Friday's Nations League predictions including Belgium vs. Netherlands

Kazakhstan vs. Azerbaijan (Friday, 3.00pm)

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan get their UEFA Nations League campaigns underway with a League C Group 3 fixture on Friday afternoon.

Both nations endured disappointing seasons during the last edition, Kazakhstan needing to come through the relegation playoffs to remain at the third tier.

We say: Kazakhstan 1-1 Azerbaijan

With Slovakia the clear favourites to top the group, neither of these sides can afford defeat in their opening fixture. A draw may not prove beneficial, especially for Kazakhstan, but we feel that a low-scoring stalemate is the most likely outcome on Friday.

Latvia vs. Andorra (Friday, 5.00pm)

European minnows Andorra will travel to the Daugavas Stadiona on Friday evening to take on Latvia as the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League gets underway.

The two teams will be competing in League D - the competition's lowest rung - once again but seeking an unlikely promotion against the odds.

We say: Latvia 3-1 Andorra

Last campaign's draw specialists come up against a side who have not featured in a stalemate for nine matches. We expect that run to continue as Latvia should be able to comfortably see off their underdog visitors, but they could certainly grab a goal with the belief they will have picked up from their two recent friendly victories.

Croatia vs. Austria (Friday, 7.45pm)

Croatia and Austria will begin their respective 2022-23 UEFA Nations League campaigns with a clash in Osijek on Friday night.

The two teams have been drawn alongside France and Denmark in League A Group 1, and both will play four matches in the competition over the next couple of weeks.

We say: Croatia 2-1 Austria

Rangnick will be desperate to get off to the perfect start as head coach of Austria, and the visitors are certainly capable of picking up a positive result on Friday. Croatia have a lot of quality, though, especially in midfield, and we believe that the home side will claim a narrow success in this contest.

France vs. Denmark (Friday, 7.45pm)

UEFA Nations League champions France will begin the defence of their title against Denmark at Stade de France on Friday night.

Didier Deschamps's side beat Spain in last year's final to lift the trophy, but Denmark went out in the group stage, finishing second in League A Group 2 behind Belgium.

We say: France 2-1 Denmark

Denmark cannot be underestimated due to their obvious quality and true fighting spirit. France are one of the most talented teams in world football, though, and we are expecting the Blues to make it eight straight wins in all competitions with a narrow success on Friday night.

> How France could line up against Denmark

Belgium vs. Netherlands (Friday, 7.45pm)

Belgium and Netherlands will both be looking to make positive starts to their UEFA Nations League campaigns when they lock horns in Brussels on Friday night.

The pair have been drawn alongside Poland and Wales in League A Group 4, and both sides will play four times in the competition over the next couple of weeks.

We say: Belgium 1-1 Netherlands

Both managers would likely accept a draw if it was offered ahead of kickoff, and we can see the pair sharing the points on Friday night. Belgium, arguably, have the superior talent, especially in the forward areas, but Netherlands will be strong at the back, and we are predicting a stalemate here.

> How Netherlands could line up against Belgium

Belarus vs. Slovakia (Friday, 7.45pm)

Belarus and Slovakia will kick off the new UEFA Nations League campaign on Friday, when they square off in Serbia.

The visitors find themselves in League C after their relegation last term, while Belarus will again aim for promotion after just falling short last time around.

We say: Belarus 0-2 Slovakia

Slovakia boast a squad more than capable of topping their Nations League group this time around, and we back them to outclass the White Wings and get off to a winning start.

Liechtenstein vs. Moldova (Friday, 7.45pm)

Two of European football's underdogs meet as Liechtenstein welcome Moldova to the Rheinpark Stadion on Friday evening during the opening matchday of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.

The visitors have joined their hosts in the bottom tier of the competition - League D - after suffering relegation last year and will be looking to return to the third tier at the first attempt.

We say: Liechtenstein 1-1 Moldova

It is very difficult to pick a winner from a match featuring two sides who have lost 27 of their last 29 matches when combined. So, quite simply, it seems most sensible not to do so and instead to back a score draw.