Tuesday's Nations League predictions including England vs. Finland

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 September 2024, 05:00
Latvia vs. Faroe Islands (Tuesday, 5.00pm)

Third travels to fourth in Tuesday's UEFA Nations League contest at the Skonto Stadium in Riga, where Latvia host the Faroe Islands in League C Group 4.

Paolo Nicolato's team were thumped 4-1 by Armenia in their inaugural match of the 2024-25 edition, while their visitors held North Macedonia to a 1-1 draw in a tale of two penalties.

We say: Latvia 1-0 Faroe Islands

While the Faroe Islands only lost their advantage on Saturday due to a cheap penalty, they were under the cosh for large periods and could have easily been put to the sword on another day.

Facing a hostile atmosphere in Riga, we cannot picture the visitors avenging their Baltic Cup loss to Latvia, who may very well come up trumps by just the one goal once more.

Hungary vs. Bosnia H'vina (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Both hit for five in their opening UEFA Nations League fixture, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet in Budapest on Tuesday evening, seeking their first points in League A Group 3.

While the hosts were thumped by Germany, their visitors lost an eventful seven-goal contest with the Netherlands.

We say: Hungary 2-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Hungary may have stumbled against tough opposition - losing twice to Germany and once to Switzerland since the start of the Euros - but they are hard to beat on home turf and should bounce straight back from Saturday's defeat.

As Bosnia are on a long losing streak, the hosts will take three precious points in their bid to avoid automatic relegation from League A.

Netherlands vs. Germany (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Two old foes meet in the second game of their UEFA Nations League campaigns on Tuesday, as the Netherlands welcome Germany to Johan Cruijff Arena.

Both sides smashed five past their opponents on the opening matchday, so they will now battle it out for top spot in League A Group 3.

We say: Netherlands 2-2 Germany

Given recent history and their free-scoring starts to this Nations League campaign, the Netherlands and Germany are set to share a few goals on Tuesday night.

Both teams have some bright attacking talent, while doubts remain about either side's defence, so it should be an entertaining encounter between Group 3's top two.

> Havertz heads star-studded attack: Predicted Germany lineup vs. Netherlands

> Koeman to keep faith with Zirkzee? Predicted Netherlands lineup vs. Germany

Albania vs. Georgia (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Albania are set to host Georgia in each side's second UEFA Nations League B game on Tuesday at Air Albania Stadium.

The home side are in second place in Group 1 with three points after they won 2-1 against Ukraine on September 7, while the visitors are first with three points after they beat the Czech Republic 4-1 on the same date.

We say: Albania 1-2 Georgia

Given Georgia's impressive counter-attacking display against the Czech Republic, it would not be surprising if they opted for a similar strategy against Albania and found success.

However, the visitors have been poor away from home of late, and the hosts could cause difficulty for their opponents on Tuesday.

Czech Republic vs. Ukraine (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

The Fortuna Arena in Prague plays host to an early UEFA Nations League basement battle on Tuesday evening, when the Czech Republic pit their wits against Ukraine in League B Group 1.

Ivan Hasek's troops were embarrassed 4-1 by Georgia in their opening assignment, while their visitors failed to cling onto a one-goal lead against Albania, losing 2-1.

We say: Czech Republic 1-2 Ukraine

Goals at both ends of the pitch have been a guarantee whenever the Czechs have entered the field in 2024, but the manner of their defensive capitulation in Georgia was alarming.

Even without two pivotal offensive players in Dovbyk and Mudryk, Ukraine have the attacking nous to expose their hosts' shortcomings at the back and have our vote to make it second time lucky, even if a clean sheet also eludes them.

England vs. Finland (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

After enjoying a perfect start to life in the England chair, Lee Carsley's Wembley inauguration takes place on Tuesday evening, when the Three Lions host Finland in their second UEFA Nations League encounter of the month.

Tuesday's hosts kicked off the post-Gareth Southgate era with a 2-0 beating of the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, while their Scandinavian foes were crushed 3-0 by Greece to fall to the bottom of the pile.

We say: England 3-0 Finland

Had Hradecky not made his horror mistake on Saturday evening, Finland may not have experienced such a chastening beatdown at the hands of the Greeks, but Kanerva's men could be condemned to an identical hammering here.

England could and probably should have scored more in Dublin, but we have faith in the Three Lions to be that little bit more ruthless at Wembley as Carsley makes it two for two.

> One hundred up for Harry Kane: England predicted XI against Finland

Rep. Ireland vs. Greece (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Republic of Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium three days after a humbling defeat to England to face Greece in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night.

In Heimir Hallgrimsson's first game in charge, Ireland were outplayed by their neighbours from across the Irish Sea and are already playing catch up in Group B2.

We say: Republic of Ireland 0-1 Greece

If Greece want any chance of competing with England for promotion, home and away wins against both Ireland and Finland are likely going to be necessary.

The visitors should come in as slight favourites given their impressive win on Saturday and a strong recent record against Ireland, while the hosts will need to pick themselves up after an underwhelming display against England.

N. Macedonia vs. Armenia (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

North Macedonia are set to host Armenia in the UEFA Nations League C on Tuesday at Tose Proeski Arena in each side's second game of the 2024-25 iteration of the tournament.

The home side are in second place in Group 1 with one point after they drew 1-1 with Faroe Islands on September 7, while the visitors are first with three points after they beat Latvia 4-1 on the same date.

We say: North Macedonia 1-3 Armenia

Although Armenia have been poor away from home for some time, they could take advantage of North Macedonia if they are as defensively susceptible on Tuesday as they were against Faroe Islands.

It would not be surprising if Armenia were to continue their winning form considering their goalscoring exploits in their last two games.

Andorra vs. Malta (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Andorra get their UEFA Nations League campaign underway on Tuesday when they host Malta in a League D encounter.

Malta played their first match of the current edition on Saturday night, falling to defeat away in Moldova.

We say: Andorra 0-0 Malta

On paper, this is Andorra's best chance of claiming a victory in the section, but they are not in the best of shape after a defeat to Gibraltar last week and 18 matches without a win.

Likewise, Malta suffered a disappointing loss in Moldova at the weekend, creating next to nothing in attack, as these two sides could cancel each other out in a low-quality encounter.

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