Turkey vs. Hungary (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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Turkey will welcome Hungary to Istanbul for Thursday's first leg of their UEFA Nations League playoffs against Hungary.
The hosts finished in second place in Group B4, while Hungary finished in third position behind Germany and the Netherlands in League A3.
We say: Turkey 1-1 Hungary
Turkey will be keen to make full use of home advantage ahead of Sunday's trip to Hungary, but we think the hosts could be held to a draw in Thursday's contest, taking into account the fact they have failed to win their last five head-to-head matches.
> Nations League preview: Turkey vs Hungary
Armenia vs. Georgia (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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Armenia host neighbours Georgia in Yerevan on Thursday evening, as the two nations fight for the right to play in league B of the UEFA Nations League.
The hosts will begin life under the management of John van 't Schip, after the Dutchman was appointed head coach of the nation last month.
We say: Armenia 1-2 Georgia
Georgia have shown that they are capable of performing against top opposition, both in the European Championship and in their Nations League campaign.
Armenia can consider themselves somewhat fortunate to be in a promotion playoff, but there is an element of unpredictability about them, given that they have a new head coach.
We think that this match will be a close one, and that Georgia will take an advantage with them into the return leg at the weekend, and 2-1 should be enough for them to see the job through on Sunday.
> Nations League preview: Armenia vs Georgia
Ukraine vs. Belgium (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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On Thursday, Ukraine will lock horns with Belgium in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League playoff clash in Murcia.
Ukraine, who are unable to place at home due to the war with Russia, clinched second place in Group B1 to seal their spot in the playoffs, while the Red Devils finished in third positon in Group A2.
We say: Ukraine 1-1 Belgium
Belgium will be looking to start Garcia's tenure with a win, but we think they may have to settle for a draw in Murcia, especially as Ukraine have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent times after avoiding defeat in their final four matches of the league phase.
> Nations League preview: Ukraine vs Belgium
Greece vs. Scotland (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Vying for a place in the UEFA Nations League's top tier, Scotland and Greece will meet for the first leg of their promotion/relegation playoff on Thursday.
The Scots face a fight to retain their hard-earned League A status, as the hosts are intent on joining Europe's elite.
We say: Greece 2-1 Scotland
Although Scotland have most of their main men fit and ready this month - and they finally found a way to win at the end of 2024 - they may take a one-goal deficit back home.
Winners at Wembley a few months ago, Greece can be vibrant in the final third and are a tight unit, so the hosts should get their noses in front before heading to Hampden.
> Nations League preview: Greece vs Scotland
Austria vs. Serbia (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Austria host Serbia on Thursday evening, looking to gain an advantage in their two-legged playoff for the right to play in Group A of the UEFA Nations League.
The hosts qualified for the playoffs as a result of finishing second in Group B3, ahead of Slovenia and Kazakhstan, and behind the group winners, Norway.
We say: Austria 2-0 Serbia
Serbia have not been in great form over the past year, and they have a few key players out for this match, whereas Austria seem to be making some good progress under Rangnick.
They will need a comfortable lead to take with them into the tricky return leg, and we think that they can win by two goals here to set themselves up nicely for Sunday's crunch match.
> Nations League preview: Austria vs Serbia
Kosovo vs. Iceland (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Kosovo will host Iceland at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri on Thursday evening in the first of their two-legged matchup in the UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoffs.
The hosts will be competing for a place in League B after finishing second in their group, while Iceland are battling to avoid relegation to League C after placing third in their group.
We say: Kosovo 1-2 Iceland
While Kosovo are in significantly better form than Iceland, the visitors have won each of the last two meetings between the two teams, and we expect another victory for the visitors in this one.
> Nations League preview: Kosovo vs Iceland
Slovakia vs. Slovenia (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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With a place in League B of the UEFA Nations League up for grabs, Slovakia will host Slovenia in the first leg of their playoff tie on Thursday at Stadion Tehelne pole.
Slovakia can count themselves unfortunate to not have earned automatic promotion to League B given they finished second in their group with 13 points from a possible 18, while the visitors collected eight points from their six group games and finished second last in third place.
We say: Slovakia 2-1 Slovenia
Slovakia have been excellent in their Nations League campaign so far, and they should be confident of securing a positive result.
Additionally, Slovenia could encounter a number of difficulties on Thursday given they have been more porous defensively in the past weeks.
> Nations League preview: Slovakia vs Slovenia
Bulgaria vs. Rep. Ireland (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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The Republic of Ireland travel to Stadion Hristo Botev on Thursday to take on Bulgaria in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League clash, and the visitors will hope to avoid relegation to League C.
The hosts finished second in their League C group with nine points from six games, whereas Ireland finished second last in third place in their League B group with six points from their six fixtures in the competition.
We say: Bulgaria 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Bulgaria will hope to make the most of their home advantage, but they have struggled for goals in recent matches.
Though Ireland's form has been poor for some time, they will take confidence from their hosts' subpar record at Stadion Hristo Botev.
> Nations League preview: Bulgaria vs Rep. Ireland
Netherlands vs. Spain (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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UEFA Nations League holders Spain travel to De Kuip in Rotterdam to face the Netherlands in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday night.
The winners of this two-legged contest will face either Croatia or France in the semi-finals in June.
We say: Netherlands 1-2 Spain
First legs can often be cagey affairs and a closely-contested battle between these two European giants could well be on the cards on Thursday. Although the Netherlands have recently excelled on home soil, we are backing Spain to claim a first-leg advantage, albeit a narrow one.
> Nations League preview: Netherlands vs Spain
> Yamal starts, Asencio, Huijsen decision: Predicted Spain lineup vs. Netherlands
> Three Liverpool starters, De Jong decision: Predicted Netherlands lineup vs. Spain
Croatia vs. France (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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A repeat of the 2018 World Cup final takes centre stage at Stadion Poljud in Split on Thursday night as Croatia play host to France in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie.
The winners of this two-legged contest will face either the Netherlands or Spain in the semi-finals in June.
We say: Croatia 1-2 France
Although Croatia have fared better on home soil over the past 18 months, they will enter Thursday's contest as underdogs against a strong France outfit who have been boosted by the return of their star attacker and captain Mbappe.
First legs can often be tight affairs, but we are backing Les Bleus to come out on top and take a slender advantage into Sunday's second leg in Paris.
> Nations League preview: Croatia vs France
> Thuram out, Mbappe in: Predicted France lineup vs. Croatia
Denmark vs. Portugal (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Denmark welcome Portugal to Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie on Thursday night.
The winners of this two-legged contest will face either Italy or Germany in the semi-finals in June.
We say: Denmark 0-1 Portugal
There has been little to separate these two nations in recent meetings, with each of the last four victors in this fixture winning by just a one-goal margin (three wins for Portugal and one for Denmark).
Another closely-contested battle could be in store on Thursday, and while Denmark boast a strong home record, we are backing Ronaldo and co to come away with a narrow first-leg victory.
> Nations League preview: Denmark vs Portugal
> Ronaldo start and debut for Chelsea-bound teen? Predicted Portugal lineup vs. Denmark
> Cristiano Ronaldo's record vs. Denmark
Italy vs. Germany (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Seeking a place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, European heavyweights Italy and Germany will convene at San Siro on Thursday, for the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
While the Germans went unbeaten on their way to topping League A Group 3, their Italian counterparts were runners-up to France in Group 2; now, they meet for the first time since a spectacular seven-goal clash in 2022.
We say: Italy 2-1 Germany
Facing a slightly weakened Germany squad, Italy can gain a precious first-leg advantage, as they now have several goal threats to call upon.
The Azzurri are always tougher to beat on home turf, but the tie will be far from over before Sunday's second leg.
> Nations League preview: Italy vs Germany
> Will Kean and Retegui be paired by Spalletti? Predicted Italy lineup vs. Germany
> Who replaces Wirtz, Havertz? Predicted Germany Nations League lineup vs. Italy
Matt Law
