World-Class Showdowns, Form Insights, and Expert Predictions.
As international football takes centre stage, four key fixtures offer thrilling matchups across UEFA Nations League and AFCON qualification. France face Italy in a battle of champions, while England take on a resilient Ireland side. South Africa aims to continue their dominant form against Uganda, and Nigeria look to avenge their recent loss to Benin. From tactical breakdowns to betting tips, here’s your guide to the weekend’s most anticipated international clashes.
France vs Italy
Two World Cup champions face off this Friday night in what promises to be the highlight of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League’s opening round of fixtures. Italy, led by Luciano Spalletti, will be desperate to bounce back after a disappointing European Football Championship 2024, where they won just one game, finished second in their group, and were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Switzerland in a comfortable 2-0 defeat. Italy’s struggle was evident as they managed only three goals throughout the entire tournament.
Not much change for either squad, though Italy welcomes Sandro Tonali back after his gambling suspension. France, on the other hand, sees Michael Olise earning his first call-up, while key players like Aurélien Tchouaméni are sidelined due to injury, Adrien Rabiot is left out, and Olivier Giroud, the nation’s all-time top scorer, has retired from international football.
France’s Euros campaign wasn’t much better than Italy’s. Although they made it to the final, their first open-play goal didn’t come until the final, with their other three goals coming from two own goals and a Kylian Mbappé penalty. Despite their appearance in the final, France’s performance left much to be desired, and Didier Deschamps’ side will be out to prove that they are still among the world’s best teams.
With Italy in transition and France also having a point to prove, it’s tough to look past the French securing the win in this fixture.
Key stats:
- Italy has seen over 2.5 goals scored in only two of their 2024 matches.
- Similarly, France has had just one game with over 2.5 goals in their last seven outings.
- Italy’s last win against France came in 2008.
- France to Win
- Under 2.5 goals
- France 1-0 Italy – Correct Score
Ireland vs England
Heimir Hallgrímsson, the former Iceland boss who famously knocked England out of the Euros 2016, returns with Ireland, aiming to revive the team’s old-school, hard-working, and tough-to-beat reputation. However, this challenge will be steep against an England side brimming with talent. Hallgrímsson knows what it takes to beat England, and he’ll be pushing Ireland to make life difficult for them in this matchup.
On the other hand, Lee Carsley enters the spotlight as England’s interim manager, and Carsley will be eager to impress in his first match in charge, potentially paving the way for a permanent role, just as Gareth Southgate did before him, as Gareth was also an interim manager before becoming the permanent England manager.
With players like Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, and Morgan Gibbs-White receiving their first senior call-ups—familiar faces from Carsley’s UEFA Under-21 Championship-winning squad—he’s already stamping his authority on the team.
Even without Kyle Walker and Jude Bellingham, this England squad remains incredibly strong. Interestingly, England and Ireland have only met four times since 1991, adding to the rarity of this fixture.
Key Stats:
- Ireland have scored just one goal this year.
- England are unbeaten in their last five encounters with Ireland.
- England win
- England clean sheet
- Ireland 0–4 England – Correct Score
South Africa vs Uganda
Bafana Bafana kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign against Uganda, with the Orlando Stadium in Soweto hosting what should be a confident South African side. Coming off a red-hot streak, Bafana haven’t tasted defeat since February, when they fought their way to the semifinals of AFCON 2023, only losing to Nigeria in a dramatic penalty shootout.
South Africa will be aiming for three points before heading to South Sudan for their next clash. Uganda, meanwhile, come into this match with mixed form—two wins, a draw, and two losses in their last five games—but have struggled historically against Bafana, never beating them in their four previous meetings.
History suggests a goal-filled affair, with an average of 2.67 goals per match between the two teams. The last time they met, in 2021, South Africa edged a 3-2 win, proving that goals are likely to flow again.
Key Stats:
- South Africa are unbeaten in their last 8 games.
- Bafana haven’t lost at home in an impressive 29 matches.
- South Africa to win
- Over 1.5 goals
- South Africa 2–0 Uganda – Correct Score
Nigeria vs Uganda
With just one win in their last five outings, Nigeria are eager to get back on track in this home clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Benin may have upset Nigeria three months ago, but this time the Super Eagles are bolstered by the return of key players like William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, and Ola Aina—each instrumental in Nigeria’s AFCON run this year.
Benin manager Gernot Rohr, who previously coached Nigeria, knows the stakes, saying, “We beat Nigeria three months ago, they will certainly have a spirit of revenge which can be important and that’s normal.” Indeed, the stage is set for a competitive encounter with added tension, as Rohr faces his former team for the second time this year. Nigeria holds a commanding head-to-head lead with seven wins out of nine against Benin, but the Cheetahs will be hoping to defy history once again.
Key Stats:
- Benin are winless in their last six away matches.
- Nigeria have conceded in each of their last six games.
- This fixture has never ended in a draw across nine meetings.
- Nigeria to win
- Over 1.5 goals
- Nigeria 2–1 Benin – Correct Score
Playas bring your bets, the sport will take care of the rest.
