Nations League Betting Tips: Sweden set for promotion after strong World Cup showing

The first ever UEFA Nations League is approaching kicking off as domestic leagues around Europe take their first international break of the season.

World Cup winners France are joint-favourites at 4/1 (5.0) to lift the inaugural trophy, with Spain also available at the same price.

Although backing the outright winner offers a more attractive return than specific group winners, delving in League B perhaps offers the best value.

Group 2 sees surprise World Cup quarter-final pair Russia and Sweden drawn together along with Turkey, and Sweden look a solid shot at 13/8 (2.63) to win the section and get promoted to League A.

Janne Andersson’s men defied the odds just to reach Russia, let alone get to the last eight, after coming second in a qualifying group consisting of both France and Netherlands before beating Italy 1-0 in a two-legged play-off.

Things did not get easier for them at the World Cup itself as they fell to a heart-breaking defeat to Germany, but they were able to beat South Korea, Mexico and Switzerland before succumbing to England in the quarter-finals.

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The squad Sweden have named for their first Nations League fixture against Turkey is almost identical to the one from Russia, with only the retired Ola Toivonen missing out, which should provide the Blagult with a semblance of continuity.

Russia will certainly provide tough opposition as they come off their best World Cup finish since 1982. Although beating Spain on penalties in the Last 16 was an upset for the ages, some of their run can perhaps be attributable to hosting the tournament which provided them with more suppport than normal.

Finally, Turkey were in a state of disarray during their 2018 World Cup qualifying as they finished fourth in their group behind Iceland, Croatia and Ukraine, with two of their four wins coming against lowly Kosovo, and there is little suggest that will change for this tournament.

The 13/8 (2.63) on Sweden to win the group looks tremendous value ahead of the maiden edition of the tournament, then, as countries look to make good accounts of themselves ahead of Euro 2020.

Sweden to win League B Group 2 at 13/8 (2.63) for a 2pt stake at bet365