Nations League Betting Tips: Back Haaland to find the back of the net against Austria

After an entertaining first round of Nations League fixtures, Matthew O’Regan has a tipsheet for round two. This tipsheet includes England, Wales and the Republic or Ireland, plus a clinical Scandinavian striker and two of the world’s best nations in France and Belgium facing off. 

Montenegro vs Wales

Monday September 9
Kick Off: 19:45
Live on BBC iPlayer

Montenegro opened their Nations League campaign with a 2-0 loss to Iceland in Reykjavik. This made it three losses in a row for Robert Prosinecki’s side, after winning his first two games in charge. Of these five games in charge, four have seen under 2.5 goals and four have seen BTTS NO. The Brave Falcons are moving past the days of veteran striker Stevan Jovetic. 

Nikola Kristovic is the new leading frontman, but the 24-year-old has struggled on the national stage, scoring just three goals in his 19 appearances. 

Wales drew 0-0 at home to Turkey in Craig Bellamy’s first game in charge. The Red Dragons looked more stylistic in their performance, but they were perhaps unlucky not to score. Defensively, they were strong, limiting a strong Turkey side to just five shots. 

The stalemate made it four straight blanks for Wales, failing to score against Poland, Gibraltar, Slovakia and Turkey. Wales lack a clinical goal scorer, with Aaron Ramsey deployed in a false nine role against Turkey. 

Prediction: Under Both Teams To Score NO & Under 2.5 goals @ 1.93

France vs Belgium

Monday September 9
Kick Off:19:45

France were shocked in their opener, losing 3-1 to Italy, despite being billed as favourites. It made it two defeats in a row for Les Blues after going eight games unbeaten prior.

It was a new-look French attack, with Michael Olise earning his first cap and Bradley Barcola making his sixth appearance.

Barcola in particular impressed, scoring France’s only goal of the game. The goal continued a rich vein of form for the 22-year-old, who has scored four goals in three starts for French champions PSG this campaign.   He was a threat throughout, having three shots and registering eight touches in the opposition box. 

Belgium started their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Israel in Debrecen, with Kevin De Bruyne shining and scoring a brace. 

With France needing a win to kick start their campaign, Barcola will look to cement his place in Didier Deschamps side.

Prediction: Bradley Barcola to Score @ 4.20

Norway vs Austria

Monday September 9
Kick Off: 19:45

Norway were held to a 0-0 draw in a dominant performance in Kazakhstan. Despite fielding an attack featuring Martin Ødegaard, Antonio Nusa, Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth, Ståle Solbakken’s side failed to penetrate a resilient Kazak rearguard. 

It has been a tough run of results for Norway, winning just one of their last six games – a 3-0 win over Kosovo, a game in which Erling Haaland scored a hat trick. 

The 24-year-old has scored 31 goals in 34 caps for the Lions, continuing his fine club form. He has started the Premier League season in incredible fashion, scoring seven goals in three starts, coming off the back of back-to-back hat tricks against Ipswich and West Ham. 

Austria drew 1-1 in Slovenia, meaning Group 3 is finely poised. Ralf Ragnick’s side are now eight games without a clean sheet and will be frightened at the prospect of facing an Erling Haaland-led Norway. 

Prediction: Erling Haaland to score @ 2.05

England vs Finland

Tuesday September 10
Kick Off: 19:45
Live on ITV X

Lee Carsley coached his first game as interim England manager against Ireland – a nation he was capped 40 times for. 

It was a dominant performance throughout, with Declan Rice and Jack Grealish scoring in the first half to secure a comfortable 2-0 win. In this game, England created 2.67 xG, a total amounting to more xG than they managed in all three Euro group games combined. 

Many people believed that Carsley has found the perfect balance, with Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka impressive behind Harry Kane. 

In this game, Ireland made 15 fouls, accumulating four yellow cards in a feisty encounter. The aforementioned trio won 10 of these 15 fouls as Ireland struggled to deal with England’s pace and trickery. 

Left-back Robbie Brady was one of the Boys In Green booked, bringing down Saka after a nice piece of skill. If the 23-year-old can repeat this performance, the Finnish left-back could be in for a torrid afternoon. 

Tomas Galvez is expected to start on the left side of defence again for Markku Kanerva’s side. The 19-year-old plies his trade in Austria for LASK on loan from Manchester City. While he did not make a foul in the loss to Greece, the teen made three fouls and got booked against San Marino in his only prior cap. 

Saka has already won 2.79 fouls per 90 in the Premier League this season, slightly higher than last year’s average of 2.12. In the new system, the 23-year-old should be afforded more freedom and cause issues for Tomas Galvez.

Prediction: Tomas Galvez to be carded @ 4.60

Republic of Ireland vs Greece

Tuesday September 10
Kick Off: 19:45

Heimir Hallgrimsson managed his first Ireland game in the 0-2 defeat to England. The 57-year-old came in for some criticism for his squad selection, with a lot of ‘old guard’ called up, instead of fresh faces. 

The performance against the Three Lions was flat and stagnant, with the Boys in Green managing just six shots. It means Ireland have won just two of their last 11 games, with these wins coming against Hungary and lowly Gibraltar. Ireland have also drawn a blank in five of their last seven games. 

Greece were clinical in the 3-0 win over Finland, scoring three goals from just nine shots. It meant it was back-to-back clean sheets for The Blue and Whites, who pride themselves on defensive stability. Greece, like Ireland, perhaps lack creativity and the cutting edge, so a low-scoring affair is likely. 

Prediction: Both Teams to Score NO & Under 2.5 goals @ 1.73

Recommend Bets:

Back Both Teams to Score No and Under 2.5 goals in Montenegro vs Wales @ 1.93
Back Bradley Barcola to score in France vs Belgium @ 4.20
Back Erling Haaland to score in Norway vs Austria @ 2.05
Back Tomas Galvez to be booked in England vs Finland @ 4.60
Back Both Teams to Score No and under 2.5 goals in Republic of Ireland vs Greece @ 1.73