Nations League preview: Down to the final four

The Nations League returns with four of the world’s best going head-to-head for a place in Sunday’s grand final in the San Siro but who will come out on top this time round?

Italy vs Spain

The champions of Europe in Italy take on the youthful side of Spain in the first of two UEFA Nations League semi-finals this week but who will book their spot in the final on Sunday?

Spain are looking to take revenge against Italy who defeated them in the semi-finals of this summer’s European Championships on penalties. Luis Enrique’s side took top spot in their Group to advance to the final four but their record against Italy is not the best heading into this fixture. Spain head into Wednesday’s battle having won just one of their last five against Italy in all competitions and amazingly, La Roja have not won this fixture in Italy since 1971. Due to this record, it is understandable that they head into this fixture as 23/10 underdogs.

Italy went six games unbeaten in their group to take their spot in the final four of the Nations League and Roberto Mancini’s side should be ready to conquer yet another competition following on from this summer’s success. This Italian side are looking to go a 38th game in a row without defeat in all competitions since losing 1-0 to Portugal in the Nations League three years ago. Roberto Mancini’s side are 5/4 favourites heading into the fixture.

Belgium vs France

Thursday evening sees the current world number ones in Belgium take on reigning champions of the world in France in the second semi-final of this year’s Nations League.

Belgium had a disappointing summer being knocked out by Italy in the quarter-finals of the European Championships but they have bounced back well since in their World Cup qualifiers. Belgium have defeated Estonia, Czech-Republic and Belarus whilst scoring nine times and conceding twice in these three games. Belgium are 21/10 underdogs heading into this fixture but they will be hoping that main man Romelu Lukaku will continue to impress having scored in his last four games for his country. He is 13/10 to score anytime.

France had a disastrous European Championships after being knocked out in the Round of 16 by Switzerland and they have not kicked into form yet since they left the competition. They have drawn 1-1 to both Bosnia and Ukraine in their World Cup Qualifiers and a tough test against the world’s best is not what Didier Deschamps and his side would have wanted. France are priced at 11/8 to defeat the Red Devils.

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