Armenia vs. Rep. Ireland (Saturday, 2.00pm)
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Republic of Ireland get their UEFA Nations League campaign underway on Saturday with a fixture against Group B1 minnows Armenia.
With Ukraine and Scotland also present in the group, both nations are under pressure to make a quick start in a bid to earn promotion to the top tier.
We say: Armenia 1-2 Republic of Ireland
Despite Republic of Ireland being the favourites to prevail at the weekend, we cannot help but think that the visitors will not have it all their own way. Nevertheless, on the back of a lengthy unbeaten streak, the Boys In Green may have the confidence to edge a competitive game in the closing stages.
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Hungary vs. England (Saturday, 5.00pm)
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England continue to ramp up their preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with their first UEFA Nations League clash of this cycle against Hungary at the Puskas Arena on Saturday evening.
In contrast, the hosts will not be present on the big stage, and off-field controversy continues to bedevil the players ahead of this League A Group 3 fixture.
We say: Hungary 0-3 England
Hungary have proven to be a tough examination for several sides in recent months and will have memories of a well-earned Wembley draw fresh in the memory, even if sections of their supporters tarnish their on-field endeavours.
Nevertheless, the England juggernaut continues to roll on, and the importance of building momentum before Qatar cannot be understated, so we can only back a comfortable Three Lions win on Saturday.
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> How England could line up against Hungary
> England's head-to-head record vs. Hungary
Finland vs. Bosnia H'vina (Saturday, 5.00pm)
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Finland will welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium for the first fixture of their 2022-23 UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday.
The two nations are separated by just two places in the FIFA world rankings, with Finland positioned in 57th while Bosnia are ranked 59th.
We say: Finland 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Both Finland and Bosnia will be keen to make a strong start to their Nations League campaign and they will fancy their chances of success on Saturday.
Finland managed to come out on top the last time that these two nations met, but we can see Bosnia claiming a point this time around in a closely-fought contest.
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Lithuania vs. Luxembourg (Saturday, 5.00pm)
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Lithuania will welcome Luxembourg to the LFF Stadium in Vilnius for the first fixture of their 2022-23 UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday.
The hosts have only won two of their last 10 matches on home soil over the last two-and-a-half years, while the visitors have lost six of their last eight games on the road.
We say: Lithuania 1-2 Luxembourg
Both minnow nations have struggled to put together strong runs of form, but they will be hoping that their upcoming Nations League fixtures will provide them with an opportunity to turn their fortunes around.
The visitors will head into Saturday's game as the slight favourites and we can see them coming away with a slender victory in Vilnius.
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Turkey vs. Faroe Islands (Saturday, 7.45pm)
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Turkey and the Faroe Islands kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign in Istanbul on Saturday evening looking to get off to a good start in Group C1.
Both countries have changed leagues from the 2020-21 edition, with the hosts dropping down from League B and the visitors earning promotion from League D.
We say: Turkey 3-0 Faroe Islands
On paper, this looks to be a routine victory for Turkey against the minnows from the Faroe Islands.
The hosts may have endured a disappointing last 12 months, but they should possess a far superior quality on the day in Istanbul and should cruise to a comfortable victory by a relatively wide margin.
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Italy vs. Germany (Saturday, 7.45pm)
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After a dismal few months abruptly ended an incredibly successful cycle, Italy kick off their latest UEFA Nations League campaign against old rivals Germany on Saturday evening, in Bologna.
The European champions missed out on qualification for Qatar 2022 due to a humbling playoff defeat and were heavily beaten in midweek, while their neighbours cruised into this winter's World Cup, where they will seek a fifth global crown.
We say: Italy 0-1 Germany
Few would have predicted such difficult times ahead for the European champions so soon after their crowning glory last July, but morale-drained Italy are now a shadow of their former selves and are entering a tricky transition.
Germany are far further ahead in their development, and can find goals from a variety of sources, so should return home with an opening Nations League victory before reconvening with old foes England next week.
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> How Germany could line up against Italy
> How Italy could line up against Germany
Montenegro vs. Romania (Saturday, 7.45pm)
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Following their promotion to the UEFA Nations League's second tier, Montenegro welcome near neighbours Romania to Podgorica on Saturday evening, for the teams' opening League B Group G fixture.
Only an independent football nation for 15 years, the hosts have progressed up the ranks in Europe's newest international competition, but like their visitors, failed to qualify for this winter's World Cup.
We say: Montenegro 1-1 Romania
Having lost just one of their last four outings on home soil, Montenegro will not be easy to break down on Saturday - particularly for a Romania side which does not always deliver in the final third.
As both teams will be back in action in midweek, starting out with a point apiece would represent an acceptable result for either nation, and a low-scoring draw could be on the cards.
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Turkey vs. Faroe Islands (Saturday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Turkey and the Faroe Islands kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign in Istanbul on Saturday evening looking to get off to a good start in Group C1.
Both countries have changed leagues from the 2020-21 edition, with the hosts dropping down from League B and the visitors earning promotion from League D.
We say: Turkey 3-0 Faroe Islands
On paper, this looks to be a routine victory for Turkey against the minnows from the Faroe Islands.
The hosts may have endured a disappointing last 12 months, but they should possess a far superior quality on the day in Istanbul and should cruise to a comfortable victory by a relatively wide margin.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
