2024/25 Nations League Betting: Key Matches, Predictions, and Odds
Last updated: 9 October 2024 by Leon Marshal
Another International break is upon us, but the football action doesn’t stop with all the Home Nations involved in the Nations League. England faces a top-of-the-table clash with Greece, a fixture that brings back memories of that Beckham freekick against Greece in 2001. Join Leon as he previews all the games involving British teams.
The UEFA Nations League returns with its 2024/25 season, bringing a fresh wave of excitement, fierce competition, and enticing betting opportunities for football enthusiasts at the best betting sites. As national teams vie for glory, promotion, and a chance to assert their dominance on the European stage, Matchday Three is set to be a pivotal point in the tournament.
In this article, I’ll delve into the most anticipated clashes, providing in-depth match previews, key player insights, and expert betting tips complete with odds and reasoning. From England’s determined push to climb back into League A against a resilient Greece to Scotland’s challenging encounter with Croatia, the stage is set for high-stakes football drama. I’ll also explore Wales’s crucial match against Iceland and Northern Ireland’s strategic battle with Belarus.
Nations League – Matchday Three – England
Tino Livramento and @curtisjr_10 have been added to the #ThreeLions squad ahead of tomorrow’s game against Greece.@HKane continues his individualised programme at St. George’s Park, while @JackGrealish misses training as a precaution with a minor knock.
— England (@England) October 9, 2024
After the disappointment of being relegated from League A, England will be eager to return to the top tier of the Nations League. The team is looking strong and motivated to push for promotion in League B, aiming to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
England has won both of their opening matches, defeating the Republic of Ireland 2-0 and Finland 2-0, showing strong defensive performances without conceding a goal.
Top performing players:
Harry Kane: England’s captain is the leading scorer with three goals in the tournament. He averages 2.6 shots per game and wins 1.7 aerial battles per match, showcasing his strength both on the ground and in the air.
Jude Bellingham: The midfielder has scored twice and provided an assist, contributing key moments in attack. Bellingham has an 88.1% pass completion rate and averages 0.9 shots per game, proving essential in England’s midfield control.
Bukayo Saka: Saka has scored one goal and has been vital in England’s wide play. He completes 1.9 dribbles per game and maintains a 91% pass accuracy, offering creativity and precision on the wing.
Marc Guéhi: Defensively, Guéhi has been solid, winning 2.2 aerial duels per game and providing one assist. His ability to read the game and build from the back has been a key part of England’s defence, which has kept two clean sheets.
England’s balanced team performance so far indicates that they will be tough to break down as they continue their Nations League campaign.
Greece have started their Nations League campaign strongly, winning both of their opening matches without conceding a goal. They defeated Finland 3-0 and the Republic of Ireland 2-0, showing a well-organised defence and effective attack. They sit just above England in the table on goal difference.
Top performing players:
Fotis Ioannidis: Ioannidis has scored three goals, averaging two shots per game and winning 2 aerial duels per match, making him a key threat up front.
Anastasios Bakasetas: With three assists, Bakasetas pulls the strings in midfield, supported by 2.5 shots per game and an 82.9% pass completion rate.
Konstantinos Mavropanos: Mavropanos has been strong defensively, winning one aerial duel per game with an excellent 94.2% pass accuracy.
Greece will look to continue their momentum but face a tough test against England.
Nations League Betting – England vs Greece
England to Win
Odds: 1/4
Reasoning: England are favourites, with their home advantage at Wembley and strong recent form, having won both of their Nations League matches without conceding.
Both Teams to Score – No
Odds: 4/7
Reasoning: Both teams have kept clean sheets in their previous matches, and this could be a low-scoring affair, especially with England’s defensive solidity.
Harry Kane Anytime Scorer
Odds: 9/4
Reasoning: Kane has been in great form, and with Greece likely to sit deep, his ability to find space and score could be crucial. It would, however, be worth waiting to see the line-ups as the England captain trained separately from the England team due to an injury worry.
After England take on Greece, they will face Finland.
Nations League – Finland Overview:
Finland has struggled in the Nations League, losing both of its opening matches without scoring. In their earlier meetings, Finland was defeated 3-0 by Greece and 2-0 by England. Their defence has been shaky, and they have been unable to generate much threat in attack.
Top performing players:
Rasmus Schüller: Schüller contributes in midfield with 1 aerial duel won per game and 82.3% pass accuracy.
Arttu Hoskonen: Finland’s top defender, with 1.5 aerial duels won per match.
Nations League – Matchday Three – Scotland
Congratulations to JD Football @PerformSchools graduate, Jack MacKenzie, on earning his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad 👏 https://t.co/28ZK3oqarZ
— Scottish FA (@ScottishFA) October 8, 2024
Scotland’s Nations League campaign has been challenging so far, with two defeats from two matches. They lost 3-2 against Poland and 2-1 against Portugal, showing their vulnerabilities in defence despite some spirited performances.
Top performing players:
Scott McTominay: McTominay has been a standout player, scoring once and winning two aerial duels per game. He also maintains a solid 71.2% pass accuracy.
Grant Hanley: Hanley is a key player in defence, winning 3.7 aerial duels per game and playing a crucial role in Scotland’s backline.
Callum McGregor: McGregor provides stability in midfield with 91.5% pass accuracy and one assist so far.
Croatia Overview:
Croatia have had a mixed Nations League campaign so far, winning one and losing one. They defeated Poland 1-0 but were beaten 2-1 by Portugal in their opening matches. Croatia will rely on their experienced players to bounce back.
Top performing players:
Andrej Kramaric: The forward has been crucial, scoring a goal and averaging 1.7 shots per game.
Mateo Kovacic: A key presence in midfield with two shots per game and an impressive 92.9% pass accuracy.
Bruno Petkovic: Petkovic offers aerial strength, winning 2.5 aerial duels per game.
Nations League Betting – Croatia vs Scotland
Croatia to Win
Odds: 2/1
Reasoning: Croatia’s home advantage, combined with Scotland’s recent defensive struggles, makes Croatia favourites to win.
Half Time/Full Time – Croatia/Croatia
Odds: 6/4
Reasoning: Croatia is expected to dominate the match from the start, and with
Scotland’s defence looking vulnerable, this is a strong betting option.
After facing Croatia, Scotland will then take on Portugal again.
Portugal Overview:
Portugal has enjoyed a solid start to the Nations League, winning both of their matches against Croatia (2-1) and Scotland (2-1). Their strong squad boasts several top-performing players across all areas of the pitch.
Top performing players:
Nuno Mendes: The defender has been impressive with a 7.51 average rating, winning 2.5 aerial duels per game and maintaining a
93.6% pass accuracy.
Bernardo Silva: Silva has scored one goal and averages 1.8 shots per game with an overall rating of 7.29.
Bruno Fernandes: Fernandes adds creativity in midfield with one goal, 2.5 shots per game, and a 7.21 rating.
Nations League – Matchday Three – Wales
Ymarfer yn y glaw 🌧️#NationsLeague | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/XxVdIw2CLA
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) October 8, 2024
Wales are competing in League B of the UEFA Nations League. They have had a mixed campaign so far, drawing 0-0 with Türkiye and securing a 2-1 victory over Montenegro. They will now face Iceland in their next match.
Top performing players:
Harry Wilson: Wilson has been a key player, scoring one goal and providing an assist. He averages three shots per game and has a 7.55 rating.
Ben Davies: A defensive rock with 92.7% pass accuracy and 1.5 aerial duels won per game.
Kieffer Moore: Moore adds physicality up front, winning two aerial duels per game and contributing one goal.
Iceland Overview:
Iceland has had a mixed Nations League campaign so far, winning 2-0 against Montenegro but losing 3-1 to Türkiye. They will now face Wales in a crucial match.
Top performing players:
Victor Pálsson: Pálsson has contributed a goal and leads in aerial duels, averaging 3 per game with a 7.23 rating.
Jón Thorsteinsson: Thorsteinsson has also scored and averages 1 shot per game with a 7.2 rating.
Jóhann Gudmundsson: Gudmundsson has provided two assists and holds a 7.3 rating.
Nations League Betting – Iceland vs Wales
Double Chance – Iceland or Draw
Odds: 1/2
Reasoning: Iceland has been solid at home, and this market provides coverage for a close match.
Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 6/5
Reasoning: Both teams have been involved in matches with multiple goals, making this a good option for a higher-scoring game.
Both Teams to Score – Yes
Odds: 10/11
Reasoning: With both sides capable of finding the net, this is likely to be a competitive, end-to-end match.
Nations League – Matchday Three – Northern Ireland
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 🟢⚪️ #GAWA pic.twitter.com/M5sLIiia4E
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) October 8, 2024
Northern Ireland is competing in League C of the UEFA Nations League. Their campaign has been mixed so far, with a 2-0 victory over Luxembourg and a 1-0 loss to Bulgaria.
Top performing players:
Dan Ballard: Ballard has been strong in defence, contributing a goal and winning five aerial duels per game. His rating is 7.58.
Paddy McNair: McNair has also scored, winning 1.5 aerial duels per game with a 6.99 rating.
George Saville: Saville provided one assist and maintains an impressive 88.6% pass accuracy.
Belarus Overview:
Belarus has experienced a mixed Nations League campaign. They drew 0-0 with Bulgaria and secured a 1-0 victory over Luxembourg.
Top performing players:
Zakhar Volkov: Volkov has been strong in defence, winning 1 aerial duel per game and achieving a 7.89 rating.
Pavel Zabelin: Zabelin has been solid, winning 2.5 aerial duels per game with a 7.29 rating.
Valeri Gromyko: Gromyko has contributed one goal with a 7.49 rating.
Nations League Betting – Belarus vs Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland to Win
Odds: 9/10
Reasoning: Northern Ireland has a good record against Belarus and is the favourite to win based on recent form.
Under 2.5 Goals
Odds: 13/20
Reasoning: Both teams have been involved in low-scoring matches, and this fixture could follow the same trend.
Dion Charles First Goalscorer
Odds: 7/1
Reasoning: Charles is Northern Ireland’s key attacking player, making him a strong candidate to open the scoring.
After their match against Belarus, Northern Ireland will face Bulgaria.
Bulgaria Overview:
Bulgaria is coming off a solid Nations League performance, drawing 0-0 with Belarus and defeating Northern Ireland 1-0. They have been strong defensively, conceding just one goal in two matches.
Top performing players:
Kiril Despodov: Bulgaria’s key attacking player, scoring once with a 7.96 rating.
Aleksandar Kolev: Kolev has provided an assist and won 3.5 aerial duels per game with a 7.02 rating.
Dimitar Mitov: Mitov has been solid in goal, with a 7.14 rating.
The Nations League often throws up surprising results, meaning a potential windfall for punters who back the upset at football betting sites. England’s game will be televised on ITV (STV in Scotland), and Wales will be shown on S4C (also on iPlayer). The TV channels for the Scotland and Northern Ireland clashes are yet to be confirmed.
All the data in this article is sourced from WhoScored.com, while the betting odds are provided by bet365.
Please note that odds are subject to fluctuation. This content is meant for entertainment only and should not be considered as financial advice. Always gamble responsibly, and for further information on responsible gambling, please check the resources located in the footer of this page.
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