Spain host England in the Nations League
Spain host England in the Nations League

Free betting tips: UEFA Nations League including Spain v England


The Nations League continues on Monday with England and Northern Ireland both in action. We pick out some of our best bets.


Recommended bets

2pts Teemu Pukki to score anytime in Finland v Greece at 3/1

2pts Paco Alcacer to score anytime in Spain v England at 17/10

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


Spain v England (1945 BST, League A - Group 4)

Marcus Rashford and Isco battle for the ball
Marcus Rashford and Isco battle for the ball

Spain are rightly the odds-on favourites when they welcome England to Seville on Monday.

They may have crashed out for the World Cup at the round of 16 stage, following disrupted preparation, but Luis Enrique's arrival has revitalised this side as they sit top of the group with eight goals in two games.

They also beat England when they met at Wembley in September, and they should be too strong for the Three Lions here and secure a victory which will see them wrap up first place in Group 4.

The danger man for the hosts is Paco Alcacer, who has been in scintillating form since returning from injury at the end of September.

The Dortmund striker has seven goals in his last four appearances, a sequence which includes two in their 4-1 hammering of Wales on Thursday.

Spain's form in front of goal, with 12 scored in three matches since the World Cup, suggests that the visitors will do well to get out of this with a draw and goals are expected.

Over 2.5 goals is available at a best-price of 21/20 and is a solid option, but we'll side with Alcacer at a bigger price.

Score prediction: Spain 2-1 England (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)

Best bet: Paco Alcacer to score anytime at 17/10

RequestABet: Alcacer to score, over 2.5 goals, 9+ match corners and 20+ match booking points at 11/2

Opta facts

  • Spain have won each of their last four matches against England on home soil by an aggregate score of 6-0.
  • England have won just three of their last 13 matches versus Spain (W3 D3 L7), picking up just one win in their last seven meetings (W1 D1 L5).
  • The last England goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in an away game versus Spain was Peter Shilton in March 1980, in a 2-0 win.
  • England’s last away win against Spain came back in February 1987 under Bobby Robson; Gary Lineker scored all four goals in a 4-2 win.
  • Spain are unbeaten in each of their last 38 competitive home games (W34 D4), last losing versus Greece in June 2003 – 5609 days ago.
  • England are winless in their last four competitive matches (D1 L3). They last went five competitive internationals without a win back in October 1992 under Graham Taylor.
  • Spain’s Paco Alcacer has scored nine goals in just five matches for club and country in all competitions this season, averaging a goal every 27 minutes.
  • Harry Kane has failed to score in his last six appearances for England, his joint-longest goalless run for the national side (also six between June-September 2016).

Bosnia v Northern Ireland (1945 BST, League B - Group 3)

Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans (right) and Bosnia's Edin Dzeko
Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans (right) and Bosnia's Edin Dzeko

Northern Ireland face a striker crisis as they travel east to take on Bosnia, one which will put them at a huge disadvantage.

Kyle Lafferty pulled out of the squad prior to the international break, with Will Grigg picking up a hamstring injury following defeat to Austria and Liam Boyce also a doubt for the game.

It puts a huge weight on the shoulders of Josh Magennis, with the Bolton forward the man most likely to lead the line.

Defeat would mean a likely relegation for Michael O'Neill's men, with Austria requiring one point from their final two games in that scenario.

Bosnia hit two when these two met in Belfast last month and, despite Northern Ireland grabbing a late goal there, the lack of options available should ensure a clean sheet for the hosts this time.

Score prediction: Bosnia 2-0 Northern Ireland (Sky Bet odds: 5/1)

Best bet: Bosnia to win to nil at 5/4

Opta facts

  • Bosnia-Herzegovina were the victors in their maiden clash with Northern Ireland last month (2-1), despite attempting 21 fewer shots than their opponents.
  • After a run of five consecutive victories in all competitions, Northern Ireland have won just two of their last 10 (D2 L6).
  • Away from home, Northern Ireland are winless in their last five matches (D2 L3), failing to score a single goal in that run.
  • In all competitions, Bosnia are unbeaten in their last seven matches (W4 D3) since a friendly defeat against Mexico in February.
  • Edin Dzeko has been directly involved in five goals in his last five competitive international appearances for Bosnia (3 goals, 2 assists).
  • After scoring three goals in three games in September/October 2017, Josh Magennis has failed to score in his last seven appearances for Northern Ireland.

Finland v Greece (1945 BST, League C - Group 2)

Teemu Pukki has been in goalscoring form for Finland
Teemu Pukki has been in goalscoring form for Finland

Finland will be looking to keep up their perfect start to the UEFA Nations League when they meet Greece for the first time in this competition.

Greece are narrow favourites here, but there is value in backing a home victory given Finland's recent form and their opposition's struggles on the road.

Michael Skibbe's side have lost three of their last four away from home, while Finland are on an eight-game unbeaten run in front of their own supporters, with six wins in that time.

Teemu Pukki is the main man for Finland and has scored all three of their goals in the Nations League so far. The 28-year-old is also enjoying his season with Norwich in the Sky Bet Championship, scoring six and assisting a further two.

Track record suggests that this should be a low-scoring encounter, but if it is to end in a home victory, then there is a strong chance that Pukki will be heavily involved and he's a big enough price to chance.

Score prediction: Finland 1-0 Greece (Sky Bet odds: 11/2)

Best bet: Teemu Pukki to score anytime at 3/1


Odds correct at 1550 BST (14/10/18)

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