Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with seven experts in football betting and get their opinions on the hot topic of the week.
With the Champions League back in its ancestral home in Madrid and Nottingham Forest back in the big time, this past weekend effectively marked the end of major club football for the summer, but there is still a couple of weeks of top-class action to look forward to as the UEFA Nations League kicks off.
We asked seven experts who their picks for the 2022/23 edition are:
Young La Roja squad tipped to shine
Alex Wrigley
Sports editor at Free Super Tips
My money is on Spain. They might not have the easiest of groups but they are better off than Italy, Germany or England in what could be described as a group of death, while the young Luis Enrique side showed a huge amount of potential in Euro 2020 last year.
La Roja are blessed with both an abundance of young talent and plenty of experience to guide them, with the likes of Ansu Fati, Pedri and Gavi all showing signs of being stars of the near future.
Aaron Ashley
Sports journalist at Racing Post
At the prices I’d side with Spain, who are favoured by the draw having landed in a group alongside Portugal, Switzerland and Czech Republic.
There was plenty to like about Spain’s run to the last four of Euro 2020 and I think they shaped like the best team in the competition, having dominated large parts of their semi-final showdown with Italy before losing on penalties. They had 70 per cent possession and won the shot count 16 to seven on that occasion.
Luis Enrique has a young squad – Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres and Eric García to name just four – that should have come on plenty for that spin, while the experience in midfield of Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara and Rodri is irreplaceable.
Spain could again be the dominant force of international football in the years to come and, although not having a renowned goalscorer is their downfall, there is still plenty to like about their chances.
Liam Flin
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Reigning champions France will naturally attract plenty of attention but Spain continue to evolve under Luis Enrique and are the standout bet at around 6-1 to lift the trophy.
They came just over half hour away from winning the last edition of the Nations League, ultimately losing to France 2-1 in the final, but that will not be the last we hear of this La Roja generation.
Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati and Dani Olmo offer a seriously exciting creative threat and Spain have a fairly comfortable draw with Portugal, Switzerland and Czech Republic in their group. Provided they start with a decent result in the Iberian derby, they should progress from their section and look a great bet to go the distance.
Henry Hardwicke
Sports journalist at Racing Post
You can understand why France are favourites after being handed a pretty kind group stage draw, but I’d rather side with Spain at a bigger price.
La Roja beat an all-conquering Italy side in the semi-finals of this competition last year, before a narrow 2-1 defeat to France in the final. There’s little to fear from a section containing Portugal, Switzerland and Czech Republic and there is also the potential for improvement from Luis Enrique’s men.
A youthful squad containing the likes of Gavi, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Pedri has plenty of room for development and I expect Spain to go one better than last year.
Jack Ogalbe
Sports journalist at ICS
The draw has clearly worked out well for some teams but England’s place in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Germany and Italy means all three of those sides will be at a disadvantage.
Could that mean the winner of Group A3 is battled-hardened come next summer’s Finals? I’m not sure, and Spain’s favourable draw means they stand out.
The World Cup in Qatar may come too soon for La Roja’s exciting young side but this type of tournament is ideal for development and with every chance they’ll top Group A2 at a canter, it could be a successful summer of 2023 for Pedri, Ansu Fati et al.
Netherlands and Italy also attracting interest
Rob Eddy
Sports journalist at ICS
Of the market leaders, I would rather be on a young Spain side than France, England, Belgium or Italy but I fancy a bigger price and think a determined Germany side are becoming a force again and are tempting at double digits.
Their group has its perils though so I am siding with the Netherlands at around 10/1 with the Oranje on an upward curve, despite their surprise last-16 defeat to Czech Republic at Euro 2020. Group dangers Belgium are going the other way and Louis van Gaal’s men can progress from an otherwise weak-looking section into the knockouts where anything can happen.
The core of the squad looks strong with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay, and they could be a match for anyone.
Aaron Rogan
Sports journalist at Free Super Tips
The Nations League obviously doesn’t match up to the status of the World Cup, but for Italy it’s the only show in town right now. Italy bounced back from their 2018 World Cup absence to win the Euros and I can see them turning to this tournament to make up for failing to reach Qatar.
The Italians’ style of play suits facing stronger sides who take more chances, so in theory the Nations League should suit them. An inability to beat dogged sides like Northern Ireland and North Macedonia cost them a World Cup spot, but the format of this tournament works better for Mancini’s side, as their attack is at its best against more adventurous teams.
While England and Germany will use these games to warm up for Qatar, the European champions should be focused on the Nations League trophy. At 8/1, you can get good value on Italy landing more silverware under Mancini’s watch.
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