Spain will hopefully have learned the lessons of last week’s 2-2 Nations League draw in the Czech Republic ahead of Sunday’s Malaga rematch. La Roja dominated that contest, having 73 per cent possession, but were caught out twice on the break.
After two thrilling semi-finals, Spain and France will do battle in the second Nations League decider at the San Siro in Milan. Les Bleus eventually found a way to overcome Belgium’s high-pressing tactics and that should be good practice for now facing La Roja.
Third-placed play-offs are always tough to call but the percentage pick is to go with Italy to make home advantage count against Belgium. The Azzurr should also benefit from having an extra day to recover from their Nations League semi-final loss.
Belgium tackle France in the second Nations League semi-final in Turin in a rematch of their tussle in the last four of the 2018 World Cup. Les Bleus came out on top in Russia three years ago before going on to lift the trophy and we’re favouring repeat over revenge.
England’s hopes of reaching the Nations League finals again are over but they will be keen to end their Group A2 campaign on a high note at Wembley. Iceland have failed to pick up a point from five previous fixtures in this pool and were beaten 1-0 by the Three Lions in Reykjavick a couple of months ago.
Wales only need a point to claim promotion from Nations League Group B4 and may settle for a share of the spoils with second-placed Finland in Cardiff. The visitors can still top the table if successful here, but did lose 1-0 to the Dragons on home turf in Helsinki back in September.
Northern Ireland have twice been courageous in defeat during the current international break and we’re hoping for another spirited effort versus Romania. The visitors like to play football and have been involved in some entertaining encounters themselves over the last couple of months.
Republic of Ireland will be battling to avoid relegation from Nations League Group B4 when facing fellow strugglers Bulgaria in Dublin on Wednesday. The men in green are a point above their opponents and only need a draw to stay up, but we’re backing them to claim a morale-boosting victory.
Switzerland have gone seven games without a win but are fancied to buck that trend when entertaining Ukraine in the final round of Nations League fixtures. The Nati have played well enough in their last few matches to suggest they can secure the victory needed to avoid being relegated from this pool.
France can afford to play with freedom after wrapping up top spot in Nations League Group A3 and that could be bad news for Sweden. Les Bleus have plenty of strength in depth if Didier Deschamps opts to make changes and are fancied to see off the relegation-threatened visitors.
Croatia have much more at stake than Portugal ahead of the final round of Nations League Group A3 fixtures and that could make them a value bet. The Blazers are battling to avoid a costly relegation, whereas their opponents are assured of finishing in second place behind France in this section.
England upset Belgium at Wembley in the Nations League last month but we fear they will find life tough in the return fixture in Leuven. The Red Devils remain on top of the Group A2 table, having won their other three fixtures, including a 5-1 thrashing of Iceland on home turf.
Scotland and Slovakia may find it difficult to come down from the highs of Thursday’s Euro 2020 play-off finals for Sunday’s Nations League clash. These teams are at opposite ends of the Group B2 table but look pretty evenly matched on previous meetings in this competition and 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Wales are battling it out with Finland for top spot in Nations League Group B4 and should be far more motivated in Cardiff than Republic of Ireland. The men in green have had to endure a tough 12 months and head into this contest looking low on confidence and self-belief.