Nations League 2024/25: Group A2 betting preview

Football fans are in for some intriguing matchups as Group A2 of the Nations League 2024/25 gets underway as several of the continent's big-hitters prepare to trade blows. 

Here's to hoping Belgium's meeting with France on Monday 9th September is more attention-grabbing than the pair's encounter in Germany earlier this summer!

Nations League Group A2 teams

Italy 

The Italians' hopes of successfully defending their European Championship title were quashed by a last 16 defeat to Switzerland in Germany three months ago. 

Luciano Spalletti's side had initially navigated progression to the knockout stages with a stunning last-gasp equaliser versus Croatia in their final group outing. However, they were comfortably outgunned by an impressive Switzerland side that would also take the then tournament favourites to penalties in the quarter-finals. 

The loss marked the end to a miserable chapter in Italian football which had also seen the Azzurri fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, despite winning the delayed Euro 2020 just over 18 months prior. 

Spalletti could be given the benefit of the doubt given it was his first dabble in tournament football at international level but another unconvincing showing over the coming months could see another change in face in the Italian dugout. 

Belgium

The Red Devils' Euro 2024 showing could have very well been the nail in the coffin of what's left of Belgium's so-called golden generation. A stunning 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opening group game set the tone for their tournament. 

Though they would, just about, find a way out of what appeared a relatively straight-forward Group E from the offset, Belgium were uninspiring in their 1-0 defeat to France in the last 16.

Star striker Romelu Lukaku had shone in qualifying, scoring more than any other player, yet failed to find the net on a single occasion in Germany. 

Like Spalletti, manager Domenico Tedesco was also savouring his first try at an international tournament and so remains in charge ahead of the commencement of their Nations League campaign this weekend.

Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku was among the favourites to win the Euro 2024 Golden Boot yet failed to score a single goal in Germany this summer. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

France 

There's a recurring theme throughout this preview. Despite sitting among the favourites to win Euro 2024 prior to the tournament kick-off, France also underwhelmed with their appearances in Germany. 

Didier Deschamps' men went deeper than the two sides discussed above but were unable to move past an exuberant Spain side who would eventually go on to be crowned champions. 

An early injury to talisman and captain Kylian Mbappe didn't help, mind. The Frenchman suffered a fractured nose in their opening match against Austria and would be forced to play the rest of the tournament while adorning a protective face mask. His goal from the spot against Poland at least saw him score at a European Championships for the first time, though it would remain his only effort in the competition.

Since the tournament's conclusion, much discussion has centred around Deschamps' suitability to lead the national team moving forward. France had failed to reach the final for a second successive European Championships after losing to Switzerland on penalties at the last 16 stage three years ago. 

Then again, his glittering success France have enjoyed since taking over in 2012 makes for a strong argument on his part. Not only did they win the 2018 World Cup under his tutelage, but the country also reached the final in Qatar four years later and were runners-up at Euro 2016, which was held on French soil. Deschamps also steered France to Nations League success in 2020-21. 

Crucially, the French Football Federation have confirmed the 55-year-old will remain in charge for the remainder of his contract, which expires after the 2026 World Cup.

France manager Didier Deschamps will remain in charge of the national team until 2026. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Israel

A successful 2022-23 Nations League campaign has seen Israel secure a spot in tier A for this year's iteration.

They impressed by finishing in top spot in Group B2 last time out, remaining unbeaten across their four matches against Iceland and Albania. 

Ran Beh Shimon's men failed to secure a spot at Euro 2024 after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Iceland in the play-offs and predictably come in heavy favourites to finish bottom (1/6) in an incredibly tough group here. 

Odds Now's best bet for Group A2

The group sets to see a shootout between France, Belgium and Italy for top spot, with Israel surely destined to finish in fourth place. 

Deschamps' France understandably come in firm favourites to come out on top - they possess the strongest squad out of the four and also went further than both Belgium and Italy at Euro 2024. I certainly wouldn't be backing them at odds of 5/11, though. I think their matches with Italy and Belgium will be more competitive than that price suggests. 

In search of a betting angle here, I think it could be worth dropping a small stake on Italy finishing first at a best price of 9/2. The Italians impressed in their previous Nations League campaign, finishing top in a group which featured other big-hitters in England, Germany and a strong Hungary side.

Italy have also won three of their last four meetings with Belgium. An equally strong return against Tedesco's men this time around will go a long way to replicating their 2022-23 form this time around. 

Honestly, if I was asked with a gun to my head, I'd pick France for a first-placed finish, but the value play here is with the Azzurri.