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Betting: France the team to beat in the UEFA Nations League

Despite being crowned World Cup champions only in July, France are not the favourites to lift the inaugural UEFA Nations Cup trophy when it kicks off this September.

Les Bleus have been drawn in a difficult group alongside Germany and the Netherlands in what looks like the ‘Group of Death,’ making them third favourites at 9/2 (5.50) with William Hill.

However, considering the Germans’ disastrous World Cup campaign and the decline in Dutch fortunes over the last few years, Didier Deschamps’ star-studded squad could well represent strong value at that price.

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Indeed, Joachim Low’s team is unlikely to attract much attention at relatively narrow 11/2 (6.50) odds following the group stage elimination in Russia, while the Oranje are hefty 33/1 (34.00) outsiders after failing to even qualify for the last two major tournaments.

Spain certainly don’t look like particularly convincing 10/3 (4.33) favourites based on their performance at the World Cup, with group opponents Croatia 14/1 (15.00) and England 8/1 (9.00) having proved far from pushovers this summer.

Runners-up and semi-finalists respectively at the World Cup, Zlatko Dadic’s men and the Three Lions will certainly ensure the Spanish do not have everything their own way in Group 4.

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On the other hand, Belgium will be expected to dominate a group that also contains Iceland 66/1 (67.00) and Switzerland 25/1 (26.00) after their impressive showing at the World Cup, hence relatively short 7/2 (4.50) odds on them going all the way.

Italy have a lot of work to do to justify their 8/1 (9.00) price as they go through a transitional period under new boss Roberto Mancini, having failed to make it to Russia this summer.

The Azzurri will have to first come through a group that contains potential 16/1 (17.00) dark horses in Portugal and a Poland 40/1 (41.00) team looking to bounce back from an underwhelming World Cup campaign.

Betting Banner - Best Bet France to win the UEFA Nations League at 9/2 (5.50) for a 1pt stake with William Hill William Hill footer
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