Nations League Matchday 4 Preview: France vs Belgium, Germany Seek Revenge and Spain Meet Croatia Again

Half of the group stage is already gone, and Matchday 4 arrives just as every mistake starts to matter more.

Portugal and Spain are still perfect. England have just put seven past Croatia. Germany finally won under Jürgen Klopp but are still chasing the leaders in their group. France, meanwhile, dropped points for the first time after drawing with Italy.

Another packed round awaits from 4 to 6 October. 888STARZ picks out five fixtures carrying the biggest storylines.

Greece vs Germany: revenge just one week later

There is no need to search too hard for the story here.

On Matchday 2, Greece went to Germany and beat them 1–0 for the first time in their history.

The Greeks then drew 2–2 with the Netherlands, while Germany finally claimed their first win under Klopp with a 2–0 victory over Serbia.

Now the venue changes.

For Germany, this is about more than simply collecting three points. It is an immediate chance to answer the team that handed them their most painful result of the campaign so far.

The market still backs the Germans.

888STARZ offers 1.78 on Germany to win.

Portugal vs Norway: Haaland gets another shot at perfect Portugal

Portugal arrive at Matchday 4 with the maximum possible return.

Three games, three wins.

After beating Wales and Norway, they also came through a difficult trip to Denmark with a 4–2 victory. Nine points from nine and the best start in Group A4.

Norway have gone the other way.

After opening with a win against Denmark, they have lost twice in a row — 2–1 to Portugal and 2–1 to Wales.

But Erling Haaland is enough of a reason not to call this one finished before kick-off.

The first meeting showed that Norway can cause Portugal problems. So far, Portugal have simply handled the key moments better.

888STARZ offers 1.65 on Portugal to make it four wins in a row.

France vs Belgium: Olise has already decided this fixture once

One moment separated these teams a week ago.

Belgium and France were heading towards a goalless draw until Michael Olise carried the ball almost the length of the pitch and scored in the 88th minute.

Now the rematch is in Paris.

France remain unbeaten after three rounds, although Italy have already stopped their perfect run with a 1–1 draw. Belgium responded to the defeat against France with an impressive 3–0 win over Türkiye.

So this is no longer a meeting between one side in form and another still searching for answers.

Belgium arrive on the back of a strong win, France have home advantage, and their latest meeting was decided only in the final minutes.

The market still clearly favours the hosts.

888STARZ offers 1.50 on France to win.

Croatia vs Spain: how do you respond after 1–4 and 0–7?

Croatia may be going through the toughest spell of any major European side in this Nations League campaign.

First came a 4–1 defeat to Spain.

Then, only a few days later, a historic 7–0 loss to England.

And now Spain again.

It is difficult to imagine a less comfortable opponent when you are trying to rebuild confidence quickly.

Spain have been perfect after three games: wins over England, Croatia and Czechia, nine points and ten goals scored.

Lamine Yamal has also opened the scoring in all three matches.

Croatia are at home and will surely try to avoid a repeat of the first meeting, but the market gives them little room for optimism.

888STARZ offers 1.28 on Spain to win.

England vs Czechia: what comes after seven goals in Rijeka?

There was plenty to criticise about England after Matchday 1.

A 3–2 home defeat to Spain was not the start anyone expected.

Their response has been brutal.

First came a 2–0 win over Czechia, then a historic 7–0 victory in Croatia.

Now Czechia come to Wembley.

And their problem is not simply that England beat them a week ago. Czechia still have zero points after three games, while England’s attack has just produced one of its best performances in years.

The market leaves very little room for a surprise.

888STARZ offers 1.14 on England to win.

Key Matchday 4 fixtures

Matchday 4 is full of quick rematches.

Germany face Greece again after a historic defeat. France meet Belgium only a week after winning in the 88th minute. Spain take on Croatia again after putting four past them in their first meeting.

Portugal and Spain, meanwhile, arrive here without dropping a single point.

Once this round is over, only two group-stage matches will remain. From here, there will be less and less room to fix mistakes.