Nations League Tips: Ukraine will continue fine form

 Nations League Tips: Ukraine will continue fine form

The 2020/21 Nations League kicks off on Thursday and Dan Fitch is backing Ukraine to get off to a winning start, as he previews Thursday night's matches.

Nations League
Thursday 3 September

Sides drew twice in last Nations League

Latvia 1.52 v Andorra 9.60; The Draw 3.95
Kick off 17:00
Live on Sky Sports Football

It's a surprise to see Latvia so short in this Group D1 match. They may have pulled off a shock win against Austria in their last game, but it was their first victory after a 17-match run without a win (D5 L12).

Two of those draws came against Andorra in the last Nations League. At these prices it's worth backing another draw at 3.95.

Fair price for Faroes

Faroe Islands 1.72 v Malta 6.40; The Draw 3.40
Kick off 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Red Button

In the other match in Group D1, Faroe Islands take on Malta. These countries are very familiar with each other, having been paired in Euro 2020 qualifying and the last Nations League.

Faroe Islands have won their last two home games against Malta and should beat them again at 1.72.

Spain always score

Germany 2.62 v Spain 2.96; The Draw 3.50
Kick off 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Premier League

This will be Spain's first match since Luis Enrique returned as their manager. That adds to the unpredictability in a match between two teams that are both in good form.

Some value can be found in the likelihood of Spain scoring. They've found the net in each of their last 40 matches, last drawing a blank against Italy in Euro 2016. Both teams to score is 1.73.

Dzyuba can continue scoring streak

Russia 2.62 v Serbia 3.10; The Draw 3.30
Kick off 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Red Button

This is another match that is difficult to predict, with Russia and Serbia likely to be competing for promotion in Group B3.

Perhaps more predictable than the result is the chances of Russia's Artem Dzyuba to score. Dzuba scored nine goals in ten internationals in 2019 and is 2.80 to find the net.

Put money on Turkish delight

Turkey 1.66 v Hungary 6.40; The Draw 3.90
Kick off 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Also in Group B3 are Turkey and Hungary. Turkey are a relatively short price, but it still looks to be value, given their form.

The Turks have only lost one of their last 13 matches (W9 D3), while Hungary have lost five of their last six (W1). Back Turkey to win half-time/full-time at 2.58.

Ukraine have become major force

Ukraine 2.62 v Switzerland 3.20; The Draw 3.30
Kick off 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Ukraine have become a consistent force in international football, losing only one of their last 21 matches (W13 D7).

Since the World Cup, Switzerland have not been great away from home (P7 W3 D1 L3). Ukraine look value to inflict another defeat at 2.62.

Moldova can score against Kosovo

Moldova 9.00 v Kosovo 1.48; The Draw 4.00
Kick off 20:45
Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Both of these teams won promotion to League C during the last Nations League, but while Moldova scraped through, Kosovo did it in style.

The key to finding some value for Kosovo is by banking on Moldova to score. Since changing manager in October, Moldova have found the net in defeat against France and Iceland. A Kosovo win and both teams to score is 4.00.

Greece improving under new coach

Slovenia 2.58 v Greece 3.10; The Draw 3.30
Kick off 20:45
Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Greece have won their last three games under new manager John van 't Schip. That record suggests they can be competitive against Slovenia.

It would be foolish to back against Slovenia, who enjoyed some good home wins in Euro 2020 qualifying. Instead, back both teams to score at 2.10.