Football betting tips: EFL, Nations League
2pts Over 4.5 cards in Albania vs Czechia (19:45) at 9/10 (bet365, BetVictor)
1.5pts Both teams 20+ booking points in Sweden vs Slovakia (19:45) at 5/4 (Sky Bet)
0.5pt A sending off in Sweden vs Slovakia (19:45) at 22/5 (Unibet)
Albania vs Czechia
- Kick-off time: 19:45 GMT, Saturday
- Home 21/10 | Draw 21/10 | Away 23/20
Jake Osgathorpe
Group 1 of Nations League B is finely poised ahead of the final two matches. All four teams could still go up automatically, and all four sides could still be relegated automatically; it really is all to play for.
Unsurprisingly given how closely matched Czechia, Albania, Ukraine and Georgia are, every game has been hotly contested, with the card per game average at a huge 4.9.
With the stakes high, I'm more than happy to back a continuation of that theme and take the 9/10 available for OVER 4.5 CARDS.
Czechia have been the card crazy side of the group, collecting 3, 5, 1 and 4 cards themselves, with the over 4.5 line breached in three of four outings. Albania have collected 2, 1, 2 and 3 cards in their contests.
The referee appointment of Sandro Scharer is a good one too, with the Swiss ref averaging 4.4 cards per game this season.
Sweden vs Slovakia
- Kick-off time: 19:45 GMT, Saturday
- Home 7/10 | Draw 13/5 | Away 16/5
Jake Osgathorpe
The one thing this Nations League innovation has brought is competitive internationals, and Sweden's clash with Slovakia is exactly that.
This is basically 'winner goes up'. The pair are tied on points and should Saturday's clash deliver a victory for either side, that team will be promoted to Nations League B, while the loser will need to come through a play-off against an existing League B team.
With the stakes high, it's another card-based bet for me, especially with the referee appointment of Ukrainian Mykola Balakin, who has brandished 25 yellows and four reds in just six Ukrainian league games this season.
We're backing BOTH TEAMS 20+ BOOKING POINTS at odds-against.
Sweden have collected multiple cards in three of four Nations League games, Slovakia in two of their four, while the previous head-to-head saw a 3-2 card split.
With a good referee and the stakes higher than usual, plus some excellent foul-drawing players on show, we could see plenty of cards for both sides.
Given the referee's red card record this season (four in six matches), and the fact there have already been two reds across the pair's seven Nations League fixtures, backing a SENDING OFF IN THE MATCH also appeals at above 4/1.
Already advised
1.5pts Accrington to beat Swindon (15:00) at 11/8 (William Hill, Betfred)
1pt Over 4.5 goals in Harrogate vs Chesterfield (15:00) at 5/1 (Betfair)
2pts Chesterfield to win and over 2.5 goals at 17/10 (Hills, Paddy Power, Betfair)
1pt Chesterfield to win and over 3.5 goals at 18/5 (Hills, Betfred)
1pt Charlie McCann to score anytime in Forest Green vs York (17:30) at 11/2 (bet365)
Odds correct at 1410 GMT (12/11/24)
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