Thursday's Nations League predictions including Portugal vs. Croatia

Azerbaijan vs. Sweden (Thursday, 5.00pm)

Aiming to commence their 2024 competitive itineraries on a positive footing, Azerbaijan and Sweden will meet for a UEFA Nations League C clash in Baku on Thursday evening.

Milli Komanda come into this matchup following a hard-fought friendly success in June, when the Blue and Yellow failed to earn an uplifting result.

We say: Azerbaijan 1-2 Sweden

After beating Thursday's visitors 3-0 recently, Azerbaijan will be confident of repeating the trick in the Nations League this time around.

That being said, the Blue and Yellow are a different beast now and should have enough quality in attacking areas to secure an opening-round victory.

Portugal vs. Croatia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Favourites to fill the top two spots in League A Group 1, Portugal and Croatia kick off their latest UEFA Nations League campaigns on Thursday.

The teams meet at Estadio da Luz, having shared 10 goals across two games when they last met in the competition four years ago.

We say: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Home advantage should help Portugal defeat their first visitors in the Nations League, as long as Roberto Martinez fully exploits the abundance of attacking talent available to him.

Croatia's resources are more stretched, as retirements and injuries have depleted an already shallow squad and could take their toll at Estadio da Luz.

> Martinez makes Ronaldo decision: Predicted Portugal lineup vs. Croatia

Scotland vs. Poland (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Having both picked up just one point at Euro 2024, Scotland and Poland will be targeting victory on Thursday, when they meet on the opening matchday of a new UEFA Nations League campaign.

The two nations meet at Hampden Park, ahead of tough tests against their other League A Group 1 rivals, Croatia and Portugal.

We say: Scotland 0-1 Poland

With key players injured or short of fitness - notably Napoli pair Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay - Scotland could have a tough time reversing their recent slump.

Although Poland are similarly short in certain areas, they do possess a lethal finisher and can match their hosts' work rate, so the Eagles may leave Glasgow with maximum points.

Denmark vs. Switzerland (Thursday, 7.45pm)

After both reached the knockout phase of Euro 2024, Denmark and Switzerland will kick off their quests for UEFA Nations League glory on Thursday.

The teams convene in Copenhagen, aiming to make a fast start to their League A Group 4 campaign.

We say: Denmark 1-1 Switzerland

Switzerland should start favourites, but Denmark tend to raise their game at Parken and could hold out for a point on the opening matchday.

Without a permanent manager or their star striker, the Danes may struggle to subdue an impressive Swiss side who are edging closer to Europe's elite.

Serbia vs. Spain (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Just over seven weeks on from their Euro 2024 triumph, Spain travel to the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade to face Serbia in their opening match of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League on Thursday night.

La Roja are the defending champions of the Nations League and, along with Serbia, will compete in League A Group 4 with Denmark and Switzerland.

We say: Serbia 0-2 Spain

If Spain are to pick up from where they left off and perform as well as they did at Euro 2024 on Thursday, then they should have few problems coming out on top against a weakened Serbia outfit, who are missing a few key attacking players and may find it difficult to break down a strong La Roja side.

> Rodri, Raya to start? Predicted Spain lineup vs. Serbia

Estonia vs. Slovakia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Both aiming to commence their schedules on a positive note, Estonia and Slovakia will clash for a UEFA Nations League C game in Tallinn on Thursday night.

The Blueshirts are coming into this match following a number of friendly fixtures in 2024, whilst the Falcons are still reeling from Euro 2024 heartbreak.

We say: Estonia 0-2 Slovakia

Despite recent success in friendly matches, Estonia have not performed on the competitive stage for a while and could struggle in Tallinn on Thursday night.

Slovakia competed against some of Europe's elite sides over the summer, meaning that they should have no issues easing past the Blueshirts during a Nations League opener.

Belarus vs. Bulgaria (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Belarus and Bulgaria begin their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign with a fixture at ZTE Arena - a neutral venue in Hungary - on Thursday night.

The two nations will have aspirations of gaining promotion from League C Group 3 along with Northern Ireland and Luxembourg.

We say: Belarus 1-2 Bulgaria

Belarus have got the better of Luxembourg in their previous two meetings, but Bulgaria have been hard to beat under the tutelage of Iliev and they may just do enough to edge themselves to a narrow victory on Thursday.

N. Ireland vs. Luxembourg (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Northern Ireland begin their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign against Luxembourg at Windsor Park on Thursday night.

The two nations will be seeking to gain promotion from League C Group 3 along with Bulgaria and Belarus.

We say: Northern Ireland 1-1 Luxembourg

Northern Ireland have got the better of Luxembourg in their previous two meetings, but a closer contest could be in store on Thursday. Both nations will fancy their chances of success, but we can see the spoils being shared on this occasion.

San Marino vs. Liechtenstein (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Both aiming to record rare successes in competitive action, San Marino and Liechtenstein will meet for a UEFA Nations League D clash at Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle on Thursday night.

La Serenissima are coming into this match following some signs of improvement over the past 12 months, whilst the Blue and Reds will be targeting this fixture as one in which to collect maximum points.

We say: San Marino 1-1 Liechtenstein

With two of European football's international minnows meeting in Serravalle on Thursday night, we are expecting a hard-fought clash at Stadio Olimpico.

San Marino and Liechtenstein will both fancy their chances of scoring rare competitive goals, although we do not believe either side will have enough to claim maximum points.