A bumper weekend of international football awaits for the Home Nations as the 2020/21 Nations League starts to take shape.
Scotland kick off their campaign at home to Israel on Friday night, while Northern Ireland start a new era under Ian Baraclough with a tricky trip to Romania.
On Saturday, England will be looking to right some wrongs against Iceland, while Wales and Ireland return to action on Sunday looking to continue their unbeaten starts.
Here are our latest Nations League betting tips as the tournament continues…
In a parallel universe, Danny Ings might have enjoyed a Trafalgar Square bus parade by now after timing his Southampton form to perfection to help power England to Euro 2020 glory.For the time being, Ings will have to play a patient waiting game and maintain his form and fitness to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s thinking ahead of next summer’s tournament.
This trip to Iceland could be a timely reminder to Southgate that Ings is ready for an extended stay at international level. He’ll be chomping at the bit to end his spell as a one-cap wonder.
Gareth Southgate’s squad selections haven’t been without their fair share of controversy in recent times, with his defensive picks starting to come under closer scrutiny.Call ups for Tyrone Mings and Michael Keane have raised eyebrows on some quarters given both hardly covered themselves in glory at times last season.
With left back also looking a problem position for this game, Iceland could still cause the Three Lions plenty of problems despite being a pale imitation of the Class of 2016.
The midfield magician might just be Scotland’s secret weapon heading into an important set of fixtures for the Tartan Army which includes a last shot at qualifying for Euro 2020 in October.
Tonight, they play their opponents in those play-offs – Israel. A win in their Nations League opener would prove a huge psychological boost as they bid to finally reach a major international tournament for the first time since France ’98. McGinn hit seven goals in eight international goals last year. How Scotland could do with a repeat of that form this autumn.
Pity poor Ian Baraclough. Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Michael O’Neill looks a daunting task for any manager. The former U21 manager will at least be familiar with the set-up as he looks to implement a smooth transition, but he’s been handed a rough opener as his charges head to Romania.
The hosts are looking to build momentum ahead of October’s Euro 2020 play-offs, and tend to hold firm on home soil, losing to only the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden since late 2016. Will it be a bruising debut for Baraclough?
Ryan Giggs’ side left it late to seal all three points in their Nations League opener with a hard-fought 1-0 win in Finland, and now have a chance to build genuine momentum in Group H by seeing off low-scoring Bulgaria on Sunday.
That might not necessarily be an easy ask – Bulgaria have shipped only three goals in their last four games. Don’t expect a classic at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Boyhood Celtic fan Shane Duffy capped off a memorable week with a late equaliser in Sofia to salvage a draw for the Republic of Ireland in Stephen Kenny’s first game as manager. The Boys in Green now have a chance to build on that point against a Finland side found wanting against Wales.
The home side will need to stay on their toes, however, as the Finns can be fairly useful in front of goal despite that 1-0 reverse, winning six of their last 10 games while hitting 16 goals in the process. This could be fun.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s likely absence for this one due to an infected foot is a reminder to the defending champions that their 35-year-old talisman won’t be around forever. Portugal’s Nations League opener looks the ideal opportunity to look ahead to the next generation, which will surely be spearheaded by the hugely exciting João Félix.
The 20-year-old Atletico Madrid ace has yet to open his account for his country, but this game looks ready-made to change that stat as players warm up for the 2020/21 campaign.
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