Nations League football betting preview & tip

Nations League outright

There have been some dark days for Dutch football in recent years but Holland have made huge progress over the last 12 months and can cap it off by lifting the Nations League trophy on Sunday.

Hosts Portugal, who take on Switzerland in the first semi-final in Oporto, are the 15-8 favourites, while England, keen to build on their run to the World Cup semi-finals last summer, are rated the main challengers at 9-4.

But English hopes could be extinguished in the semi-finals by the Oranje, who look overpriced 10-3 shots to atone for failures to qualify for Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018.

Dutch captain Virgil Van Dijk approaches the tournament full of confidence after playing a huge part in Liverpool's Champions League final success over Tottenham and his centre-back partnership with Ajax's Matthijs De Ligt can underpin the Dutch challenge.

Holland captain Virgil van DijkCredit: Stuart Franklin

There are question marks over Holland's attack, which lacks a world-class focal point, but there are plenty of good players elsewhere in the team and manager Ronald Koeman has them playing to their strengths.

Koeman's side topped Group One at the expense of France and Germany, scoring eight goals in four matches.

And, since qualifying for the Nations League finals, four Dutch players (De Ligt, Daley Blind, Frenkie De Jong and Donny Van den Beek) have gained extra confidence by playing important roles in Ajax's run to the Champions League semi-finals.

They possess two Champions League winners in Van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum and there is enough quality in the group for them to fancy their chances against elite opposition.

English clubs dominated the top European competitions this season but their success may work against the national team.

Eight of Gareth Southgate's squad were involved in either the Europa League final or the Champions League final and there is an obvious question mark over the fitness of Harry Kane, who looked well short of his best in Madrid.

The markets heavily favour Portugal to be one of the finalists but the Iberians look unhealthily reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo.

They have won just three of their last ten matches and are far from guaranteed to see off the Swiss.

Switzerland will look to defend diligently and rely on Liverpool's Xherdan Shaqiri for moments of inspiration.

They could give backers a run for their money at a decent price but may lack the necessary quality to overcome two heavyweight opponents inside five days.

Recommendation
Holland
2pts 10-3 Betway

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