We have arrived at the first international break of the 2026/27 season and it happens to be a big one.
Three weeks where all national teams play four games each give us plenty of opportunities to find great value for your betting slips.
While EPLNews.org usually looks more at club football, that does not mean we don’t know our stuff when it comes to national teams all over the world.
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So let’s jump into the selections for this mid-week, shall we?
Japan vs Uruguay – Double chance of draw or Japan to win (1.30)
We start with a friendly game between the Blue Samurai and La Celeste.
Japan has not lost any of its last 25 home matches, whereas Uruguay has won only 1 of its last 14 away matches.
Netherlands vs Germany – BTTS (1.45)
This is the break’s first massive clash between two truly heavyweight teams, both with new faces in the dugout. With Jurgen Klopp and Xavi Hernandez taking charge of Germany and the Netherlands respectively, we do not expect either team to keep a clean sheet, especially when looking at how they have performed in recent times.
The Netherlands has scored in 17 of its last 18 home matches, while Germany has scored in 13 of its last 14 away matches.
Norway vs Denmark – Norway to win (1.82)
A Nordic duel is next on the agenda, where we can easily see Haaland & Co. running away with it.
Norway has won 11 of its last 15 home matches, whereas Denmark has won only 2 of its last 12 away matches (D4, L6).
Portugal vs Wales – Portugal to win (1.27)
The Selecao are big favourites to win this game, especially when Wales will be missing important names like Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and Karl Darlow.
Portugal are also in very good form on their turf, having won 14 of their last 18 home matches, including both head-to-head meetings played in Portugal.
Italy vs Belgium – BTTS (1.64)
Two nations looking for a fresh start are coming face-to-face in this one.
Italy has scored in 20 of its last 21 home matches, while Belgium has scored in its last 11 away matches, including 5 of the last 6 head-to-head meetings played in Italy.
Mali vs Cape Verde – Under 2.5 goals (1.52)
Over to Africa for the next pick as everyone’s favourite underdogs this past summer travel to Mali. However, the Malians recent games do not encourage us to expect a goalfest.
More than 2 goals were scored in only 1 of Mali’s last 11 matches.
Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Poland to win (1.70)
These countries get their UEFA Nations League campaign in League B underway and a home win is expected.
Poland has won 6 of its last 9 home matches, including 3 of the last 4 home head-to-head meetings with Bosnia.
South Korea vs Ecuador – No BTTS (1.75)
Another Asia vs South America friendly is up next.
At least 1 team kept a clean sheet in 9 of South Korea’s last 10 fixtures in all competitions and 6 of Ecuador’s own last 10, but only 1 of the last 5.
Ivory Coast vs Ghana – Under 2.5 goals (1.45)
And another African clash where goals should be a rare sight.
3 of Ivory Coast’s last 5 matches have featured 2 goals or fewer, while the same is true for 4 of Ghana’s own last 5 and 3 of the most recent 5 head-to-heads.
Andorra vs Malta – Under 2.5 goals (1.35)
A League D match in the UEFA Nations League is usually not the place for high-scoring football.
2.5+ goals only landed in 1 of the previous 6 H2Hs to ever take place between these teams.
Sweden vs Romania – Sweden to win (1.55)
After topping their respective groups in League C during the last edition of the UEFA Nations League, Sweden and Romania face each other in League B for the first time.
Sweden gave a good account of themselves at the World Cup and, while they did not perform well at home in the qualifying campaign for the tournament, they did so in the games before that. Meanwhile, Romania are winless on the road in their last 6 matches (L4, D2).
Dordrecht vs Almere City – Over 2.5 goals (1.35)
And we end this mid-week’s tour with a pick from the Netherlands’ second division or, as we like to call it, the Reliable Goals Market League.
3 or more goals were scored in 6 of Dordrecht’s 7 games this season, 4 of Almere’s own 7 fixtures, as well as in 7 of the last 10 direct meetings in any competition.
