Nations League betting tips: Bale to lead injury-hit Wales?
Published:
The new Nations League campaign gets underway tonight, with some sides playing their first matches in almost 12 months.
Among those are Wales, who haven’t played a game since defeating Hungary 2-0 last November to qualify for the Euros.
Ryan Giggs’ men take on Finland in Group B4 tonight, while Stephen Kenny takes charge of the Republic of Ireland for the first time, as they visit Bulgaria.
There’s a couple of tidy-looking clashes in Group A4 this evening too, as Germany take on Spain and Ukraine play Switzerland. And so without further ado, here’s your one-stop guide to tonight’s big games…
Finland v Wales – 19:45
Wales are 11/8 favourites to win in Helsinki tonight, but they’ll have to make do without a host of players.
Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks, Tyler Roberts, Ashley Williams, Joe Allen, Chris Mepham, James Chester and Joe Rodon will all be absent this evening.
Gareth Bale is raring to go however, and the Real Madrid ace will be eager to put on a performance having been ostracised with regards to his club duties.
But with so many injuries, the Finns may fancy their chances. The hosts are 9/5 for the win, as they begin their own preparations for next summer’s Euros.
Bale is 7/2 favourite to net first, ahead of Norwich’s Teemu Pukki at 5/1. Hal Robson-Kanu is available having reversed his international retirement, and is 13/2 to score first.
Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland – 19:45
Also in Group B4, the Republic of Ireland head to Sofia as 21/20 favourites.
There’s an air of optimism as Kenny leads the Emerald Isle into a new era, and tonight’s clash is key with their Euros play-off versus Slovakia next month rapidly approaching.
It’s the start of a hectic phase for Kenny’s side, who could play eight matches between now and mid-November.
Bulgaria have only won one of their last 14 matches, and they’re the 3/1 outsiders this evening.
Kenny has a largely fit squad to choose from, with Aaron Connolly, Adam Idah and Shane Long 5/1 apiece to score first.
Germany v Spain – 19:45
There’s a real heavyweight clash in Group A4 tonight, as Germany take on Spain in Stuttgart.
Four-time World Cup winners Germany are 27/20 favourites, but Die Mannschaft’s preparations have been heavily disrupted by Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig’s lengthy runs in the Champions League.
Boss Joachim Low is missing a number of key players from Bayern and Leipzig’s squads, although Leroy Sane could start alongside Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
Luis Enrique has returned to take charge of Spain for the second time, and the 2010 World Cup champions are 19/10 to win this evening.
Chelsea new-boy Werner is 7/2 favourite to score first, with Rodrigo Moreno at 5/1 for the visitors.
Elsewhere
Among tonight’s other ties, Switzerland are 21/10 to win at Ukraine (19/10) in Group A4’s other clash. In Group B3, Russia are 23/20 to win at home to Serbia 5/2, with Turkey 4/7 to defeat Hungary (11/2).
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
