With the European football season now behind us, PSG capped it off in dominant fashion with a 5–0 win over Inter Milan in a historic Champions League Final. That match marked the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, and with it, the club football world’s attention now turns to the transfer window.
More importantly, players have joined their national teams as the UEFA Nations League playoffs are set to take place over the next few days, alongside the all-important World Cup Qualifiers.
With some major matchups on the horizon, it makes perfect sense to dive into the action and share our best tips for the upcoming games.
The first semifinal of the UEFA Nations League Group A takes place as Germany host Portugal at Allianz Stadium.
This is a showdown between 10th-ranked Germany and 7th-ranked Portugal, with multiple stars set to be on display.
I expect this game to go over the 2.5 total, as three of the four quarterfinal legs these teams played went over that number, and in some cases, quite comfortably.
Based on that, it also seems likely that both teams will score.
In those four quarterfinal matches, both teams scored in three of them, and each team conceded in all four.
As for Florian Wirtz, he may be the most talented player in world football and will serve as the key talisman for Germany, who enter this game as favorites at home.
I would expect the man, who has a €150 million move to Liverpool looming over his head, to show why he carries that valuation.
There is a battle of heavyweights as France, who have won a World Cup in recent memory, take on a Spain side that announced itself as the team to beat following its 2024 Euros triumph.
That victory was spearheaded by the most exciting prospect since Mbappe, in Lamine Yamal.
Spain is clearly spoiled for talent across the pitch, but they will be without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
On the other side, France will be led by La Liga’s top scorer Kylian Mbappe and possibly the 2024/25 Ballon d’Or favorite Ousmane Dembele, if he is fit following the Champions League Final.
Despite the star power, I still see Mbappe as the leader of the French attack.
The Madrid product is a player I expect to generate some goals or assists in this match.
With that in mind, I believe France, powered by the likes of Mbappe, Dembele, and Olise, could manage to get a result here.
The final leg of the bet rests on one of the most in-form left backs in world football, Marc Cucurella.
I expect him to win the majority of his duels and complete two or more tackles in this match.
We now turn to the first match of the World Cup Qualifiers, as Ecuador host one of the giants of South American football.
This game marks a major moment in Brazilian football history, with Carlo Ancelotti taking the reins of a highly talented squad as they begin their World Cup campaign.
With all the hype surrounding this matchup, I expect Brazil to come out on top, largely due to the overwhelming talent advantage they have over Ecuador, even though Ecuador are a solid side in their own right.
Because of Ecuador’s resilience, especially at home, I expect this to be a fairly open game.
Even if they lose, I believe they will manage to find the back of the net at some point.
Two teams that failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup face off in a key matchup, as both continue their push for a place in next year’s tournament.
Norway are led by Premier League superstars Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, who will look to dictate the tempo in what promises to be a high-level contest.
Italy, on the other hand, are four-time World Cup champions and will be determined to bounce back from the disappointment of missing the last cycle.
While Italy are the higher-rated side, they are facing a dangerous Norway team that has already scored nine goals in their first two qualifiers this season.
However, Norway have yet to face a team of Italy’s caliber.
I expect this game to feature some outstanding goals, which is why I’m backing the over on the 2.5 line.
Plus with their attacking firepower, I believe Norway will find a way to put at least a couple past the Italian defense.