erling Haaland to score first
Mexico v Suriname (Sunday)
Mexico will continue their preparations for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar with a Concacaf Nations League game against minnows Suriname on Sunday. The Mexicans failed to win either of their two friendlies this month, losing 3-0 to Uruguay before playing out a goalless draw against Ecuador. But they’ll be confident of getting back to winning ways here, and it should be a dominant performance from the Qatar-bound side.
Suggested bet: Mexico to win
Value bet: Mexico -1handicap