Football betting tips: Women's Nations League
1pt Grace Clinton to score anytime at 17/10 (Betfair, Paddy Power)
1pt Carole Costa to score anytime at 14/1 (Sky Bet)
It’s once again Nations League time, or, to put it another way, it’s time for the appetiser before this Summer’s European Championship – more on that next month – and on the menu for Friday is Portugal.
That’s right, watch out Wembley, it’s the fourth-best team in the world against the 22nd, or whatever the FIFA ranking actually means.
In truth, these are two teams who are slightly more chaotic than you might expect, as both have a habit of tripping over their own feet.
Having only sparred six times in the last quarter of a century, they don’t know each other overly intimately and although England have never lost to Portugal, the Lionesses have been held by the Iberian nation three times over the years.
Indeed, their last two meetings – in the Nations League earlier this year, and a pre-World Cup friendly in 2023 – both ended in draws and were not necessarily, the most scintillating of encounters.
But of course, I’ve already slyly given you their current world rankings, so you know England are the big favourites as their current 1/6 odds to win would suggest and the Lionesses have a point to prove after losing 3-2 to Belgium last time out.
What are the best bets?
For what it’s worth, England’s preparation coming into the game could have been a lot better as at the start of the week, Mary Earps – the goalie who stood strong between the posts for England on their way to the Euro title in 2022 – announced her international retirement, with reports that it’s caused some friction behind the scenes.
And whilst the hosts will be bolstered by the return of Ella Toone who are out with small knocks.
The good news if you’re thinking of including England in your acca, or just want something to watch tomorrow night is England do have plenty of attacking thrust and their in form players are those who’ll be occupying the final third.
Fresh off of winning the Champions League (we won’t talk about Chloe Kelly has been in vintage form this calendar year and could well be the creative spark England need.
No Russo is likely to mean a slight rejig from Sarina Wiegman, who is likely to start Jess Park.
And if you're looking for a goalscorer, they would be your most likely trio, with Park the only England player to score twice so far this calendar year, and she's 7/1 to score first, but it's also worth mentioning the solid form GRACE CLINTON is coming into the match with, the midfielder having netted eight times last season, and she's 17/10 to SCORE ANYTIME.
Portugal are far from one-trick ponys, it has to be said and while the Navegadoras don’t have the same degree of depth as England – nor the same professional league set-up – they are a nation who’ve taken huge international steps over the last decade.
Now, they’ll be without Barcelona’s Diana Silva has been in sterling form over the last year and will be the main out-ball for the visitors.
If Portugal can get into their swing, and find moments of build up rather than fast breaks, Ana Capeta are the pair likely to make things happen behind Silva.
And if you’re looking for a chaos bet, a little bit of a shot in the dark because why not, CAROLE COSTA is Portugal’s regular, and consistent, penalty taker and you can find her at 14/1 to SCORE ANYTIME.
Recent head-to-head aside, this does feel like a good game for England to take three points from and score more than once – but be mindful they’ve only ever put three past Portugal once, and that was 23 years ago – but 2-1 with an Arsenal goalscorer (Mead, Kelly or Williamson if you’re feeling bold) might just be the sweet spot for the Lionesses.
Odds correct at 1410 BST (29/05/25)
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