The new season of the UEFA Nations League has sprung quite a few surprises. The top teams have struggled to bring their quality to bear, especially in matches where they seem the favourites.
France sits in third place in Group A1 behind Denmark and Austria after two matches. Les Bleues have not won a match yet.
For all intents and purposes, Switzerland has been disappointing so far, losing their first three matches of the campaign.
And yet, the Netherlands has been brilliant and it is not just about the results. The mentality has been great and so has the football on show.
Italy- mostly on a rebuilding process- will visit a particularly lacklustre England side this weekend. It is safe to say there is plenty riding on this fixture.
Preview Of R1 matches (Selected Fixtures)
The Netherlands made easy work of a Belgium side who were mostly all over the place, beating them 4-1 in Brussels.
Austria continued their progressive display with a 3-0 away win against Croatia.
Karim Benzema’s wonder goal was cancelled out by a brilliant brace from Andreas Cornelius as Denmark defeated France 2-1.
England lost disappointingly 1-0 to a resilient Hungary team.
Italy and Germany shared the spoils 1-1 as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace in Portugal’s 4-0 thrashing of Switzerland.
Inigo Martinez’s last gasp goal helped salvage a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic.
Preview Of This Weekend’s UNL Matches
France faces an uphill task against Austria in Vienna tonight. Didier Deschamps’s men sit five points behind Denmark and will be desperate to earn their first win.
Group A1 leaders, Denmark will look to continue their excellent start to the Nations League campaign when they face Croatia.
The headline fixture of this weekend will see England welcome Italy to the Molineux stadium.
The Netherlands take on Poland tomorrow night as Germany travels to face Hungary.
Wales, who are still revelling in their World Cup qualification faces Belgium.
Switzerland will be seeking the first-leg revenge when Portugal makes the trip as Spain tackles the Czech Republic.
Predictions For This Weekend’s UNL Matches
Austria vs France (over 1.5 goals)
Denmark vs Croatia (1X)
England vs Italy (over 2.5 goals)
Netherlands vs Poland (1)
Hungary vs Germany (2)
Wales vs Belgium (goal/goal)
Switzerland vs Portugal (2)
Spain vs Czech Republic (over 1.5 goals)
