This week sees the end of the UEFA Nations League and many of the groups are very close going into the final games. League A1 is no different, and we are set for a fantastic finish, including what would be a potentially huge shock at the bottom of the table.

For France, this game against the Netherlands on Friday night is their last of the group, and if they get anything from it they will be crowned winners of the group and progress through to the final next June. It doesn’t matter whether they get a point or all three, anything from the game is good enough for them. Thier opponents the Netherlands have two games remaining, and they are in limbo right now. They could win the group, but they could also be relegated so they have two vitally important games to contest.

A win here would move them to six points, and put them just one behind France with one game to go, and with France already finished. However, a loss or a draw here and they are in danger of being relegated going into their final game. That game comes against Germany, the team who are currently bottom and chasing them down, this si going to be a fantastic finish to the group.

Could Germany be relegated? From being the World and European Champions not too long ago, they could be on the verge of dropping down to the second tier of European international football, something that would be a huge shock. This isn’t the only group like this, but with the teams involved here and the prospect of a huge nation like Germany being relegated, I’m sure many people will be watching league A1 with huge interest over the next few days.

Nations League Brings Excitement Back to International Football

As we head into the final week of the Nations League, we have multiple groups where the outcome is still yet to be decided. We are going to have a lot of exciting games over the next few days, and there is a lot at stake for a number of teams, whether they are in the A league and some of the best in the world, or those in the D league and used to losing more games than they win.

Up at the top we have the excitement of Germany possibly being relegated from the top tier, and one of England or Croatia also going down. While down at the bottom we have teams like Gibraltar fighting for promotion and winning games, something we are certainly not used to seeing from them.

By playing every group game against a team of similar ability, excitement has returned to interntional football. While Gibraltar will love the experience of going to a big nation and testing themselves, the chance to play competitively and win games on a regular basis is something that will be a far greater help to them as they are trying to improve as a footballing nation. No one wants to get beat comfortably every time they play for their nation, and the fans certainly don’t want to watch it, regardless of whether they support the winning team or not.

We will still have international friendlies, so teams like Gibraltar will get their day out to test themselves, but the games in the Nations League eliminate many of the friendlies, in favour of competitive action.

If anyone would like to know whether or not the Nations League has been a success so far, just take a look at the league tables we have going into the final week of games and decide for yourself. You will see many close tables, many smaller nations winning games and performing well, and plenty of excitement surrounding the games we have seen so far, and ahead of those that are still to come.

The French Bandwagon Keeps Rolling

After winning the World Cup in Russia this summer, many people forcasted that France could go on and win further titles and be a big, dominating force in football for years to come. This was mainly down to their young  squad, those players who won the World Cup are likely to be together for a number of years.

The Nations League is their first test since that, and they are showing no signs of slowing down yet. They have played three games up to now, winning two and drawing one and if they get anything from this game they will top the group and go through to the final next June. That gives them another big stage to perform on, and they could add another trophy to their cabinet.

With the Euro 2020 tournament coming the year after, there is every chance that this could be the start of three fantastic summer’s for the French national football team in a row. The way they played in Russia was certainly good enough to make them favourites for Euro 2020, and with the chance that their younger players have improved to become even better, the rest of Europe will be keeping an eye on how they perform between now and then.

It is certainly an interesting and exciting time to be a fan of French football.

Netherlands vs France Betting Tips

This is a big game for both of these teams, with France looking to win the group, and the Netherlands going into the final week as potential winners of the group and also potentially relegated from the group. That puts them in a togh situation, but they need to take one game at a time and they must first focus on getting something from this game.

France have just this game left, and anything from it will be enough for them to win the group and go through to the final. They were exceptional at the World Cup and will fancy their chances of two trophies in two years by landing the Nations League. They may only need a point from the game to secure top spot, but I don’t think they will go out and specifically play for that, I think they will go out to win the game, and that is what I am backing them to do.

I’m backing France here, they are by far the better team on paper, have plenty of big match experience and perhaps most importantly they are riding a huge wave of confidence right now. That can be enough for France to take this game, and claim top spot in league A1.

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