Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Saturday's Nations League predictions including Turkey vs. Wales

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 November 2024, 06:00
Azerbaijan vs. Estonia (Saturday, 2.00pm)

Embroiled in a fight against relegation to the UEFA Nations League's lowest level, Azerbaijan and Estonia will clash in Qabala on Saturday afternoon.

Sitting third in League C Group 1, the Estonians will seal survival if they avoid defeat; while their hosts must win to defy the drop into League D.

We say: Azerbaijan 2-1 Estonia

A long-awaited win could be on the cards for Azerbaijan, as they have the benefit of home advantage and Estonia do not tend to travel well.

Neither side is watertight in defence, so goals are surely guaranteed at Qabala City Stadium, where the hosts can keep hopes of League C survival alive.

Georgia vs. Ukraine (Saturday, 5.00pm)

As closely contested League B Group 1 nears its conclusion, promotion - and relegation - rivals Georgia and Ukraine will meet in Batumi on Saturday evening.

Over the next few days, both sides could either step up to the UEFA Nations League's top tier or drop down to League C, after they experienced contrasting fortunes last month.

We say: Georgia 2-1 Ukraine

Two well-matched teams could be separated by one goal again, but home advantage should help Georgia over the line to victory, knocking Ukraine out of the promotion race.

The hosts may have an ageing defence, but Willy Sagnol has forged them into a solid team and their ability to counter-attack is renowned.

Montenegro vs. Iceland (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Montenegro welcome Iceland to Stadion Kraj Bistrice in Niksic for their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening.

Both nations are at risk of suffering relegation to League C and they meet again just over two months on from Strakarnir okkar beating the Brave Falcons 2-0 in Reykjavik.

We say: Montenegro 1-1 Iceland

Montenegro will be out for revenge against Iceland and can ill-afford anything but a victory if they wish to avoid relegation to League C. However, we feel that the visitors will frustrate the hosts and come away with at least a share of the spoils.

Turkey vs. Wales (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Wales travel to the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri to face Turkey in their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening.

Neither nations could be separated when they last met in September as they played out a goalless stalemate in Cardiff on matchday one.

We say: Turkey 2-1 Wales

Both nations will back themselves to come away with a positive result from Saturday's contest and they are aware of how important securing maximum points is in their quest to finish top of their group.

Another tight affair, like the reverse fixture, cannot be ruled out, but we can see the two teams scoring in this one and Turkey just edging it on home soil.

Andorra vs. Moldova (Saturday, 5.00pm)

Moldova can boost their hopes of securing promotion from League D Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League when they face fellow European minnows Andorra at Estadi Nacional on Saturday.

These two nations are among the six-lowest ranked teams in Europe, with Moldova placed 150th in the FIFA World Rankings and 20 positions higher than Andorra (170th).

We say: Andorra 0-1 Moldova

Fixtures between two European minnows tend to be low-scoring affairs and another is set to be in store on Saturday, although Moldova will be regarded as slight favourites and will back themselves to claim a slender victory to strengthen their hopes of promotion to League C.

Germany vs. Bosnia H'vina (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Needing just a point to all but guarantee a first-placed finish in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, Germany welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Europa-Park Stadion in Freiburg on Saturday.

Julian Nagelsmann's side have already assured themselves of a spot in the quarter-finals, while their visitors are not completely out of contention despite an appalling set of results so far.

We say: Germany 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

On Bosnian soil, the Golden Lilies gave Germany a decent run for their money and are now squaring up to a Mannschaft side whom Nagelsmann has conceded are nursing some bumps and bruises.

Nevertheless, Saturday's hosts should comfortably overwhelm their one-point visitors in a comprehensive victory, which would seal both sides' fates before the final matchday.

> Key defender banned, will Ortega start? Predicted Germany XI against Bosnia

Netherlands vs. Hungary (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Locked together on five points in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands and Hungary meet on Saturday in a winner-takes-all clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Following a 1-1 draw between the two nations in October, the victor of the Amsterdam battle - if there is one - will guarantee a place in the quarter-finals alongside already-qualified Germany.

We say: Netherlands 1-0 Hungary

Saturday's intriguing battle ought to be as close as the standings suggest it will be, especially as the Netherlands are missing a chief creator in Simons who can unlock the most rigid of defences.

Hungary's best hope will surely be to hit Koeman's men on the counter, but the Dutch should break through the rearguard-heavy Magyars at least once before shutting up shop to nab a coveted quarter-final place.

> Will De Jong play after injury scare? Predicted Netherlands XI against Hungary

Albania vs. Czech Republic (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Both vying for promotion to the UEFA Nations League's top tier, Albania and League B Group 1 leaders Czech Republic will lock horns on Saturday evening.

The Czechs travel to Tirana having beaten their Albanian counterparts in Prague last month, taking them one point clear at the top with two rounds remaining.

We say: Albania 1-2 Czech Republic

In a finely balanced group, there is little to choose between all four nations, but Czech Republic have momentum on their side and may claim top spot.

Both teams are missing integral defenders, which might aid either attack, and several goals should be assured in Tirana.

Sweden vs. Slovakia (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Locked together at the top of League C Group 1 with two games to play, Sweden and Slovakia will battle it out to take the outright lead when they meet on Saturday evening.

Both unbeaten so far, following a 2-2 draw in last month's reverse fixture, either side will secure automatic promotion by beating the other in Solna.

We say: Sweden 3-2 Slovakia

Two attack-minded teams should share a few more goals this weekend, following their 2-2 draw in Slovakia last month, but Sweden are set to come out on top.

The hosts will simply have too much firepower for their visitors to handle - even if the Swedish defence still looks suspect.

Top News

23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Boxing Day when they play host to local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Denis Suarez wasn't the player Arsenal fans wanted to sign - but he's the footballer supporters have a hard time in forgetting. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be aiming to avoid four straight defeats across all competitions when they welcome Everton to the Etihad in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After spending Christmas Day in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur endeavour to atone for recent failings when they travel to Nottingham Forest for a Boxing Day battle. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After celebrating Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table, Liverpool get back to business on Boxing Day, when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hatayspor vs. Adana Demirspor (Monday, 5.00pm) The battle of the bottom feeders in the Turkish Super Lig unfolds on Monday as Hatayspor host Adana Demirspor at the Mersin Stadyumu. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica vs. Estoril (Monday, 6.45pm) Separated by 10 places in the Primeira Liga table before gameweek 15, second-placed Benfica are clear favourites to outdo Estoril Praia at Estadio da Luz on Monday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fiorentina vs. Udinese (Monday, 5.30pm) After their incredible success streak was finally brought to an end last week, Fiorentina will aim to start another winning run on Monday, when they meet Udinese. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Yemen and Saudi Arabia will celebrate Christmas Day by facing each other on matchday two of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Wednesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Yemen and Saudi Arabia will celebrate Christmas Day by facing each other on matchday two of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Wednesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk First place in Group B of the Arabian Gulf Cup will be at stake on Wednesday as Bahrain and Iraq celebrate Christmas Day at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United transfer target Randal Kolo Muani is very likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window, according to reports. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly set their sights on West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus, with Pep Guardiola keen to strengthen his struggling squad. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Arsenal for the signature of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the summer of 2025.