The first international break of the season is here and there are a host of exciting matches to look forward to including a monster clash in the UEFA Nations League between France and Italy. As always, we’ve got expert betting tips to boost your chances of winning big; this time, you can turn ₦1000 into **₦654,720.53!**
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**Portugal vs Croatia** The first-ever UEFA Nations League winners kick off the fourth edition against 2023 runners-up, Croatia. Both teams had a disappointing summer, with Portugal eliminated by France in the quarter-finals of EURO 2024, and Croatia failing to win a single group match. On paper, Portugal remain stacked with talent. Veteran centre-back Pepe may have called time on his career, but Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong, and remans a vital part of Roberto Martínez’s 25-man squad. The home fans have every reason to be confident, given Portugal’s perfect competitive record against Croatia (W4), including a 4-1 thrashing in the UNL. However, it’s worth noting that Portugal have a 50% win ratio in their last four home matches in this competition (W2, L2). Croatia, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing summer. Just like Ronaldo, his former Real Madrid team mate is also still going strong, despite retirement rumours, and will remain first choice in Zlatko Dalic’s midfield. He’s also just two caps away from equaling Sergio Ramos’s record as the joint-second highest capped player from a UEFA nation. The visitors were on a 6-game winning streak before the EUROs, and they are certainly capable of putting up a fight against this Portugal team. **Bet Prediction: With a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal, including Rafa Leao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, and Diogo Jota, Roberto Martinez has all the tools to secure a winning start for Portugal. If he gets his team selection right, our full-time prediction is a home win with Ronaldo to find the net.**
**Scotland vs Poland** Scotland are looking to put a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign behind them as they turn their attention to the UEFA Nations League. After winning 4 of their 6 games in League B, the hosts earned promotion to the top tier, where the opposition becomes even tougher. Finishing inside the top two would send them through to the quarter-finals of UEFA’s newly expanded tournament; third place would result in a relegation playoff, while bottom spot confirms demotion back to League B. Poland are also rebuilding after a disappointing EURO 2024. They’ve lost veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to retirement, but still have the talismanic Robert Lewandowski leading the line. Despite never winning their opening away match in a UNL campaign, they have an encouraging away record against Scotland, unbeaten in 3 (W1). Michal Probierz has been retained as manager despite the EUROs setback and he will be keen to get the team back on track. **Bet Prediction: Scotland’s recent slump could continue with several key players, including Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, and Billy Gilmour, expected to be unavailable or limited due to fitness issues** **Poland have their own limitations, but they have a clinical finisher in Lewandowski, who has started the season on fire at Barcelona (4 goals in 4 games).**
**Serbia vs Spain** Serbia’s Euro 2024 campaign was a letdown, to say the least. Some online betting experts had backed them to be dark horses, but they ended up bottom of their group with just two points. Head coach Dragan Stojkovic’s record at major tournaments stands at zero wins in six matches. However, it’s been a different story in the Nations League, where Serbia have been incredible, rising from League C to League A in just three campaigns (W9, D6, L3). Their first test in League A is the defending champions, Spain, who’ve lost just two of their last 21 internationals. La Roja are on a roll, having won Euro 2024 in style, becoming the first team to win all seven matches at a major tournament. They’re also the top scorers in Euros history, with 15 goals. Luis de la Fuente has done an incredible job since taking over, winning 17 of his 21 matches. The two teams have only met once before, in a friendly back in 2012, which Spain won 2-0, thanks to goals from Adrian and Santi Cazorla. **[Prediction:](https://www.betweysure.com/) Spain should have no problems dispatching a Serbia side, missing key players like Dusan Tadic and Milinkovic-Savic. Our bet of the day is a win for the defending champs.**
**Belgium vs Israel** Belgium’s golden generation has consistently failed to deliver on the big stage, and their Euro 2024 second-round exit to France was the latest disappointment. However, they’ll have a chance to make amends in the UEFA Nations League, where they take on France again, as well as Italy and Israel. They begin their campaign with a home game against Israel, well technically, as the game will be played behind closed doors in Hungary due to security concerns. Belgium should still be confident, having beaten Israel in six of their last seven meetings. Israel will make their League A debut after a strong qualification campaign, but they’ll find it much tougher against top-tier opponents. They have won 2 of their last 9 away games and have failed to defeat a top-ten FIFA ranked team since 1998. **Bet prediction: Belgium should secure a big win here, even without Romelu Lukaku. Get the best odds by backing an easy win for the hosts.**
**France vs Italy** France are back in action for the first time since their heartbreaking Euro 2024 semi-final loss to Spain, and they’ll be looking to make a statement in the UEFA Nations League. While this competition may not carry the same prestige as the Euros or World Cup, it still holds a special place in French hearts, thanks to their 2021 triumph. Didier Deschamps has shaken things up by calling up two new faces, Manu Kone and Michael Olise, to his squad, a welcome development seeing as this France team could do with some fresh blood, especially in the final third. Their form in this competition has been disappointing, with just one win in six UNL games since lifting the trophy in 2021, and they will aim to begin this campaign with a statement result against Italy. Italy, on the other hand, are desperate to restore some pride after a tough period. They crashed out of Euro 2024 in the last 16 and have missed out on the last two World Cups. A win in Paris could be just the boost they need, and Luciano Spalletti will be relieved to have Sandro Tonali back in the fold after his ten-month suspension. Italy may be without a win in three games, but they’ve historically performed well in the UNL league phase, losing just two of 16 matches. They also have the edge in the head-to-head, having won the last competitive meeting between the two back in 2008. **Our Prediction: France are simply the better side and have a depth of talent should see them through, whereas Italy are still rebuilding and lack quality in key areas, especially in attack where Gianlucca Scammaca has been ruled out for several months.** **We are backing France to win as part of our daily bet tips, and that’s a pick that could offer you good value.**
**Kazakhstan vs Norway** Kazakhstan will kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Norway on Friday. The hosts narrowly missed out on qualification to Euro 2024 after a crushing defeat to Greece and are still yet to reach a major tournament as an independent nation. New boss Stanislav Cherchesov took the reins just before those summer games, replacing Magomed Adiyev who cited ‘family reasons’ for his departure. Cherchesov now leads the Hawks into uncharted territory - a UEFA Nations League campaign in Group B3, their highest level yet. Norway arrive in Almaty looking to bounce back from a 3-1 loss to Denmark in their last outing. Stale Solbakken’s side have a decent record, having lost back-to-back games only once under his tenure. They’ll be aiming to kickstart their campaign with a win, given their strong record of just 2 defeats against lower ranked teams since 2020. They also have the red-hot Erling Haaland, who has 11 goals in his last 7 games for club and country. This will be the first-ever meeting between Kazakhstan and Norway, with the Scandinavians looking to make a statement in Division B. **Prediction: Kazakhstan’s rapid rise to the second tier in the Nations League in the space of just two years means they cannot be underestimated, but Norway should have enough firepower with Haaland, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sørloth in their ranks to claim a win here.**
**Argentina vs Chile** World and Copa America champions Argentina resume their quest for 2026 World Cup qualification when they host Chile at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires. Lionel Scaloni’s men are in unbelievable form, topping the South American standings with five wins from six matches, including a crucial 1-0 victory over Brazil. They have a 71%-win rate under Scaloni, which is significant for the online betting community, as a bet prediction for Argentina to win at any given time provides excellent value. Chile, on the other hand, are struggling badly, Languishing in eighth place, with just one win from their opening six qualifying matches. Once ranked as high as third in the world by FIFA in 2016, they’ve since slipped to 43rd in the current standings after crashing out in the group stage of Copa America. New coach Ricardo Gareca will be determined to turn things around, although, it is unlikely to happen in this game, particularly given their poor record against Argentina - just one win in 13 meetings. **Prediction: Despite the absence of talisman and captain Lionel Messi, we expect Argentina to dominate and take all three points on home soil. Full time prediction – Argentina win.**