Back this 10/1 UEFA Nations League acca on Friday

The international action continues into Friday's matches with another round of Nations League fixtures across the continent. 

Odds Now's Brad Walker has taken a closer look at the fixtures to pick out a couple of selections to keep an eye on ahead of the weekend. 

Brad Walker's best Nations League bets for Friday, September 5th, 2024

France to beat Italy @ 7/10 - 1 pt

Austria to beat Slovenia @ 6/5 - 2 pts

Turkey to beat Wales @ 23/12 - 0.5 pts

France, Austria & Turkey treble @ 9.61/1 - 0.5 pts

Total points staked - 4 pts

Selection #1 - France to beat Italy (7/10)

France's European Championship heartache continued this summer after they were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions Spain. 

Goals from Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal secured a 2-1 victory for the Spanish, wiping out France's early lead, which came through forward Kolo Muani.  

The loss means the French have now gone 24 years since winning a Euros, having reached the final just once in that time, when Eder's extra-time strike saw them suffer a 1-0 loss to Portugal in Paris at Euro 2016. 

Like many of Europe's big-hitters, France struggled to get going in Germany, failing to convince with any of their performances despite their star-studded roster. 

Questions have since been asked as to whether Deschamps should continue in his role as manager given their failure to win the last two major tournaments. Quite a harsh conclusion to reach considering they reached consecutive World Cup finals in 2018 and 2022, coming out victorious in the former. 

Nevertheless, the 55-year-old looks set to continue in the Stade de France hotseat after the French Football Federation confirmed he would see out the remainder of his contract, which runs until after the 2026 World Cup.

France won the Nations League back in 2020-21 and Deschamps will be eager to put in a similar showing again as he looks to ease any lingering doubts over his future.

His opposite number will also be eager to send a message to his superiors. Italy boss Luciano Spalletti oversaw his nation's miserable attempt at defending their European crown this summer after they were beaten handily by Switzerland at the last 16 stage. Their 2-1 win over group minnows Albania was their only victory in the tournament. 

Like Deschamps, he has also been told he will remain in the job until 2026, though a lot could change for either man if they disappoint in this competition.

The loss of senior figures in Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, both of whom have now retired, severely hampered the Italians in Germany. The Azzurri also failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar under former manager Roberto Mancini, and could be tempted into another change of face if form doesn't pick up quickly. 

Victory over France here remains a tall order, though. While Italy are renowned for their ability to grind out a result when needed, the divide in quality between the two sides cannot be ignored. France's squad remains littered with world-class ability throughout, whereas their Italian counterparts appear to be in a period of transition, awaiting the arrival of their next generational talents. 

France's record at home is also superb. They've won 8 of their last 10 matches on French soil, scoring 33 goals during that period.

Sure, they will have been disappointed with their performance in Germany, but should still have too much for a weakened Italy team here.

Italy's 2-1 loss to Switzerland saw them bow out of Euro 2024 at the last 16 stage. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Selection #2 - Austria to beat Slovenia (6/5)

Ralf Rangnick's Austria side were one of the pleasant surprises of the Euros. The Eagles were superb in Germany, remarkably finishing top of a group which included tournament favourites France and the Netherlands. 

Their performances also saw them reach the knockout stages of consecutive European Championships for the first time in the nation's history. Doing so without star men in David Alaba and Xaver Schlager makes their feat even more impressive, though Rangnick would have still preferred to have both available for this weekend's games. 

The resurgence since Rangnick's initial appointment in April 2022 has been phenomenal. The 66-year-old endured a shaky start in charge but eventually saw his side lose just once in Euro 2024 qualifying. 

Their form on the road is particularly impressive. Austria were unbeaten in seven away matches prior to the Euros this summer, winning five of those. 

Then again, the same can be said of their opponents' record on home turf. Slovenia have lost just once in their last 13 home matches - the only blemish being a 2-0 defeat to Sweden back in June 2022. 

Like Austria, Matjaz Kek's side also caught the eye this summer. Slovenia surprisingly reached the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in their history after qualifying from the group stage as one of the best third-ranked sides. The Dragons also took a heavily-backed Portugal side to penalties in the last 16, only to lose 3-0 from the spot. 

It's fair to say that neither side is giving much away when it comes to making a prediction for who might come out on top here. 

The Austrians' added quality does leave them as narrow 6/5 favourites though, and I think that's a more than fair price considering their recent performances. 

Don't get me wrong, Slovenia were mightily impressive in Germany but outside of England, faced lower-level opposition in Denmark and Serbia.

Meanwhile, Austria were up against the might of big-hitters France and the Netherlands - two teams who would eventually reach the semi-finals - yet finished above both. It was their thrilling 3-2 victory over the Dutch in the final group game which saw them secure top spot and a place in the last 16. 

While I expect Slovenia to put up a fight, I ultimately think Austria will hit the ground running in this competition with a well-earned victory in Ljubljana.

Austria raised eyebrows to finish top of their group in Germany, ahead of both France and the Netherlands. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Selection #3 - Turkey to beat Wales (23/12)

My final selection sees another of Euro 2024's surprise packages. While Vincenzo Montella's Turkey side impressed on the pitch, it's the atmosphere generated by the abundance of Turkish fans in the crowd that will live long in the memory when looking back on this tournament in years to come. 

Their team certainly gave them plenty to shout about, mind. For the first time in 16 years, Turkey reached the quarter-finals of a major tournament before coming up short against the Netherlands, who secured a 2-1 victory over them in Berlin. 

Nevertheless, the emerging talent rife throughout Montella's crop suggests more success could lie in wait for the Crescent-Stars. Attacking midfielders Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, both of whom are just 19-years-old, stand as two of the outstanding prospects the continent currently has to offer. Bouyed by the experience of talisman Hakan Calhanoglu, Turkey could very well be the team to watch in future tournaments. 

Meanwhile, Wales would snatch your hand off to even qualify. The Welsh failed to secure a spot in Germany after a penalty shootout defeat to Poland in the play-offs back in March. Former manager Rob Page stepped down in the aftermath of defeat and was replaced by former player Craig Bellamy, who was announced as Wales' new manager back in July.

This will be the 45-year-old's first match in charge since taking control of the reins. Bellamy will be familiar with their Turkish counterparts given the pair shared a Euro 2024 qualifying group, though Wales secured just one point across the two encounters. 

A 2-0 loss in Samsun last June left their qualification hopes in tatters, while the 1-1 draw eight months later confirmed the play-offs were their only hopes of securing a place in Germany.

The lack of creativity in the Welsh final third was a recurring theme throughout all of their qualification matches but was particularly evident in that return match. Wales were in dire need of a win yet still managed just 0.77 xG across the 90 minutes, compared to Turkey's 1.2.

Considering the gulf in class between the two squads, particularly in forward areas, I can't see how Wales have enough quality to hurt their opponents on Friday. Turkey are on a roll and their youthful exuberance makes them a handful for any side in Europe, while Wales could still be nursing the hangover from the Poland loss six months earlier. 

With all this in mind, backing Turkey for the win at just shy of 2/1 (23/12) could prove one of the best picks of the entire international break. Bellamy will be desperate for the win but given Wales' recent performances, I certainly won't be putting money on them. Coupled with Turkey's recent heroics and the wide odds on offer, the away victory looks a worthy punt in my eyes. 

Turkey burst into life with their performances at the Euros in Germany. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)