UEFA Nations League Matchday 1 Odds & Picks – Sept. 3

• Former world champions Germany and Spain meet in the pick of the fixtures on Thursday, September 3
• Better value to be had in the matches with less media spotlight, such as Finland-Wales or Ukraine-Switzerland
• Read on for full betting odds, analysis and three best bets for Matchday 1

International soccer is back with a bang on Thursday as the UEFA Nations League returns with a rematch of the 2008 European Championship final to kick things off as Germany hosts Spain.

But while the matchup between two teams with five World Cups and six European Championships between them will capture much of the headlines, there is arguably greater value to be had where the spotlight shines less brightly, such as in the matches taking place in Finland and Ukraine. Remember, many of these teams haven’t played a competitive match together since last November, and the teams that take the field on Thursday may look very different to those lineups from ten months ago.

UEFA Nations League Matchday 1 Odds – Sept 3

Odds taken Sept. 2

Germans Testing Strength Against Spain

In this particular case, strength will mean strength in depth. German head coach Joachim Low has decided not to call on the nucleus of Bayern Munich players who led the Bavarian club to their sixth European Cup just ten days ago. So no Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich or Serge Gnabry for the four-time World Cup winners.

🗣️ "It's been a while…"

We caught up with @LeroySane19 on his return to the Germany setup after 15 months away 🎥#DieMannschaft #GERESP pic.twitter.com/41O5H7SwvW

— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 1, 2020

However, as can be expected for a team with one of the most productive soccer systems in world football, there are always other players who can step in to fill a void. So the likes of former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane could get a look for the first time in 15 months, as could Atalanta wing-back Robin Gosens, to say nothing of the Chelsea pair of Timo Werner and Antonio Rudiger.

Spain coach Luis Enrique has opted to go young with his squad, so young Barcelona midfielder Ansu Fati could win his first cap at the senior level in Thursday’s match, possibly alongside Manchester City winger Ferran Torres, who has played for Spain at the under-17, U19 and U21 levels.

With only eight players having more than 15 caps to their name, Spain has definitely moved on from the era that brought a pair of European Championships and the 2010 World Cup. Exactly what they have moved on to is still to be determined though.

Pick: Draw (+230)

All Eyes On Bale

For a player that’s seemingly been more accustomed to the golf course than the pitch in the last few months, you would think the Nations Cup couldn’t have arrived at a better time for Gareth Bale.

His supposedly strained relationship with Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane attracts much media attention in Spain, so the Wales winger should be determined to put on a show against Finland on Thursday. With a coach that will almost certainly treat him as the world-class player he still is in the shape of Ryan Giggs, Bale will be given every opportunity to shine and show the world that he still has a future in this game.

Gareth Bale – Good Old Days pic.twitter.com/vKpGZpVyB4

— ً (@VazquezSZN) September 1, 2020

The reliance on Bale will be even more pronounced given the absence of Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who has withdrawn from the squad due to injury.

But Finland is not an easy place to play these days. Markku Kanerva’s squad is ranked 58th in the FIFA rankings and qualified for their first-ever tournament finals in Euro 2021. The team won all three home fixtures in the last Nations League campaign, and despite a 2-1 home loss to Italy, Finland won all its remaining home games without conceding a goal in qualifying for the European Championship finals.

Huuhkajien elämää kuplassa ⚔️ Joni Kauko vs Teemu Pukki. Ja voittaja on… #Huuhkajat pic.twitter.com/ZfsRczCHGt

— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) September 2, 2020

And in Norwich striker Teemu Pukki, who has 25 international goals, the team is lead by a forward with a nose for the net.

Pick: Finland (+240)

The Shevchenko Effect

Unbeaten in its last 11 games, former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko has got his Ukraine team firing on all cylinders at the moment. It successfully came through its Euro 2020 (2021) qualifying group, finishing top of the table in a group that included reigning Nations League champions Portugal, and Serbia.

But Switzerland is no slouch either. It surprised many by reaching the semi-finals of the inaugural Nations League (losing to Portugal), and the Swiss also finished ahead of Denmark and the Republic of Ireland to top their Euro 2020 qualifying group.

🇨🇭 Switzerland's young attacking talent 🤯

Noah Okafor (19)
Ruben Vargas (21)
Breel Embolo (22)
Albian Ajeti (22)
Cedric Itten (23)#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/x0cYSfT7v9

— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2020) January 22, 2020

With both teams in the same Nations League group as Germany and Spain, avoiding last place and relegation will be key. This will be the third meeting between the two teams, with the last match a 2-2 friendly draw in 2010, preceded by a 0-0 draw at the round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup, with Ukraine advancing on penalties.

On this day 2006, Ukraine qualified for the Quarter Finals of the World Cup by edging out Switzerland in one of the most BORING games of World Cup football ever to be played. 0-0 after 120 minutes, the Swiss failed to score a single penalty with the Ukrainians winning 3-0. pic.twitter.com/JtHjpcjGQB

— Tale of Two Halves (@Taleof2_halves) June 26, 2018

But given the nearly ten-month hiatus since both teams last played, any momentum that either side has built up has likely been lost. Shevchenko could call on up to eight uncapped players that he has included in his squad, while Switzerland manager Vladimir Petkovic will lean on the likes of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and Borussia Monchengladbach striker Breel Embolo.

Pick: Draw (+215)