There were a few surprises on the first matchday of UEFA’s Nations League and one which really stood out was Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-1 away draw with Italy.
They had lost 0-3 to Italy in their most recent home match though, so obviously they really didn’t want a repeat of that.
Elsewhere the Netherlands were 1-0 winners against Poland and both sides were a bit of a let down on the night, wasting chances and even though the home side were the better overall, they didn’t really stamp any authority on the match.
We’ve taken a look at the matches involving these teams and more to find a juicy acca for Monday night’s Nations League action.
19:45 Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Poland: Under 2.5 Goals
The home side come into this match as slight underdogs but with Poland being without star striker and captain Robert Lewandowski, who is still on his holidays after helping Bayern Munich to their sixth Champions League, they’ll be confident of getting the three points.
Edin Dzeko will be relishing that in particular, and will be looking to add to his international goals tally of 59 having scored against the Italians on Friday night.
The Bosnians are quite decent at home, they’ve lost just one of their last nine there (winning five and drawing three). Poland are good too though, winning six, drawing two and losing just one of their 10 most recent away matches.
The Poles have plenty of talent going forward with Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski and Hertha Berlin’s Krzysztof Piatek, but their defence and midfield aren’t much to get excited about.
Wojciech Szczesny in goal is probably the best from Serie A, and he’s helped them keep seven clean sheets over their 10 most recent matches. We can’t see many goals here, so we’re backing Under 2.5 Goals.
19:45 Netherlands v Italy: Over 2.5 Goals
The Netherlands were the better side on the balance of play against Poland. but they never got into fifth gear. They certainly could have, Poland were pretty bad at time but the Dutch just couldn’t string enough passes together and make their stamp on the match.
Against an Italian side drilled by Roberto Mancini they’re likely to face a team happy to sit back and soak up pressure.
Both nations love a clean sheet here, the Netherlands have only conceded in two out of five previous matches. Italy have the same record, but coming up against one another that should change as both were in good goalscoring form before the enforced Covid-19 stoppage in play.
The odds are against Overs here, but it’s landed in four out of five previous home matches for the Dutch and in five out of five away Italian matches.
Both Teams to Score is probably the safer option, but this has the look of goals and we’re backing Over 2.5 Goals.
19:45 Austria v Romania: Austria to Win and Both Teams To Score
Austria had a good result away to Norway on Friday night, winning 1-2 and they’re on a good run at home having won their last four matches in-a-row.
Meanwhile, Romania could only draw with Northern Ireland in their opening match.
The home side are favourites to win here, largely thanks to that strong home record but Romania rarely go a game without scoring on the road.
They’ve hit the net in nine out of 10 previous away matches and Austria have conceded in three of their last five at home. Austria to Win & Both Teams to Score is out tip here.
19:45 Israel v Slovakia: Both Teams to Score
Israel and Scotland played out a 1-1 draw on Friday night meaning that the home side have now only won one of their eight most recent matches.
At home their form is a bit better, they’ve been victorious in five of their last eight, drawing two and losing one. Slovakia lost their opening match against the Czech Republic at home and on their travels they’ve succeeded in just two of their last 10, drawing one and losing seven.
Both sides are in poor form, but they’re scoring goals and while this one has the feel of a draw, we’re taking the safer option of Both Teams to Score here.
* Prices on our snazzy new bet widget are bang up to date.
Nations League tips summary:
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Poland: Under 2.5 Goals
Netherlands v Italy: Over 2.5 Goals
Austria v Romania: Austria to Win and Both Teams To Score
Israel v Slovakia: Both Teams to Score
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