Europe UEFA Nations League (17-19 November)

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Italy vs France Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Italy:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Kean

France:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Rabiot; Olise, Zaire-Emery, Barcola; Thuram

Italy will welcome France to Stadio San Siro on Sunday as both national teams are chasing the top of League A Group 2. The Azzurri are currently first with 13 points. They managed to beat Israel home and away, collected four points in two games with Belgium and won 3:1 in France. Considering these results, even a narrow defeat is acceptable for Italy here. Coach Luciano Spalletti is doing an excellent job and I believe the fans are satisfied. However, the fans could be a big problem for Italy as they already gave Gianluigi Donnarrumma a hostile reception on his return to San Siro, throwing fake money in the direction of the Italy goalkeeper. In addition, Donnarumma was booed by Italy supporters all throughout the match against Spain in October last year when he returned to the San Siro. The majority of them could repeat their attitude and this is a problem. Spalletti has additional issues as some players are injured. The injury list features defender Riccardo Calafiori from Arsenal, midfielder Samuele Ricci from Torino, plus long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini.

France were held to a home goalless draw in the match against Israel. It was a big disappointment for the fans and must now win by two goals in Milan in order to finish first. Knowing the Italians are masters in "killing the game," it won't be easy at all. Perhaps the absence of Real Madrid's superstar Kylian Mbappe is the key reasons for their poor performance against the weakest side in the group. Randal Kolo Muani lead Les Bleus' attack, but he failed to score. Inter Milan star Marcus Thuram was introduced in the 78th minute, but didn't make a difference either. Many experts think France could have scoring problems without Griezmann and Giroud after both strikers decided to retire from international football. However, coach Didier Deschamps has to find adequate replacements for the mentioned duo. The absence of Mbappe makes the situation even worse, it is a huge handicap. But there is more, Wesley Fofana, Ousmane Dembele, Loic Bade and Aurelien Tchouameni are also sidelined by injury. Kingsley Coman was called up as replacement and he could improve the efficiency.

Italy vs France Prediction:

Italy have the poll-position in the group. They will try to avoid the defeat to finish the campaign on the top. Even a narrow defeat guarantees the first place. France will try to win, but they have "a mountain to climb." Les Bleus were toothless against Israel three days ago and the match finished 0:0. Italy boss Spalletti will try to "kill the game", so I expect a low scoring encounter at San Siro.

Italy vs France Pick: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.70 with Everygame

 

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Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Netherlands Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Bosnia-Herzegovina:
Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Bicakcic, Barisic, Burnic; Tahirovic, Huseinbasic; Hajradinovic; Dzeko, Demirovic

Netherlands:
Flekken; Rensch, De Ligt, De Vrij, Hato; Wieffer, Timber; Frimpong, Koopmeiners, Lang; Brobbey

Both national teams have nothing to play for, except a pride in the final round of UEFA Nations League group fixtures. Bosnia-Herzegovina will finish the group as last placed, something that was very much expected considering the opponents in Group 3. Germany and Netherlands are class above the Bosnian national team, while Hungary is very strong in the last period. Nevertheless, the fact that Bosnia suffered their heaviest-ever defeat in a 7:0 loss in Germany three days ago frustrated the fans. Coach Sergej Barbarez is feeling a huge pressure, as well as the players. Most probably he will make lot of changes in the starting eleven. One that will definitely start from the first minute is defender Nikola Katic, who skipped the last match due to a suspension. Jusuf Gazibegovic and Nihad Mujakic, who failed to make the squad for Germany due to injuries, are rated as doubtful. The biggest question is about Edin Dzeko. The veteran striker was surprisingly named on the bench at the weekend. The 38-year-old attacker did not earn any minutes on Saturday night and could therefore start here.

Netherlands are second on the table and this match is irrelevant for them considering the table. They were fantastic last Saturday when beat Hungary 4:0 in Amsterdam. Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo both scored from the penalty spot in the first half, before Denzel Dumfries and Teun Koopmeiners netted in the second. But something else should be mention - the Hungarian players were in shock following a worrying medical emergency involving assistant coach Adam Szalai in the first half. The fast and professional reaction from the medical staff saved the life of the former Magyars international. Saturday's victory ended a three-game winless run for Oranje in the Nations League and guaranteed the second place. Coach Koeman will also make lot of changes in the starting XI, if not all eleven. Captain Virgil van Dijk has returned to Liverpool due to minor injury, but that doesn't mean the defense is not good - players like Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij are top defenders, while Jeremie Frimpong, Noa Lang and Teun Koopmeiners are able to upset the Bosnian defenders.

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Netherlands Prediction:

I expect both teams to score at Stadium Bilino Polje in Zenica. This match is something like a "friendly one." Everything is clear in the group, Germany are first, Netherlands second, Hungary third and Bosnia-Herzegovina last. Both teams play only for pride, so I think there will be goals on both sides.

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Netherlands Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 2.07 with Pinnacle