UEFA Nations League Predictions And Betting Tips for Thursday 20th March

The UEFA Nations League reaches the quarter-final stage on Thursday, with eight teams left to battle it out over two legs for a spot in the semi-finals in June.

@Footy_Tipster gives his best predictions ahead of this round of fixtures in the UEFA Nations League..

Croatia welcome the 2021 UNL winners France to the Stadion Poljud in Split, whilst the 2019 winners Portugal travel to Copenhagen to face Denmark. Elsewhere, we should be in for an entertaining encounter between Italy and Germany at the San Siro, whilst the Netherlands welcome the current European & UNL champions Spain to Rotterdam.

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Now, let’s take a closer look at some betting angles for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League fixtures:

Croatia v France – Thursday, 7.45pm

• Croatia will be hoping to defy the odds and go one step closer this year, having come runners-up in the UNL 2023 campaign, losing out to Spain on penalties.
• Zlatko Dalić’s side picked up eight points in Group 1 (W2, D2, L2) and secured a spot in the last eight by a single point ahead of Scotland.
• Croatia have beaten France just one in their last ten meetings going back to 1998, although that victory did come in the last meeting between these two sides 3 years ago.
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• France head to Croatia unbeaten in their last five games, they topped Group 2 by the finest of margins having finished on the same points as Italy.
• Didier Deschamps will be looking to bring success back to France, having not won anything for four years after a successful spell which provided FIFA World Cup and UEFA Nations League glory.
• Both Teams have scored in eight of the last eleven UNL games with Croatia as the home side.

Prediction: Both Teams To Score & France To Win, Croatia 1-2 France.

Denmark v Portugal – Thursday, 7.45pm

• Denmark made the perfect start in Group 4 of the UNL back in September with consecutive victories against Switzerland and Serbia.
• Since then, the Danes have found it difficult, without a win in their following four outings, although they’ll take some confidence in the fact both of those victories did come on home soil.
• These two sides haven’t met since 2015 but history is against Denmark, having won just one of their last six games against Portugal.
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• Portugal topped Group 1 of the UNL having put together six games without defeat, with four victories within those six.
• A victory over two legs for Roberto Martinez’ side would secure a semi-final spot for the first time since the Lusos won this competition back in 2019.
• We could see a few goals in Copenhagen on Thursday, nine of the last eleven meetings between these two sides going back to 1977 have seen both teams on the scoresheet. 

Prediction: Both Teams To Score & Portugal To Win, Denmark 1-2 Portugal.

Italy v Germany – Thursday, 7.45pm

• After a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where they won just one game, Italy turned things around in the UEFA Nations League group stage (W4, D1, L1).
• Luciano Spalletti will be hoping to make their home advantage count, they’ve lost just one of their last seven games in Italy, although that did come at this very stadium (San Siro) in their last outing against France.
• Italy’s record against Germany isn’t great, with just one win in their last nine meetings over the years, although six of those did end in a stalemate.
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• Since losing late in extra-time against eventual winners Spain at the European Championship’s back in the summer, Germany are yet to suffer a defeat.
• Julian Nagelsmann’s side topped Group 3 with ease, four victories and two draws from their six games was enough to give them a five point gap.
• Germany have only won two of their thirteen trips to Italy over the years, we could be in for another stalemate here in Milan.

Prediction: Draw, Italy 1-1 Germany.

Netherlands v Spain – Thursday, 7.45pm

• The Netherlands will be hoping to secure their first trophy since their success at the 1988 European Championships, they’ve been runners up in this competition (2019) before finishing fourth in 2023.
• Ronald Koeman’s side have lost just once since that dramatic defeat to England in the Euros semi-final, they finished second in Group 3, albeit having won just two of their six games.
• The Flying Dutchmen have a strong record against Spain, they’ve not lost any of their last seven meetings, winning five of those seven in the process.
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• There’s no denying that Spain are at the top of their game right now, current holders of the European Championship’s and the UEFA Nations League, they are flying under Luis de la Fuente.
• Luis de la Fuente has taken charge of this Spain side twenty-seven times since his arrival in March 2023, they’ve lost just two games, whilst they are currently unbeaten in their last sixteen outings in all competitions. 
• Spain have seen four of their last five game produce at least three goals, whilst seven of the last ten games for the Netherlands have produced the same.

Prediction: Both Teams To Score & Draw, Netherlands 2-2 Spain.