We head into the final games of the Nations League group stage and on Thursday, the result between Croatia and Spain will either keep the group alive, or almost end it. As we stand going into the game, Spain are top of the table with one game to go and a three point cushion over England in second. Croatia are bottom, with two games still to play, and they are currently three points off England in their battle to avoid relegation. With a group that looks so tight, we are sure to be in for a great game when these two meet.

The final game of the group stage sees Croatia travel to face England on Sunday, a game that could have a lot at stake. A win for Croatia in this game would bring them level with England on points, meaning the loser of the game was relegated. It would also mean that the winner would leapfrog over the top of Spain and win the group. Although they are bottom right now with just one point, two wins for Croatia on Thursday and Sunday would actually move them all the way to the top of the group and make them the team progressing to the final.

Nations League Group A4: The Story So Far

After coming off a fantastic World Cup campaign, Croatia are probably a little disappointed with their two games so far, especially their first performance. They went to Spain on the opening weekend of this competition and were beaten 6-0, much to the surprise of football fans around Europe. That immediately put Croatia on the back foot and their home 0-0 draw against England kept them at the bottom of the table. They have played two games, scored 0 goals and conceded 6, something they simply have to improve on if they are to avoid relegation at the last attempt this week.

Alongside their thrashing of Croatia, Spain also won away against England to give them their total of six points. They won that game 2-1 and so far the one thing to take from Spain’s Nations League run is that they are far from the team we saw at the World Cup this summer. Back at that tournament they laboured in their performances but this team looks bright, attacking minded and fresh, something that will certainly please their fans.

The one disappointment for Spain, and the one shining star for England was the game between these two in Spain. England won that game 3-2 and played some of the best football we have seen from them in a long time. They went in at half time 3-0 up against the Spaniards, and that half will go down as one of the best ever from any England team. The three points they picked up gave England hope that they could still win this group, but they do have to rely on Croatia beating Spain in the first of the two games to conclude things this week.

So far we have seen England at their very best, a much improved Spain team since the World Cup and a disappointing couple of performances from Croatia. Just two games remain and going into them any one of the three teams can still win the group, and two of them could still be relegated so things are set up pretty perfectly for the fans.

Nations League Making Positive Impression in First Season

The UEFA Nations League was brought in to give international teams more competitive fixtures and to cut down on the number of pointless friendlies that are played. So far, it has done exactly that, and given us some great games of football. We are seeing teams face others of a similar ability, and with something to play for, which is great for the fans and something that is far better than watching friendlies that consist of double figure substitutions in the second half, completely ruining the flow of the game.

Going into the last weekend of play in League A, the top tier, all four group winners are still to be decided, and three of the four groups are still to decide who finishes bottom and will be relegated into League B. That is a fantastic position to be in, it ensures some exciting and meaningful games, and is a real endorsement of how good the Nations League has been in year one.

It is not just the impact at the top of the footballing ladder that is impressive though, lower down in Leagues C and D we are seeing teams have success that are not used to it, because they are getting the chance to play against teams of a similar ability. No longer are the minnows getting destroyed by bigger nations in qualifying groups they have no chance of winning, now they are competing and winning games.

Going into this weekend, two of the League D group leaders are Luxembourg and Kosovo, them having success at international level is completely unheard of. In another group we have seen Gibralter win their first ever competitive fixture, and then they went on to win again a few days later to give them a chance of being promoted this week. Remember that one of these teams will qualify for Euro 2020, something that was almost impossible for them to do before the invention of the Nations League, and something that could transform football in Kosovo, Luxembourg, or maybe even Gibralter.

Croatia vs Spain Betting Tips

Back to the Croatia vs Spain game on Thursday, and with both teams in need of the points to aid their group position this should be a very good game of football. These two are two of the best teams in Europe on their day and Croatia certainly could do with a day going in their favour with where they are right now. Although not mathmatically inpossible for them, a loss here would almost guarantee relegation to League B for them, while that win would also give Spain the top spot.

I don’t think that will happen. We haven’t seen much from Croatia in the Nations League so far, but not too long ago they were putting up some very impressive performances in the World Cup. They are good value at home to Spain here, despite their disappointment so far, and worth another chance at the generous prices that are on offer.

We need them to turn things around, but they are more than capable of doing that so we are backing Croatia to win on Thursday night and keep this group firmly alive going into the last game between Croatia and England on Sunday.

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