Nations League: Thursday Betting Tips

bet365 News Team Updated: 05 Apr 23 09:36 Published: 09 Jun 22 15:40

The Nations League action continues on Thursday night as teams jostle for position in their respective groups.

Of the Home Nations, Northern Ireland take the field against Kosovo, while some European heavyweights are also in action.

NI determined to end winless run

What: Kosovo v Northern Ireland
Where: Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina
When: 19:45, Thursday 9th June 2022
How to watch: Premier Sports 1
Odds: Kosovo 23/20, Northern Ireland 13/5, Draw 21/10

With three games on the bounce without a win, Ian Baraclough takes his Northern Ireland side to Pristina to face Kosovo on Thursday night.

Two wins in their last nine games doesn't make pretty reading for Northern Ireland, as they face a Kosovo side that were unbeaten in four games before a 1-0 defeat to Greece last time out.

In that unbeaten stretch, Kosovo showed how far they have come as a national side, as they secured 1-1 draws in both Greece and Switzerland.

Baraclough has a decision to make on whether to hand Glentoran striker Conor McMenamin a first start after he made his international debut from the bench in a goalless draw in Cyprus on Sunday.

Kyle Lafferty and Gavin Whyte look to be ahead of McMenamin in the pecking order but Baraclough could look to change things up, as goals have been hard to come by for the men in green of late.

This will certainly be another tough test for Northern Ireland, who are understandably the underdogs going into this game on the back of both teams' recent form.

Unbeaten runs on the line in Lisbon

What: Portugal v Czech Republic
Where: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
When: 19:45, Thursday 9th June 2022
How to watch: Premier Player
Odds: Portugal 4/9, Czech Republic 6/1, Draw 7/2

Both Portugal and Czech Republic have made unbeaten starts to the new Nations League campaign as they prepare to meet in Lisbon.

A 4-0 victory over Switzerland last time out will have done the confidence in the Portuguese camp no harm at all, while the Czechs also impressed as they held Spain to a 2-2 draw.

Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo was once again on the scoresheet in that comfortable win over the Swiss.

The 37-year-old has a phenomenal record when representing his national side, scoring 116 goals in 117 appearances.

At last year's European Championships, the Czech Republic showed they are no pushovers as they beat the Netherlands in the knockout stages before being edged out by Denmark in the quarter-finals. Expect another close contest in this one.

Spain eager to get back to winning ways

What: Switzerland v Spain
Where: Stade de Geneve, Geneva
When: 19:45, Thursday 9th June 2022
How to watch: Premier Sports 2
Odds: Switzerland 3/1, Spain 9/10, Draw 5/2

With draws in their last two games, manager Luis Enrique and his Spain side will be determined to get back to winning ways as they travel to Zurich.

Stalemates against Portugal and Czech Republic have seen Spain make a stuttering start to this season's Nations League.

Thursday's trip to Geneva could offer the perfect opportunity to chalk up the first three points of the competition for La Roja, against a Swiss side low on confidence.

Three defeats and a draw in their last four outings have seen Switzerland's progress halted after what was a positive European Championships last summer.

These sides met in the quarter-finals of that tournament, with Spain coming out on top in a penalty shootout.

Enrique's side, who were knocked out by eventual Euro 2020 champions Italy in the semi-finals last summer, look like the 90 minutes will be enough this time to add to Switzerland's woes.

Haaland looking to continue scoring run

What: Norway v Slovenia
Where: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
When: 19:45, Thursday 9th June 2022
How to watch: Premier Player
Odds: Norway 2/5, Slovenia 8/1, Draw 16/5

Manchester City's latest big acquisition Erling Haaland will be the man to look out for once again, as Norway face Slovenia in Oslo on Thursday.

With four wins on the bounce, the in-from Norwegians have made significant progress of late and will be determined to reach their first European Championships since Euro 2000.

Superstar Haaland has been a key figure in his country's recent success, with the City forward scoring six goals in his last four games.

Given his recent run of scoring, Haaland is 4/5 to find the back of the net anytime against the Slovenians, while he's 5/2 to score the opening goal of the game at Ullevaal Stadion.

As for Slovenia, they certainly look like they will be up against it, as they have managed just one win in their last seven outings.