Nations League Betting Tips: Can Scotland stop Portugal?

Despite being just eight games into the Premier League season, we are already on our second international break. In this article, there are betting tips for five international matches to watch out for this week. 

Belgium vs France

Monday 14 October
Kick Off: 19:45
Live on Viaplay YouTube

Arguably the tie of the international slate sees Belgium host France, with both teams hoping to close the gap on group leaders Italy. 

Belgium have had a mixed start to their Nations League campaign, winning once, drawing once and losing once. They’ve also scored five goals and conceded five, currently sitting third in their group of four. 

Domenico Tedesco’s side are sixth in the World Rankings, despite a disappointing Euro campaign that saw them crash out in the last 16, losing to Monday’s opponents in a cagey game. 

France’s Nations League campaign has been slightly better than Belgium’s, winning two and losing one of their three games. 

Didier Deschamps' side lost the opener 3-1 to Italy, despite scoring after just one minute. They followed this up with a 2-0 win over Belgium, before dismantling Israel 1-4 away from home. 

Les Bleus have an array of attacking talent on display, scoring seven goals in three games, including a goal in every game. Belgium have found the back of the next in two out of their three matches. 

Prediction: Both Teams To Score @ 1.74

Wales vs Montenegro

Monday 14 October
Kick Off: 19:45
Live on: BBC iPlayer

Second-placed Wales host bottom place Montenegro hoping for a win to mount pressure on table-toppers Turkey. 

Under Craig Bellamy, Wales have more of an identity than they did under Rob Page, with The Dragons looking to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. 

His tenure started with a 0-0 draw at home to Turkey, before a rain-soaked 2-1 win at Montenegro after two goals in the opening three minutes. Bellamy would have been fuming with his sides’ inability to hold onto a 0-2 lead at Iceland, eventually drawing 2-2. 

Montenegro have flattered to deceive in this campaign, losing all three games, meaning they have now lost five games in a row. 

Robert Prosinecki will be desperate to stop the losing streak, so a defensive set-up is expected to try and nullify Wales. Bellamy will be without Brennan Johnson – who has scored in seven straight games. With the 23-year-old not playing, Wales may struggle to break down a determined Montenegro side. 

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.73

Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria 

Tuesday 15 October
Kick Off: 19:45
Live on Viaplay YouTube

Second and third do battle in Nations League C Group 3 as Northern Ireland host Bulgaria at Windsor Park. 

The Green and White Army started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Luxembourg, before losing 1-0 to Bulgaria in a cagey affair. A hard-fought 0-0 draw at Belarus followed. Northern Ireland’s matches this tournament are averaging just one goal.

Bulgaria come into this game yet to concede, with a 1-0 home win at home to Northern Ireland sandwiched in between a 0-0 draw at Belarus and a 0-0 draw at home to Luxembourg. 

The Lions are nine games unbeaten, conceding just two goals in their last seven games. However, they also struggle in front of goal, scoring just four goals in this time frame. 

In a clash between two sides feeble in attack and resilient in defence, a bore draw could be in store again. 

Prediction: 0-0 Correct Score @ 7.60

Poland vs Croatia

Tuesday 15 October
Kick Off: 19:45
Live on Viaplay YouTube

Under the previous stewardship of Fernando Santos, Poland were cautious and unambitious. However, under Michal Probierz, they are more ambitious. Since the pre-Euro friendlies, Poland have seen over 2.5 goals in six of their eight games. 

In the Nations League so far, The Eagles have won once and lost twice. They started with a dramatic 2-3 win at Scotland, before losing 1-0 to Croatia in an end-to-end affair. Saturday’s clash with Portugal saw them lose 1-3 in a game in which the visitors dominated. 

Croatia have won twice and lost once – losing 2-1 away to Portugal before beating Poland (1-0) and Scotland (2-1) at home. Like Poland, since their pre-Euro friendlies, Croatia have seen over 2.5 goals land in six out of eight matches. 

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.93

Scotland vs Portugal

Tuesday 15 October
Kick Off: 19:45
Live on Viaplay YouTube

Scotland sit rock bottom of their Nations League group after losing all three games. It continues a worrying run of form for the Tartan Army since finishing bottom of their Euro 2024 group.

Steve Clarke’s side started with a 2-3 loss to Poland, losing 2-1 away to Tuesday’s visitors courtesy of a late Cristiano Ronaldo goal. It was late heartbreak for Scotland yet again on Saturday, with Che Adams having a 95th-minute goal disallowed – a goal that would’ve seen them salvage a memorable 2-2 draw. 

Portugal have won all three games, looking to improve on their disappointing Euros Quarter-Final exit. Roberto Martinez’s side have looked potent in attack, scoring seven goals in their three games. 

However, A Selecao have looked vulnerable at the back, conceding a goal in every single game. Portugal could all but secure their qualification as table-toppers with a win, so Roberto Martinez will set his side up to attack from the start. 

Prediction: Portugal win and over 2.5 goals @ 2.36

Recommended Bets:

Back Both Teams To Score in Belgium vs France @ 1.74
Back Under 2.5 goals in Wales vs Montenegro @ 1.73
Back 0-0 Correct Score in Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria @ 7.60
Back over 2.5 goals in Poland vs Croatia @ 1.93
Back Portugal to win and over 2.5 goals vs Scotland @ 2.36