Player to score – Lamine Yamal (Spain v Netherlands)
Spain and the Netherlands played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Nations League quarter final on Thursday with the European champions now at home for the second leg. Lamine Yamal could be the player to deliver the decisive blow having scored in two of his last three games for club and country.
The 17-year-old is Spain’s primary creative spark and the Netherlands’ first leg performance showed there will be space in the wide half spaces to be exploited. Lamine Yamal is a generational talent and had two shots in the first leg. He will be a threat once more in Sunday’s match.
Under 2.5 total goals – Scotland v Greece
Scott McTominay’s penalty gave Scotland a 1-0 win over Greece in Athens on Thursday night, meaning Steve Clarke’s team can get the job done at Hamden Park on Sunday. Neither side created many scoring opportunities in front of goal, hinting that this weekend’s second leg will be another cagey affair.
Greece could start Vangelis Pavlidis and Konstantinos Karetsas after the pair made an impact off the bench in the second half in Thursday night’s match. Clarke will likely run out the same lineup, barring any injuries from the first leg. Neither team is renowned for being particularly free-scoring.
Match to be a draw – France v Croatia
France must overturn a 2-0 deficit against Croatia to reach the Nations League semi-finals after defeat on Thursday night. Didier Deschamps’ team struggled to break down the Croatians in the first leg, failing to find the back of the net from an Expected Goals (xG) of 1.49. Croatia’s xG was 1.43, yet they scored twice.
Deschamps could shake up his forward line by bringing in Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue or Michael Olise from the start. This might spark France into life in the final third. However, Croatia are typically well organised and are experienced in grinding out results in big games. They will be hard to beat.
Both teams to score – Germany v Italy
A comeback from 1-0 down at San Siro saw Germany claim an impressive 2-1 away win over Italy on Thursday with Julian Nagelsmann’s team looking to complete the job and reach the Nations League semi-finals on Sunday. This tie could swing back and forth a few times before it reaches a conclusion.
Italy were able to create a number of scoring chances in quick transition on Thursday night. Sandro Tonali found the back of the net and there’s a good chance the Azzurri will pose a similar threat in the second leg when Germany will be expected to control the majority of possession. There will be space in behind.
Graham’s Fourfold
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England vs Albania Bet Builder
England’s qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup starts with a home match against Albania on Friday night. This will also be the start of the Thomas Tuchel era for The Three Lions and nothing less than a home win is expected. Indeed, England must make an early statement under their new manager.
In their last three matches, England have scored 11 goals. Albania, however, have kept a clean sheet in two of their last three games. They will aim to keep things tight at the back, but the likes of Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham should prove too good. A convincing home win could be on the cards.
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