UEFA Nations League: Standout Games to Bet On

The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League league phase begins on Thursday 24 September and the opening double header runs through to Tuesday 29 September. League A alone serves up England against Spain, Netherlands against Germany, Portugal against Wales and Italy against Belgium inside six days, so there is no shortage of serious international football for UK bettors.

All prices quoted below are Bet365 match result odds taken on 22 September. They will move once team news lands, so always check the live price before you bet.

The feature game: England v Spain

Wembley, Saturday 26 September, 18:45

This is the tie the draw was made for. England were beaten by Spain in the Euro 2024 final and dropped into League B for the last edition of this competition before bouncing straight back. Now Thomas Tuchel's side open League A3 against the European champions in front of a full house.

Spain remain the most complete side in Europe on the ball, and the market reflects a genuine coin toss rather than a home banker. England are marginal favourites on the back of a formidable competitive record at Wembley, but Spain have the midfield control to take the sting out of the occasion. The draw is short for a reason: these two have a long history of tight, cagey knockout meetings, and both managers will treat a point as a perfectly acceptable start to a group that also contains Croatia.

Netherlands v Germany

Johan Cruijff Arena, Thursday 24 September, 18:45

Arguably the pick of matchday one. The oldest rivalry in the European game reopens in Amsterdam, with the Dutch marginally preferred at home and Germany rated a solid second favourite. Neither defence has looked watertight in recent competitive football and both sides carry front line quality, which is why the draw is a big price by comparison with England v Spain. Group A2 also contains Serbia and Greece, so the loser here starts on the back foot in a group where one slip can cost top two.

Portugal v Wales

Estadio Jose Alvalade, Thursday 24 September, 18:45

The holders begin their defence at home to Wales. Roberto Martinez's Portugal won the last edition by beating Spain on penalties in the final and are overwhelming favourites in Lisbon, which is exactly the problem for anyone looking at the match result market. At this sort of price the interest sits in the handicap and goals markets rather than the outright.

Wales travel with a clear plan: stay in the game, use the counter, and take whatever chances come. They will fancy their real points haul against Denmark and Norway rather than here.

Italy v Belgium

Stadio Olimpico, Friday 25 September, 18:45

Two sides rebuilding, and a market that cannot separate them by much. Italy have home advantage in Rome and are a shade of odds against, with Belgium only a little longer. Group A1 also contains France and Turkiye, so this is close to a must win for both in the context of the top two qualifying for the quarter finals.

Turkiye v France

Friday 25 September, 18:45

France are a very short away favourite despite a hostile venue, and the market is treating Turkiye almost as a long shot at home. That is a big call on atmosphere alone. If you fancy the home side, the draw at around 4/1 is often the more sensible route into a game like this.

Slovenia v Scotland

Saturday 26 September, 13:00

Scotland open League B1 away in Ljubljana in an early kick off, and the market makes it close to a three way coin toss with Slovenia a shade of favourite. Scotland are in a group they can realistically win, with Switzerland the main threat, so a point away from home here would be a decent platform.

Denmark v Wales

Sunday 27 September, 16:00

Wales's second game and a far more meaningful one for their group hopes. Denmark are clear favourites at home, but at around 15/4 Wales are a considerably more realistic each way style proposition than they were in Lisbon three days earlier.

Norway v Portugal

Sunday 27 September, 18:45

The likely group decider in A4. Norway at home against the holders, with Portugal shaded as favourites but nothing like the price they were against Wales. Both attacks are capable of winning a shootout, which makes this one of the strongest goals markets of the window.

Czech Republic v England

Tuesday 29 September, 18:45

England's second fixture, and on paper the one they are expected to win. The Czechs are a big price at home, which tells you how the market rates England's squad depth against a side in transition. Prices here are the best available across the market rather than a single book, because coverage is still thin this far out.

Spain v Croatia

Tuesday 29 September, 18:45

Spain at home in the same group, and a market that expects a comfortable evening for the champions. Croatia's ageing midfield core is the question, and 13/2 for the away win looks generous only if you believe they can still control a game in Spain.

Other home nations interest

Kosovo host the Republic of Ireland on Thursday 24 September at 18:45, with Kosovo marginally preferred at 29/20, the draw and Ireland both around 21/10. Georgia face Northern Ireland on Friday 25 September at 16:00, Georgia 5/6, the draw 12/5 and Northern Ireland 3/1. Scotland then host Switzerland on Tuesday 29 September at 18:45, where Switzerland are favourites at 21/20, the draw 12/5 and Scotland 9/4.

How the competition works this season

League A, B and C are each split into four groups of four, with teams playing home and away. The top two in each League A group now progress to a two legged quarter final in 2027, with the finals held from 9 to 13 June 2027. Bottom sides in League A and League B are relegated, group winners in League B and League C are promoted. There is no World Cup qualification angle attached to this edition.

All Nations League fixtures, 24 to 29 September

Thursday 24 September

Friday 25 September

Saturday 26 September

Sunday 27 September

Monday 28 September

Tuesday 29 September

All times are UK time. Prices were correct on 22 September and will change. 18+, please gamble responsibly.