Thursday's Nations League predictions including Switzerland vs. Spain

Portugal vs. Czech Republic (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Portugal and the Czech Republic will both endeavour to continue their unbeaten starts to the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League in Thursday's League A Group 2 encounter in Lisbon.

Fernando Santos's side put four unanswered goals past Switzerland last time out, while their visitors impressively held Spain to a 2-2 stalemate.

We say: Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic

The aggressive and positive approach the Czech Republic deployed against Spain should work to similar effect against a fatigued Portugal side, especially with Santos's options in the heart of defence being somewhat limited.

However, the hosts were in magnificent attacking form themselves against Switzerland, and even with a number of changes in tow, we can only picture Santos's side picking up maximum points.

> How Portugal could line up against the Czech Republic

Switzerland vs. Spain (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Switzerland and Spain will both endeavour to end their winless starts to the UEFA Nations League campaign in Thursday's League A Group 2 clash in Geneva.

The hosts were thumped 4-0 by Portugal in their most recent contest, while La Roja left it late to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic.

We say: Switzerland 0-2 Spain

While Spain were left disappointed with their result against the Czech Republic, their starting XI will have a more familiar feel to it this time around, which is more than can be said for their hosts.

Schar's suspension only adds to Yakin's defensive dilemma while his side struggle for inspiration in all areas of the field, and we can only envisage La Roja picking up their first victory of the group in comfortable fashion.

> How Spain could line up against Switzerland

Norway vs. Slovenia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

At opposite ends of their early UEFA Nations League table, group leaders Norway welcome last-placed Slovenia to Oslo on Thursday night.

While the Norwegians posted a second successive League B Group 4 win by beating their Nordic neighbours Sweden on Sunday, the visitors remain without a point after a crushing defeat in Belgrade.

We say: Norway 2-1 Slovenia

The odds on Norwary starting their campaign with three straight wins would have been fairly long before the action kicked off last week, but having seen off stronger challengers, they will surely not slip up at home.

As Slovenia are vulnerable defensively, while the hosts have conceded just once in their last four matches, the Lions are set to roar ahead at the top of a tough group before Sweden come to town on Sunday.

Sweden vs. Serbia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Having experienced mixed fortunes in the UEFA Nations League so far this summer, both Sweden and Serbia will be pursuing three points on Thursday, when they meet in Stockholm.

The two sides have been beaten by early League B Group 4 leaders Norway already, after the Swedes lost to their Nordic neighbours on home soil last weekend.

We say: Sweden 2-2 Serbia

As Norway host Slovenia and could feasibly pull clear at the top of Group 4, both sides will be targeting victory, and that could make for a more open game than expected.

With both Dusan Vlahovic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic missing from the stage, others will have the chance to shine, and Serbia still have enough firepower to take at least a point from perhaps their toughest fixture on paper.

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

Northern Ireland will travel to the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Prishtina for their UEFA Nations League encounter against Kosovo on Thursday night.

The two nations, who will be facing each other for the very first time, are separated by 53 places in the FIFA world rankings, with Kosovo positioned in 107th while Northern Ireland are ranked 54th.

We say: Kosovo 1-1 Northern Ireland

A closely-fought low-scoring contest is set to be on the cards on Thursday, and while the two nations will both fancy their chances of claiming all three points, we can see the spoils being shared on this occasion.

Gibraltar vs. Bulgaria (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Bulgaria square off against Gibraltar in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday evening knowing that only a win will do if they want to stay in the hunt for promotion from Group C4.

At a time when the visitors have recorded just one point from their opening double-header, Gibraltar have started their campaign with two defeats.

We say: Gibraltar 0-2 Bulgaria

All things considered, goals and points are going to be in short supply for Gibraltar this campaign, and we expect that to continue on Thursday. Bulgaria are hardly in good form themselves, but the former World Cup participants should have enough quality to secure a comfortable win.

N. Macedonia vs. Georgia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

North Macedonia and Georgia meet in Skopje on Thursday evening having enjoyed a strong start to their UEFA Nations League campaign.

While the home side have accumulated four points from two matches in Group C4, the visitors are in first place after two dominant wins over the same opponents.

We say: North Macedonia 1-1 Georgia

This has all the makings of a fixture which could potentially decide the group further down the line, resulting in smaller margins for error. Although North Macedonia will hope to make the most of home advantage, Georgia have been excellent of late and should have enough belief to earn a share of the spoils.

Greece vs. Cyprus (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Greece and Cyprus will go head to head at the Panthessaliko Stadio in Volos for their UEFA Nations League encounter in League C Group 2 on Thursday night.

The hosts have only lost one of their last six home games in the Nations League, while the visitors have failed to win on the road in seven attempts since the competition began four years ago.

We say: Greece 2-0 Cyprus

Greece will understandably be the favourites to claim maximum points on Thursday and victory would put them in a strong position to secure promotion from League C.

Cyprus have struggled to pose a threat in front of goal so far this campaign and considering Greece's defensive resilience of late, we can see the hosts recording a routine win along with a clean sheet.

Malta vs. Estonia (Thursday, 7.45pm)

Having both made winning starts to the UEFA Nations League campaign, Malta and Estonia will do battle in each of their second games on Thursday.

The two sides began with victories over San Marino and will fight to take control of top spot in League D2.

We say: Malta 1-1 Estonia

We put these two sides on a relatively level playing field and struggle to pick a winner in what should be a tight encounter, instead predicting them to cancel one another out.