In The Mixer: Experts backing Spain for more silverware
Sports Journalist at FST, Gareth qualified as a journalist after graduating from university and spent over a decade as a freelance broadcast journalist, commentator and tipster before joining FST. Now living in Manchester, he is a long suffering Bolton Wanderers fan who also enjoys boxing, the NBA, tennis and rugby league.
In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with our team of football betting experts and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.
The Nations League gets underway this week so we asked our team of experts to pick their winners.
For once, there was a general agreement with just one member of the team opting not to back newly-crowned European champions Spain for further international honours.
Jamie Griffith
It is hard to look past Spain. The reigning champions won every match en route to winning Euro 2024 and Luis de la Fuente’s men should only improve with time – a worrying fact for their rivals.
Young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were exceptional in Germany this summer and the wingers will only get better while the settled nature of their squad gives La Roja the edge over the likes of Italy and Germany, who are both still in transition.
France were disappointing at the Euros and may not improve enough to reverse the form with Spain, who have the added bonus of being placed in an easy group.
Aidan Perkins
France are favourites but their disappointing showing in the Euros means they can easily be overlooked and Spain stand out in the market.
La Roja were comfortably the best team in Germany this summer and deservedly triumphed.
Now they can follow up with more glory in the Nations League, where they have what should be straightforward group to negotiate against Switzerland, Denmark and Serbia.
Spain have the right blend of youth and experience throughout their side – exciting teenager Lamine Yamal is only going to get better, while holding midfielder Rodri is the best in the world in that position.
Will Maxwell
The top three nations in the outright markets for the Nations League are France, Germany and Spain and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to back a side other than La Roja for success.
France looked stale and lacked creativity at the European Championships while Germany, who failed to make it past the quarter-finals may take some time to fill the void left by newly-retired star Toni Kroos.
Spain have experience and youthful talent in abundance and were deserving continental winners in July. Should they reach the finals, La Roja should have little trouble adding to their trophy cabinet.
Henry Hardwicke
I think Germany are worth consideration, but it’s hard to ignore Spain at 6-1.
La Roja are the current European champions and it’s a squad which gives the impression of improvement.
Young stars Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Nico Williams should continue to progress and that exciting talent is blended with the class, quality and experience of midfield maestro Rodri.
The group-stage draw looks fine and any doubts over the ability of manager Luis de la Fuente were answered in the summer.
Liam Flin
Spain are the obvious pick at 6-1 following their Euro 2024 heroics and their squad is only going to get better.
The nucleus of the La Roja team is young and Luis de la Fuente knows how to get the best out of them, while the fact they won the last Nations League shows this is a competition they take seriously.
But punters might want to consider splitting stakes on Spain and Germany, who were the two best teams at the Euros.
Germany were the only team to take Spain to extra-time at Euro 2024, they played some of the best football and they have a similarly progressive coach in Julian Nagelsmann.
Tom McGarry
Spain were the standout team at the Euros and are the defending UEFA Nations League champions so, if they maintain their recent levels, it is difficult to oppose Luis de la Fuente’s side.
According to the prices, La Roja’s main rivals for the title are France and Germany, two sides they beat on their way to European Championship glory this summer, while other expected challenges, such as Portugal, underwhelmed at those finals.
A group that also contains Denmark, Switzerland and Serbia should hold no fears for Spain, who look best placed to add another piece of silverware to their growing list of accolades.
Aaron Rogan
Portugal stand out for me as 7/1 fourth-favourites, as they’ve been handed a kind group containing Croatia, Poland and Scotland. That should prove little trouble for the inaugural Nations League winners.
Portugal finished as group runners-up to the eventual champions in the two editions of this tournament since they won it in 2019.
The Portuguese took favourites France to penalties at Euro 2024 despite Roberto Martinez failing to get the best out of a talented squad. He may have a mixed track record at major tournaments, but with less pressure around the Nations League, his side should shine.
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