In addition, Poland hope to get one over European champions Portugal, while Russia’s good form could continue against Sweden
The UEFA Nations League returns this week with some tense and important fixtures in the world of international football in the Old Continent. Scotland look to continue their perfect start to the new tournament away to an out of sorts Israel side, while Poland hope to recover against Portugal and Russia keep riding their World Cup wave.
First things first
Before you go any further, head on overt to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the UEFA Nations League already underway, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, Scotland will look to build on their win against Albania when they travel to take on Israel this coming Thursday night (11 October). Following three losses in a row, the Tartan Army got back on track with a comfortable 2-0 win last time out and will hope to build on that momentum.
Israel, meanwhile, are looking a mess, having lost seven of their last eight matches and their last four on the bounce. They have also lost all three of their previous meetings with Scotland and given their recent run of results that statistic is unlikely to improve after this match.
Nevertheless, with home advantage it is Israel who come into this match as the favourites to take the points. You can more than double your money by backing Israel to pick up the win at a price of 2.45, with Scotland at 3.00 to make it two wins from two in the tournament – a draw is only slightly higher, at 3.10, according to Oddsshark.
And given Israel’s dreadful form we are expecting Scotland to just nick this. A 1-0 win for the visitors is priced at 7.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$37.50 pay out.
Poland need to rediscover morale against Portugal
With just one win in their last five outings, Poland host Portugal in desperate need of three points and a timely morale boost. Portugal, who won Euro 2016, come into this fixture on the back of just one defeat in their last nine outings, and they will fancy their chances of taking the points in this one.
The last three meetings between these two teams have ended in a stalemate after 90 minutes, but we are expecting the visitors to walk away triumphant on this occasion. The betting is tight admittedly, and you can more than double your money by backing Portugal to win at 2.55, with Poland only slightly higher at 2.80 – a draw would look to be the least likely result of all, and is priced accordingly at 3.20.
A 2-1 win for Portugal is priced competitively at 10.00, thereby offering a ten-fold return on any investment. In addition, you could more than double your money by backing over 2.5 goals in the game at 2.30, with both teams to score priced at 1.90.
Russia to continue fine form against Sweden
And finally, World Cup hosts Russia welcome Sweden as they continue riding the wave of their World Cup success. The Russians made a winning start to the UEFA Nations League with victory over Turkey, and they thrashed the Czech Republic 5-1 in a friendly game.
Sweden, by way of comparison, have now lost three games in a row and are struggling for form. This is not an ideal game for them at this time, with three points a must.
However, it is hosts Russia who come in as the favourites to make it three wins in a row following defeat to Croatia at the World Cup. You can double your money by backing Russia at a price of 2.00, with Sweden all the way out at 4.20 to pick up a much needed victory on the road – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.10.
And we are expecting home side Russia to continue their recent winning streak. A comfortable, 2-0 win for the home side is priced at 8.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$42.50 pay out.
You could also more than triple your money by backing Russia to win to nil (without Sweden scoring a goal) at a price of 3.10. There is another chance to more than triple your investment by backing the home side to score in both halves, at 3.40, just as they did in that 5-1 win over the Czech Republic last month.
UEFA Nations League fixtures:
Thursday, 11 October
(2.80) Faroe Islands x Azerbaijan (2.75); draw (2.87)
(2.45) Israel x Scotland (3.00); draw (3.10)
(1.28) Kosovo x Malta (11.00); draw (5.00)
(7.50) Lithuania x Romania (1.50); draw (3.75)
(4.75) Montenegro x Serbia (1.83); draw (3.25)
(2.80) Poland x Portugal (2.55); draw (3.20)
(2.00) Russia x Sweden (4.20); draw (3.10)