best bets drinan

Saturday best bets: Nations League tips for September 26 2026


Football betting tips: Nations League

14:00 - Slovenia vs Scotland

2pts Over 2.5 goals at 5/4 (General)

1pt Over 3.5 goals at 17/5 (BetVictor)

15:00 - Swindon vs Accrington

2.5pts Aaron Drinan to score anytime at 11/8 (bet365)

0.75pts Aaron Drinan to score 2+ goals at 8/1 (bet365)

0.25pt Aaron Drinan to score 3+ goals at 40/1 (bet365)

19:45 - Slovakia vs Moldova

1pt Slovakia to win and BTTS at 13/5 (bet365)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair

https://media.betfair.com/redirect.aspx?pid=17888340&lpid=159&bid=1615

Slovenia vs Scotland

Tom Carnduff

A new era begins for the Scotland national side and it's one which may well take some getting used to.

Sébastien Pocognoli's arrival promises a change from the sometimes attritional football seen under Steve Clarke. While it did gain results in terms of reaching major international tournaments, debate raged on regarding their lack of ambition in games.

That's not to say it'll be all-action all of the time, but Pocognoli brings a style which should play to the strengths of some of the talent within this squad.

There's a required period to adapt though. His Monaco side were aggressive out of possession with a focus on attacking football. At the most recent World Cup, Scotland were more than happy to stand off their opponent.

New Scotland boss Sébastien Pocognoli
New Scotland boss Sébastien Pocognoli

He'll want to make an immediate impact and while that should bring some creativity in attack, but it'll also deliver times of defensive vulnerability as the players continue to learn what is now expected of them.

While GOALS weren't something we'd previously looked towards in Scotland games, the odds-against prices on OVER 2.5 and OVER 3.5 are worth a go here.

This game also marks the first competitive outing for Boštjan Cesar as Slovenia's boss and the three friendlies they've played under his guidance did deliver some action. They were beaten 2-1 by Croatia and won 3-2 in Montenegro. Both teams struck in a home draw with Cyprus.

The previous two games saw double figures for shots on target alongside nine against Montenegro and eight when losing to Hungary.

So while the focus of this angle is largely down to Scotland's likely set-up under Pocognoli, the hosts have also demonstrated their ability to play a part when it comes to action in front of goal.


Swindon vs Accrington

Jake Osgathorpe

Swindon have been the classic Jekyll and Hyde team so far this season: brilliant at home and terrible on the road. Indeed they have won all three home league games and are winless in four away, losing three.

Another home win could be on the cards against an Accrington side who have lost all three away games to date, conceding 2+ goals and 2+ xGA in all three.

This looks the prime opportunity for last season's League Two top scorer AARON DRINAN to strike. He loves his home comforts, with all five of his league goals this season coming at The County Ground, including a hat-trick in their last home win against Colchester.

drinan

He and his team simply love playing at home, with 73% of Drinan's total xG this season coming in front his home fans, with his xG per 90 of 1.08 in home contests this season simply excellent.

Since the start of last season he has found the net in 14 of 23 home league games (61%) with 19 of his 27 league goals (70%) coming at home, so at 11/8, we'll back him TO SCORE ANYTIME as our main bet.

As touched upon already, Accrington are a team who give up plenty of chances, so we have to chance DRINAN TO SCORE 2+ at 8/1 as well as TO SCORE A HAT-TRICK at 40s.

He fired three braces last season, all at home, and did manage a hat-trick the last time he graced his home turf. He is Swindon's penalty taker and the spearhead of what can be a red-hot attacking unit, especially at home.


Slovakia vs Moldova

Jake Osgathorpe

Moldova may be ranked 159th in the world but they have found a way to regularly get on the scoresheet in recent years. Indeed they have found the net in 22 of their last 30 internationals stretching back to 2023, including against some highly-ranked teams.

They've breached the likes of Austria, Poland more than once, Sweden, Norway and Israel, so while they may lose on their trip to Slovakia, they can at least notch.

A SLOVAKIA WIN AND BTTS makes appeal at 13/5, with FIFA's 45th-ranked team likely to prevail, though they rarely keep a clean sheet and still have a fairly new coach in charge.

Vladimir Weiss took over ahead of June's international friendlies and oversaw a 2-1 home win against Malta, who are ranked lower than Moldova at 160th in the world, before a 2-2 draw against Montenegro (81st).


Odds correct at 14:50 BST (18/09/26)

More from Sporting Life

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Join for Free
Image of stables faded in a gold gradientGet exclusive Willie Mullins insight, plus access to premium articles, expert tips and Timeform data, plus more...
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefitsWhite Chevron
Sporting Life Plus Logo

FOOTBALL TIPS