As June’s Nations League mini tournament rolls on in the coming days, Matchday 2 takes place between Sunday and Wednesday with another slate of headline acts.
Though perhaps not heavyweight in the sense of the word, Sunday’s late game in Prague between Czech Republic and Spain catches the eye. With the hosts victorious in MD1 against Switzerland side, the Czechs currently sit top of Group B in the top tier and look to have developed a real attacking edge. For this game, two anytime scorer boosts stand out, with Pablo Sarabia available at 5/2 with PaddyPower, whilst Jan Kutchta – who netted last time out – 9/2 with SkyBet.
Sunday evening also sees a tasty Scandinavian affair between Sweden and Norway in Stockholm. With all eyes on new Manchester City man Erling Braut Haaland, the Norwegian hitman scored away to Serbia last Thursday night but may find the going tougher here against the stubborn Swedes. Indeed, it might be the in-form Dejan Kulusevski to watch instead with another boost special at 15/2 for the prospective Spurs winger to net first. The other attractive route could be set-pieces and with both teams set to go the aerial route, 5+ corners each team at 11/4 is equally amenable. Both boosts with Betfair and PaddyPower.
Attention will then turn to Tuesday night in Munich as the flame of one of football’s biggest rivalries is reignited, with Germany entertaining England at the Allianz Arena. Following the Three Lions’ surprise defeat in Budapest on Saturday, Gareth Southgate will be keen to see his side bounce back and in what better fashion than against their old foes.
The last time the two sides met in the last 16 of Euro 2020, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling were both on the scoresheet and a repeat can be had in Bavaria at 10/1 with SkyBet but on the weekend’s form that looks a stretch. Hansi Flick’s men could inflict successive defeats on England and avenge their Wembley loss 12 months ago meanwhile and at 7/5 with Coral, Ladbrokes and Bet365, an England loss could be cushioned with a decent pay-out.
Over in Cesena at the same time, Italy will look for their first home win in four against Hungary. As the Azzurri continue to look a shell of the same European Championship-winning side from last summer, an improved performance against Die Mannschaft in MD2 will have lifted a bruised nation. The Mighty Magyars themselves will be buoyed following a first win over England since the World Cup in Chile of 1962 and might again look to exploit Italian defensive issues here.
Though anything other than a home win would be another upset, Hungary could easily break down the Italian backline and for BTTS, Betfair’s shortened 17/12 should be looked at.
Finally to round off MD2 on Wednesday, Belgium’s 4-0 home loss to neighbours the Netherlands was something of an eyeopener and though the chance for immediate redemption stands before them versus Poland, their visiting opposition will be looking to this as a game they can get something from.
The Red Devils, of course, will be bent on showing why they are the number two ranked side in the world, so over 2.5 home goals to be scored at 11/4 with Betfair and UniBet may be worth consideration. On the flip side, the Poles will have seen the waning power of Belgium in their last game and to take a point from Brussels would be looked upon as a huge step forward in their own progress. The draw at 3/1 with Betfred might be very shrewd investment come full time.
