NATIONS LEAGUE: The Ultra previews FRANCE v ITALY and WALES v TURKEY both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
FRANCE V ITALY
7.45pm The Nations League continues on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE with two cracking fixtures on Friday night. France v Italy is no doubt the headline fixture, but we also have a fascinating game between Wales and Turkey as well. We kick off the evening in Group A2 as France host Italy. This should be an excellent Group as Belgium are involved too, and you’d have to feel sorry for Israel who look a little out of their depth! As I said in my preview of the games on Thursday, the Nations League probably isn’t as vital to the top sides like France because they are certain to qualify for the Euros – you could actually make the case that the Wales v Turkey game is more important tonight because they might need the playoff spot based on their finishing position. However, Italy have missed enough major tournaments recently to suggest they need everything they can get at the moment – and you also have to factor in that both these sides could actually go on and win the competition. It will be interesting to see how France approach the Nations League this time around – they had a blowout in 2022/23 and nearly got relegated. They finished one point ahead of Austria with just one win in a Group with Croatia and Denmark in it as well. Obviously they had all their focus on Euro 2024!
Italy took the Nations League very seriously last time, and topped their Group which involved Hungary, Germany and England – the shock there was seeing England relegated. Much like France, they probably had a lot of focus on Euro 2024 where they made the Final (thanks to an easy draw too). Both sides had a very disappointing Euro 2024 – especially Italy who went out at the Last 16 stage without much of a fight against Switzerland. France come into the game as the odds on 1.7 with Italy 5.6 and the draw is 4.1 at the time of writing. Obviously we have two top sides here, and while it will be a very interesting fixture – I do feel it’s one for small stakes. France didn’t take the last Nations League very seriously in my opinion, and I really don’t have much confidence in Italy at the moment. This has to be the worse Italian squad for years; and although they are still a decent side, they are miles off the top European sides – like France for example. I would lean towards France at 1.7, but I feel Under 2.5 goals offers more value at 1.97. Italy are going to come to defend and be very negative, and France really struggled to create chances at Euro 2024. We could have a very cagey affair.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Under 2.5 goals at 1.97 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/FraIta
WALES V TURKEY
7.45pm We move over to Group B4 to finish Friday night for a fascinating clash between Wales and Turkey. As I said above, given the ranking system in qualifying you could easily argue this is the biggest fixture of the night. Wales were relegated from an A Group with just one point in the last Nations League, but thanks to their placing in an A Group they advanced to the Euro 2024 playoffs which they needed because they finished out of the top two in their qualifying Group. They should have made it to Euro 2024 as well to be honest but got beaten on penalties against Poland. The Nations League is massive for sides like Wales and Turkey to give them that playoff option if they miss out on the top two in qualifying, and you know they are always going to be up against it for those spots. These two sides will know each other well having faced each other in Euro 2024 qualifying. Turkey topped the Group with Croatia behind them and then Wales next. Everyone would have expected Croatia to run away with that Group but it wasn’t the case. Turkey went on to have a good Euro 2024; they finished second behind Portugal in their Group and made it to the Quarter-Finals where they lost to the Netherlands.
Turkey were one of the most entertaining sides to watch at Euro 2024, and it will be interesting to see how the tactics play out here. Wales have struggled to create decent chances recently – pretty much since Gareth Bale retired! They did have a very tough Nations League Group, but that continued in Euro 2024 qualifying too. Turkey had Over 2.5 goals is every one of their Euro 2024 games, and away from home they might make this game more open than usual. We have an exceptionally open betting heat with Turkey at the marginal favourites at 2.7, Wales 2.84 and the draw is 3.35 at the time of writing. I know Wales have been quite negative but I was surprised by the goal markets here. Over 2.5 goals is 2.28 and Both Teams To Score is 1.95. Both prices look nice value to me – Turkey play a very open game, and if anything I’d be more worried about Wales getting on the score sheet! I have Both Teams To Score much shorter, and that looks the best value position at 1.95.
The Ultra Says:
Two points win Both Teams To Score at 1.95 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/WalTrk
