Nations League Predictions: England Win Again, Klopp’s Germany Get Up and Running but More Misery for Wales
The Premier League is on a three-week break, so attention turns to international football and the Nations League. The home nations are all in action, and there’s plenty of interest in fixtures elsewhere too, with a raft of big-name managers making their debuts in charge of their countries. Here, we pick out the standout fixtures taking place over the coming days, along with our predictions and the best free bets to get involved with this international break.
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Round Up and Predictions
Friday 2nd October
France v Italy (7.45pm)
Zinedine Zidane always appeared a cool character on the touchline at Real Madrid, but his exuberant celebrations that accompanied Michael Olise’s late winner against Belgium on Monday night showed what managing France means to him. Expect no let-up against Italy, with the likes of Olise and Ousmane Dembele set to be restored to the starting XI. Italy will arrive on a high after thrashing Turkey last time out, but this is a major step up in class.
Prediction: France 3-0 Italy
Saturday 3rd October
Croatia v England (5 pm)
England finished third at the World Cup, but doubts still linger around head coach Thomas Tuchel. The suspicion remains that the Three Lions have not progressed under the German and still sit just below the elite countries, but well ahead of most other nations. That has proven to be the case over the past week, with England losing to Spain at Wembley on Saturday night and then cruising past Czechia in Prague, albeit aided by the first-half dismissal of Pavel Sulc. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener, and it could be a similar story here.
Prediction: Croatia 1-3 England
North Macedonia v Scotland (7.45pm)
Scotland have yet to score in Group B1 following a dour goalless draw in Slovenia and a humbling 3-0 defeat at home to Switzerland. Jack Hendry’s 11th-minute dismissal soured the night for the Scots and meant new boss Sebastien Pocognoli’s debut game at Hampden ended in disappointment. The Belgian will expect his side to bounce back in North Macedonia against a side that has suffered back-to-back defeats.
Prediction: North Macedonia 0-1 Scotland
Spain v Czechia (7.45pm)
The world champions beat Croatia on Tuesday night to extend their unbeaten run to 40 games. Lamine Yamal scored twice and was the star act in Seville as Luis de la Fuente’s men made it two wins from two in Group A3. Czechia struggled to lay a glove on England, and it’s nigh-on impossible to see them winning here. This will be a handsome home win.
Prediction: Spain 4-0 Czechia
How We Make Our Predictions
Our predictions are built on a mix of form, context, and matchday specifics, not guesswork. Before each round of fixtures, we look at:
- Recent form and head-to-head record, weighing how each side has performed over their last few matches, rather than relying on ranking alone
- Squad news, including injuries, suspensions and likely selection, is checked as close to kick-off as possible since this can shift a prediction right up to the final team sheet
- New managerial appointments, which are especially relevant this international break, as several nations debut new head coaches with different tactical approaches
- Home and away form splits, since some sides perform very differently on the road
- Broader market signals, including how odds are moving, which can reflect information not yet obvious from the stats alone
Our predictions reflect our own editorial judgement and are intended to inform and entertain, not as financial or betting advice. They’re not influenced by any betting operator, and we don’t guarantee outcomes. Football is unpredictable, which is a big part of why we all watch it.
Responsible Gambling
It is vital to stay on top of your gambling habits, especially when betting on international football. All top online sportsbooks will offer users a range of responsible gambling tools, such as time-outs and deposit limits. Alternatively, bettors can contact the following support services:
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
- GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Croatia v England?
Croatia host England in the Nations League on Saturday, with kick-off at 5pm.
How did England get on in their last two Nations League games?
England lost to Spain at Wembley before bouncing back with a win over Czechia in Prague.
Has Jurgen Klopp won a game as Germany manager yet?
Not yet. Germany is without a win from Klopp’s first two games in charge, with Serbia visiting Munich on Thursday.
How long is Spain’s unbeaten run?
The world champions extended their unbeaten run to 40 games with a victory over Croatia on Tuesday night.
Can I bet on Nations League predictions with free bets?
Yes, several UK bookmakers offer free bet welcome offers that new customers can use on international fixtures. Always check the terms of each site, including minimum odds and expiry windows, before placing a qualifying bet.
City AM is committed to responsible gambling. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford. To gain help, support and advice for a person struggling with gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. If you are worried about your gambling or that of a friend visit gambleaware.org.
