The UEFA Nations League tables are starting to take shape across all groups. Teams now have a clearer idea of their strengths and weaknesses.
The big nations are up and running. Germany remain the exception, with their early results leaving them in a difficult position.
Spain have made an excellent start. La Roja opened their campaign with a 3-2 win over England at Wembley. They then produced another strong display in a 4-1 victory over Croatia. Spain currently lead Group A3.
England responded to their opening defeat with a 2-0 win away to Czechia. The Three Lions now face Croatia in another important Group A3 fixture.
France have also made a perfect start. They won their opening two matches and kept clean sheets in both games.
Croatia vs England, Saturday, October 3 at 19:45 (BST)
England suffered their first defeat after a strong run following the FIFA World Cup. Spain beat them 3-2 at Wembley.
The result could have gone England’s way. The hosts created enough chances to take something from the game.
Defensive errors hurt England. Harry Kane also missed a penalty during the match.
Thomas Tuchel’s team responded well against Czechia. England won 2-0 away from home.
The Czech defence struggled during the game. Pavel Šulc then received a red card for a high challenge on Elliot Anderson.
Croatia also have three points from their first two games. They opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Czechia.
This match carries major importance for both teams. A win would give Croatia a chance to move above England in Group A3.
The match will take place behind closed doors because of disciplinary sanctions against Croatia. UEFA imposed the punishment after incidents involving supporters during Croatia’s previous Nations League campaign.
Team news
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to England’s starting XI against Czechia. He produced a strong display and assisted Anthony Gordon’s opening goal.
The Real Madrid defender should keep his place against Croatia.
England have several absences. Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento have all withdrawn from the squad.
Tuchel still has plenty of options. Jude Bellingham came off the bench against Czechia. The midfielder should return to the starting XI here.
Ezri Konsa recovered from a minor issue and made the bench against Czechia. He could start against Croatia.
Lewis Hall also returned from injury. The Newcastle United defender played the full match against Czechia.
Croatia have no major injury concerns ahead of the game. However, the coaching staff still have decisions to make over the starting XI.
Luka Modrić started on the bench against Spain. The Croatia captain could return to the starting XI against England.
Head-to-head
England have won the last three meetings with Croatia.
England also beat Croatia 4-2 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net.
Overall, England have lost only three of their 12 meetings with Croatia.
Match odds
Croatia are 31/10. The draw is priced at 14/5, while England are odds-on favourites at 10/11.
Suggested bet
England have issues at the back and we think they are likely to concede. But a closely fought 2-1 win for the Three Lions seems the most likely outcome.
France vs Italy, Friday, October 2 at 19:45 (BST)
Arguably the standout fixture of Matchday 3, with two giants, France and Italy, set to go head-to-head.
Roberto Mancini’s second spell as Italy manager started with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Belgium. It was a familiar sight for Azzurri fans, as Mancini’s men hardly produced anything of substance going forward.
But a much-changed side brought the best out of Italy on a tough trip to Turkey, as they brushed aside Turkiye 4-1, thanks to goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode and Pio Esposito.
Mancini’s men will have to be at their best against France, who have made a perfect start under Zidane with two wins and two clean sheets.
France have also won both games by a one-goal margin, making this a much tougher test for Italy.
Team news
Kylian Mbappe suffered a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee in the same minute in which he scored against Turkiye. The Real Madrid superstar is now expected to be out for two weeks.
There are no other major injury concerns for Zidane ahead of this game. However, France are expected to make changes to the XI that started the 1-0 win over Belgium.
Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise are both in line to start after featuring from the bench against Belgium.
Dayot Upamecano and Maxence Lacroix are expected to partner at the back, with Liverpool youngster Jeremy Jacquet likely to drop to the bench.
Mancini has every reason to stick with the same XI he named against Turkiye after a strong attacking display.
That said, Nicolo Barella and Diego Coppola were left out of the squad for the trip to Turkiye, but both are expected to feature against France.
Head-to-head
Italy have dominated this fixture historically, winning 19 of their 39 head-to-head meetings against France, while losing 12 times and drawing eight.
However, the recent record tells a very different story. France have lost just three times to Italy in their last 16 meetings since 1982, winning 10 of those games.
It highlights the contrasting trajectories of the two sides, with France dominating international football while Italy have struggled, missing out on three consecutive World Cups.
Match odds
France are odds-on favourites at 4/9, with the draw at 17/4 and Italy at 6/1.
Suggested bet
Italy have shown improvement under Roberto Mancini, but we think this game against France may have come too soon for the Azzurri.
The hosts have too much quality and should have enough to get the job done.
France to keep a clean sheet and win 2-0.
Spain vs Czechia, Saturday, October 3 at 19:45 (BST)
Red-hot Spain will look to continue their jaw-dropping form when they host Czechia in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Nations League 2026/27.
The world champions made light work of Croatia in their last game, securing a scintillating 4-1 win. That result sees Spain sit top of Group C, with Croatia and England locked on three points.
Spain are on a historic 40-game unbeaten streak, with their last defeat coming in a 1-0 loss against Colombia in an international friendly on March 22, 2024.
During this run, La Roja have won Euro 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Luis de la Fuente’s team are also on a nine-game winning run since playing out a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde at the FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Czechia have suffered defeats in their opening two games of the UEFA Nations League.
Overall, they have lost three of their last four games heading into this match, with their most recent outing ending in a 2-0 home defeat against England in the Nations League.
Team news
Spain have reported no injury concerns ahead of this game, but expect some changes to the line-up from their last outing.
After starting the first two games in the Nations League, Lamine Yamal could feature from the bench, while Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo should also get a chance after remaining unused against Croatia.
Former Manchester City centre-back Aymeric Laporte is also in contention for a start.
Czechia are also expected to make changes to their starting XI, but have no major injury concerns ahead of this game.
Defensive midfielder Pavel Šulc will miss the game following his red card against England in the last match.
Head-to-head
Italy may be going through a difficult run of results, but they have had the better of their recent meetings with Belgium.
The Azzurri have remained unbeaten against the Red Devils since 2015, winning four of their five encounters during that period, including victories at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Match odds
Spain are overwhelming favourites at 2/17, with the draw priced at 10/1 and Czechia huge outsiders at 25/1.
Suggested bet
This is expected to be a one-sided affair, with Spain likely to continue their free-flowing, attacking football. La Roja should have too much for Czechia, and a 3-0 win looks the most likely outcome.
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