Nations League 2024/25: Group A3 betting preview

Germany and Hungary must be sick of the sight of each other after sharing a group in international competition once again. 

The pair faced-off in the 2022/23 Nations League before colliding in the group stage of Euro 2024 this summer. They are joined by Netherlands and Bosnia & Herzegovina in a competitive-looking group A3. 

Odds Now's Brad Walker runs you through all the key details to see where the best value might lie.

Nations League Group A3 teams

Germany 

A first home tournament in 16 years didn't quite end how Germany would have hoped. A crushing last-minute winner from Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino confirmed their exit from Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage. 

Despite the disappointing finish, Julian Nagelsmann's side still showed an abundance of promise after a turbulent period in German football. Prior to Euro 2024, the country had 

Exhilerating young talents in Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz shone in a side which looked as though it might only be getting started on the international stage. 

Manager Nagelsmann was initially planning to vacate the role following the tournament's conclusion but announced in April that he would remain in charge beyond the Championships in his home nation this summer, remaining in control of what promises to be one of the most exciting international sides the continent has to offer moving forward.

Netherlands

Despite taking control of the Dutch national team over two separate spells, Euro 2024 was Ronald Koeman's first taste at a major tournament as a manager. He'd have snatched your hands off if you'd told him his side would finish above France in the group stage, though wouldn't have foreseen Austria as the nation who would muster a first-place finish in Group B. 

They were understandably disappointed by their 2-1 defeat to England in the semi-finals, which featured a questionable VAR decision to award the Three Lions a penalty after Xavi Simons' opener. Harry Kane duly equalised from the spot before substitute Ollie Watkins broke Oranje hearts with a last-gasp winner in the dying moments of normal time. 

Nevertheless, reaching the final four of a tournament for the first time in eight years can be marked down as a success, particularly given the potential banana skins that laid in wait for them in the group stage. 

Koeman will now be hoping to continue this momentum in the Nations League before World Cup 2026 qualifying begins in March. The Dutch have history in the competition, finishing runners-up in the tournament's first ever iteration back in 2019, also under Koeman's watch.

The Netherlands were defeated by England at the semi-final stage of Euro 2024. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Hungary 

Initially touted as one of the team's to watch this summer, Marco Rossi's side underwhelmed with their performances in Germany. A 1-0 victory over Scotland in their final group match wasn't enough to see them proceed as one of the best third-ranked sides. Instead, the Hungarians bowed out in the group stage for a second successive time at a European Championships. 

It was their efforts in the previous iteration of the Nations League which first caught the eye. Despite being drawn in a group with big-hitters Italy, Germany and England, Rossi's men fought to a second-placed finish. The run saw them record resounding victories over the Three Lions, including a stunning 4-0 win at Molineux in June 2022. 

Hungary also picked up four points across their two matches with Germany, though did come up short in a 2-0 loss to Nagelsmann and co at Euro 2024 this summer. 

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Sergej Barbarez's preparation for the Nations League has hardly been convincing. The nation have lost each of their last six matches across all competitions, failing to score three times during that period. 

The 2014 World Cup is the only time Bosnia and Herzegovina have qualified for a major tournament as an independent country. Their prospects of a strong finish here are therefore slim - in fact, they come in at a best price of 5/6 to finish bottom.

Bosnia's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign may have flattered to deceive - they picked up just nine points across 10 matches - but the country's remarkable record in the 2022/23 Nations League saw them earn a spot in the play-offs. Though they would be denied a place in the finals due to a 1-0 defeat to Iceland, Bosnia can take hope from a first-place finish in Group B3 two years ago.

Odds Now's best bet for Group A3

Like with Group A2, there appears to be a clear favourite to finish bottom in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Any of the three remaining sides could be in with a shout to record a first-placed finish, though. 

Sure, Hungary's performances at Euro 2024 pails in comparison to that of their German and Dutch counterparts, but the history of Marco Rossi's men in this competition shouldn't be ignored. 

The Netherlands also exceeded expectations with a semi-final appearance, while Germany were able to put the ghosts of the last eight years behind them to return smiles to their fans' faces once again.

Group A3 will make for an intriguing watch, that's for sure, but I do sway towards the Germans when predicting who might come out on top. Julian Nagelsmann's crop showed so much promise at their home tournament and their blend of youth and experience should see them kick on again here.

Sure, the Netherlands went a stage further than the hosts at Euro 2024 but also found themselves on the more favourable side of the draw. Meanwhile, Germany were minutes away from taking the eventual winners Spain to a shootout before Merino's last-minute heroics in the quarters. Die Mannschaft also came out on top when the two sides faced-off in a friendly back in March, securing a 2-1 victory in Frankfurt. 

Don't get me wrong, I expect both the Dutch and Hungarians to put in strong showings but think the added quality of the Germans, aided by exhilerating talents in Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, will be the defining factor.