This week marks the start of the UEFA Nations League, with England, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland all in action. This interesting competition seeks to add a little more interest to friendly fixtures whilst also boosting the value of the TV rights. It seem unlikely to encourage the best sides to field their strongest XIs but we shall see.
On Thursday night, Wales and Ireland meet at the Cardiff City Stadium, while heavyweights Germany and France square off in Munich in the sort of game this competition is really all about. Meanwhile, both England and Northern Ireland begin their Nations League campaigns on Saturday.
UEFA Nations League
| Date | Time | Match | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/09/2018 | 19:45 | Germany v France | 1-1 Draw |
| 06/09/2018 | 19:45 | Czech Republic v Ukraine | Draw |
| 06/09/2018 | 19:45 | Norway v Cyprus | Norway to Win -1 |
| 06/09/2018 | 19:45 | Wales v Republic of Ireland | Draw & BTTS |
| 07/09/2018 | 19:45 | Italy v Poland | Italy to Win 2-0 |
| 07/09/2018 | 19:45 | Romania v Montenegro | Montenegro Win |
The new Nations League gets up and running on Thursday. European international friendlies have been revamped with a new league system, with promotion and relegation now taking place. Next June, the Nations League Finals will be contested by the teams who have qualified from the league phase. In addition, the four best performing sides who haven’t otherwise qualified for Euro 2020 will gain entry to that major championship following a series of play-offs.
Germany v France
Thursday 6th September, 19:45, Sky Sports
Joachim Low’s Germany and Didier Deschamps’ France meet at the Allianz Arena in Munich for the standout Nations League match of the round. The world champions will be on the hunt for a positive result, while the Germans will be keen to make amends after a World Cup to forget.
Germany were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage after winning just one of three games in Russia. In contrast, the French went all the way, beating Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling final in Moscow and playing some superb football as the tournament progressed.
This should be an entertaining fixture in Munich, but we’re having a hard time splitting the two. With that in mind, back the 1-1 draw at 5/1 with Ladbrokes, with 2-2 also worth considering at much longer odds in an game without too much pressure.
1-1 Draw – 5/1 at Ladbrokes
Czech Republic v Ukraine
Thursday 6th September, 19:45, Sky Sports
Czech Republic entertain Ukraine in League B, Group 1 on Thursday. Karel Jarolim’s Czechs are favourites to claim the win on home soil.
With each nation missing out on the World Cup in Russia, both sides will be desperate to get their Nations League campaign off to a good start. For sides such as these, this really does give them another chance at Euro 2020 qualifying so we could see them taking things very seriously. The last time the pair met, they played out an uneventful 0-0 draw back in 2012.
Thursday’s clash could go either way, but we fancy this to end all square in Uherske Hradiste. The stalemate is available at 11/5 at bet365 and offers decent value between nations at a similar level.
Draw – 11/5 at bet365
Norway v Cyprus
Thursday 6th September, 19:45, Sky Sports
Norway, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Slovenia are the four nations contesting League C, Group 3. On Thursday night in Oslo, the Norwegians welcome the Cypriots to the Ullevaal Stadion.
This group looks a tough one to prosper in, with all four countries pretty evenly matched. bet365 has Norway, Slovenia and Bulgaria all available at 2/1 to win the group, with Cyprus the only real outsiders priced at odds of 8/1.
Lars Lagerback’s Norway will be looking to make home advantage count in this one, and they should be too strong for their visitors on Thursday. Have a punt on the hosts to win -1 at 5/4 at Coral.
Norway to Win -1 – 5/4 at Coral
Wales v Republic of Ireland
Thursday 6th September, 19:45, Sky Sports
Ryan Giggs’ Wales and Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland lock horns at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Welsh capital on Thursday night. Back in October, Ireland beat Wales to reach the World Cup qualifying play-offs. Which way will this intriguing fixture go in Cardiff this time?
After their heroics at Euro 2016, Wales will be looking to qualify for their second successive European Championship and the Nations League’s extra four qualification places will certainly interest them. As for the Irish, they have qualified for the last two Euros, reaching the Round of 16 in France two years ago, but may also take this competition very seriously.
It was a close game when these two met in Cardiff back in October last year, and we’re expecting more of the same on Thursday. BetVictor are offering 17/4 for the draw and both teams to score and that looks good, with 1-1 another option at longer odds.
Draw & Both Teams to Score – 17/4 at BetVictor
Italy v Poland
Friday 7th September, 19:45, Sky Sports
On Friday night in Bologna, Roberto Mancini’s Italy entertain Jerzy Brzeczek’s Poland at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Despite missing the tournament in Russia whilst Poland qualified, the Italians are the clear favourites to win this one.
Italy may have failed to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1958, but Mancini will fancy himself to get Gli Azzurri back into a major tournament. The Poles, meanwhile, will be hoping to bounce back from a pretty forgettable World Cup in Russia.
Poland will no doubt make themselves hard to break down in Bologna, but the hosts should get the job done on home turf. The 2-0 Italy win is available at 6/1 with bet365.
Italy to Win 2-0 – 6/1 at bet365
Romania v Montenegro
Friday 7th September, 19:45, Sky Sports
Cosmin Contra’s Romania play Ljubisa Tumbakovic’s Montenegro at the Ilie Oana Stadium in Ploiesti on Friday. The Romanians are fancied to kick off League C, Group 4 with a win on their own patch.
These two countries met in World Cup 2018 qualifying, with the match in Romania ending in a 1-1 draw, while the game in Montenegro finished in a 1-0 win for the home team. That indicates we should see a pretty close contest here and it certainly is one where any of the three results are possible.
The Romanians are favourites in this one, but we can see Tumbakovic’s troops picking up a precious three points in Ploiesti. You can get the away win at 18/5 at bet365 and with little between the nations that’s a big price.
Montenegro Win – 18/5 at bet365