NATIONS LEAGUE: The Ultra previews SCOTLAND v POLAND and NORTHERN IRELAND v LUXEMBOURG both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
SCOTLAND V POLAND
7.45pm The Nations League is back on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE, and we have some cracking fixtures over the next few days. Although we do have plenty of enjoyable fixtures to look forward to, it does feel like we have only just started the domestic season and this International break has come up very quickly. This is the fourth Nations League, and there will be some changes – not as dramatic as the changes we saw in the Champions League, but interesting ones none the less. We will have Quarter-Finals for the winner; and we’ll also have promotion plus relegation playoffs. We kick off the action with Scotland hosting Poland in Group A1. Scotland have been a roaring success in the Nations League, but obviously they are going to struggle in an A Group. We’ve saw Wales bounce up and down. The thing about the Nations League is its massive for sides like Scotland because it really does give them more chance of qualifying for the Euros – most sides that would never qualify get a chance at the Playoffs given their finishing position or ranking here. For the top sides who always qualify – it’s less important. We’ve seen England and France have blow out season; it doesn’t make much difference for them – but for those mid-range sides it’s been a huge window for them to better themselves.
It will be very interesting to see how these two get on – you’d have to say that they are very likely to take the bottom two spots with Portugal and Croatia in Group A1. This will likely be a massive fixture for avoiding straight relegation into a B Group; but strange things do happen in the Nations League! We have an open betting heat, but Scotland come into the game as favourites with home advantage. Scotland are 2.48 with Poland 3.3 and the draw is also 3.3 at the time of writing. Both sides had a very poor Euro 2024 as they both finished bottom of their Group with one point. Poland had an exceptionally difficult Group with Austria, France and Netherlands but they have been on a decline for a while now in fairness. They didn’t even finish in the automatic qualifying spots and needed to go through the playoffs thanks to this tournament. Scotland have made a lot of improvement lately, and they have become very strong at home – they even beat Spain 2-0 here in Euro 2024 qualifying. I do fancy Scotland to get the job done, but I’d like to have the draw on our side too so the Poland lay is a very nice option here.
The Ultra Says:
Three points lay (liability) Poland to beat Scotland at 3.3 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/ScoPol
NORTHERN IRELAND V LUXEMBOURG
7.45pm Next we move to Group C3 as Northern Ireland host Luxembourg. Northern Ireland have consistently struggled in the Nations League – they actually went through the first two editions without a single win. There was no relegation the first year in 2018/29, then they got relegated from a B Group in 2020/21 – they actually came close to finishing bottom of a C Group in 2022/23 too! They finished level on points with Cyprus behind Greece and Kosovo. Northern Ireland went through a few years when they were exceptionally strong at home, and they built a solid foundation at the back, but they have been quite poor recently. They only finished ahead of San Marino in Euro 2024 qualifying – they were nine points behind Finland and Kazakhstan who were out of the top two spots in that Group too. It will be interesting to see how they get on now in a Group with Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Belarus. Luxembourg are improving in my opinion – they finished two points behind Turkey in the last Nations League and then they played very well in Euro 2024 qualifying too finishing third behind Portugal and Slovakia. It would be very embarrassing if Northern Ireland were relegated again.
Collecting points at home will be very important from that point of view – it’s hard to expect them to be topping this Group given they’ve only managed one win in three Nations Leagues so far! With home advantage, they could into the game as favourites. Northern Ireland are trading 2.12 with Luxembourg 4.2 and the draw is 3.4 at the time of writing. I wouldn’t be rushing to back Northern Ireland as short as 2.12 given their record, but they do have an excellent chance here. Luxembourg are without a few of their key players, and we all know that Northern Ireland are a much better side with home advantage. I would lean towards a home win here, but I do feel that there isn’t any value at 2.12 – it’s hard to make the case that Northern Ireland should be odds on for example. I expect a tight and cagey affair here – Northern Ireland don’t create many chances and the away side will be reasonably happy with a draw too. I feel we’ll see a low scoring affair, and I’m happy with a small bet on Under 2.5 goals at 1.61.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Under 2.5 goals at 1.61 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/NorLux
