by Ifeanyi Ufomadu
The first international break of 2025 is here! It’s time to temporarily switch from club football and dive into thrilling national team action.
As usual, our online betting community is in for a treat, with the usual expert betting tips and an exclusive bet code to maximize your winnings attached to this post.
Croatia secured a spot in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals despite failing to win their last three group matches (D2, L1). Their reward? A tough showdown against France, who topped Group A2 after a 3-1 victory over Italy in November.
While Croatia boasts big-game experience, having reached the last Nations League final, their H2H record against France is poor, with just one win in their last ten meetings (D3, L6). Meanwhile, Les Bleus are unbeaten in their last five Nations League games (W4, D1) and are chasing history as the first team to win the competition twice. With their strong form and the return of captain Kylian Mbappé, backing France to win looks like a smart bet prediction.
This is the standout clash of the Nations League quarterfinals, as the Netherlands host defending champions Spain in the first leg. The Dutch will aim to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2023 but must sharpen up defensively after conceding seven goals in six group games.
Spain, however, are in formidable form, losing just once in their last 25 international games (W22, D2). Under Luis de la Fuente, they’ve climbed to third in FIFA’s world rankings and are eyeing the top spot here. With five consecutive Nations League wins and a squad packed with world-class talent—including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Dani Olmo—Spain looks better-equipped to take control of this tie.
Spain-Netherlands games have gained in significance since the 2010 World Cup and we expect no different from this high-profile quarterfinal match.
Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images
The expanded Nations League format has given Italy a shot at redemption, despite finishing second behind France in Group 2. Now, they face a blockbuster two-legged tie against Germany, starting at the San Siro.
Italy’s struggles against Germany are well-documented - they haven’t beaten them since 2012 when Balotelli scored THAT goal, and their 3-1 loss to France in November exposed defensive flaws they can't afford in this clash.
Germany, meanwhile, are absolutely flying under Julian Nagelsmann. Their only defeat since 2024 came at the Euros against eventual champions Spain, and they’ve been ruthless in attack, racking up big wins over Bosnia & Herzegovina and Hungary in the group stage.
They’ll be missing key players like Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz here, but their attacking firepower remains dangerous with Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and Karim Adeyemi in the squad . Given their form, an open game with plenty of goals seems likely, making it a smart way to add extra value to your betting stake.
Denmark started their Nations League campaign strong with back-to-back wins over Serbia and Switzerland, but their form dipped as they failed to win any of their last four group matches (D2, L2). That leaves them with zero momentum heading into this two-legged showdown against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
In contrast, Portugal cruised through Group 1 (W4, D2), only dropping points against Scotland and Croatia on their way to the quarterfinals. Now, they’re just 180 minutes away from a first Nations League semifinal appearance since winning the tournament in 2019.
Ronaldo is also set to extend his world-record 218th international cap and will aim to add to his competition-leading five Nations League goals this season. With Denmark winning just two of their last 15 meetings (W2, D2, L11), Portugal looks well-positioned to take control of the first leg.
For punters looking for smart betting tips, backing Portugal to win this opener seems like a strong choice.
After the heartbreak of the Euro 2024 final, England embarks on a new World Cup qualification campaign under Thomas Tuchel. The former Chelsea boss, who led the club to Champions League glory in 2021, steps into international management for the first time. His immediate task? Ensuring England doesn’t suffer the embarrassment of missing a World Cup for the first time since 1994.
Tuchel’s debut comes against Albania, a team that showed promise at Euro 2024 despite exiting in the group stage. However, their recent form is concerning, with just one win in their last five internationals (D1, L3). History is also against them - Albania has lost all six previous meetings with England, managing just one goal in those encounters.
With England eager to make a statement and Albania struggling, our bet of the day is a comfortable England win as Tuchel kicks off his tenure in style.
Poland has endured a tough few years, finishing bottom of Group D at Euro 2024 and suffering relegation from the Nations League despite the presence of Lewandowski, a bonafide world-class forward, in their ranks. But with their World Cup qualification campaign kicking off against 142nd-ranked Lithuania, this is the perfect opportunity to snap their five-game winless run.
Lithuania arrives as clear underdogs, having never qualified for a major tournament and managing just two wins in their last 18 World Cup qualifiers. Their current form offers little hope, with seven straight defeats piling on the pressure.
With Poland looking to reset and Lithuania struggling, it’s hard to see anything other than a comfortable home win, with captain Robert Lewandowski likely to make his mark on the scoresheet.
Romania hasn’t featured at a World Cup since 1998, but with a favorable qualification group including San Marino, Cyprus, Austria, and Bosnia, they are well-positioned to end their 27-year absence from the tournament.
Their campaign begins against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team they have dominated in past meetings, winning four of their six encounters. Romania also enters this clash in red-hot form, having won six straight games, netting 18 goals along the way.
Bosnia, on the other hand, is struggling. They haven’t won since October 2023, losing 10 of their last 12 matches. Heavy defeats to England (3-0), Germany (5-2), and the Netherlands (7-0) further underline their defensive frailties.
With Romania firing on all cylinders and Bosnia leaking goals, our bet prediction is another high-scoring affair, with Romania taking full advantage.
After a shaky start to their World Cup qualifying campaign (L1, D3), Brazil has found their rhythm under Dorival Junior, losing just one of their last six qualifiers (W3, D2). Now sitting fifth in the CONMEBOL table, they remain on course for automatic qualification, holding a five-point cushion over Bolivia in seventh.
Colombia, meanwhile, enjoyed an eight-match unbeaten start to the qualifiers but have hit a rough patch, losing three of their last four games. With six matches left, they need at least five more points to secure their World Cup spot.
History favors Brazil—Colombia has never won on Brazilian soil, and with the hosts losing just once at home in the past five years, they remain a formidable force. However, this matchup could be a tight affair, making a draw a tempting option.
For those looking for smart betting tips, a low-scoring game might be the way to go. And for the best odds, check out the best betting site in Nigeria to maximize your returns.
Raphinha: The Brazilian winger is enjoying the best form of his career and has a valid chance at Ballon d’Or nomination if his amazing run of form continues.
Luis Diaz: Despite a slight decline for his club side, the Liverpool wide forward is still Colombia’s key player, with his speed, trickery and ability to produce in key moments for his country absolutely crucial to their hopes here.