Why can't England win the Nations League and what are their chances of promotion from League B.
England will kick off their Nations League campaign this Saturday against Ireland, marking their first match without Gareth Southgate at the helm.
After the heartbreak of their Euro 2024 final defeat, the Three Lions are eager to move forward and win their their first major trophy since 1966.
However, this tournament won’t offer a chance for silverware, as England were relegated from League A last year after failing to win any of their League A Group 3 games, finishing bottom.
Lets take a look at why this means England can't win the Nations League and how the competition works.
Are England out of the Nations League?
England are still in the Nations League and will compete this year, but they cannot win the trophy. Only teams in League A have the chance to lift the cup.
Relegated from League A last year, England finished at the bottom of League A Group C. Their campaign was marked by two draws with Germany, two defeats to Hungary, and one loss and one draw against Italy, which sealed their drop.
This season, the best the Three Lions can hope for is promotion back to League A.
How does the Nations League Work
In March, the top two teams from each group in League A will compete in two-legged quarter-finals, with the victors advancing to the final-four tournament in June. The team that emerges victorious in this final stage will be crowned the UEFA Nations League champion.
In Leagues B, C, and D, the winners of each group will be promoted to a higher division, while the teams finishing at the bottom of their groups in Leagues A and B will face relegation to a lower division.
Teams that finished third in their League A groups will challenge the runners-up from League B, and the third-placed teams in League B will take on the runners-up from League C in two-legged promotion/relegation play-offs, also in March.
Additionally, there will be play-offs involving the two best fourth-placed teams from League C and the two runners-up from League D.
England Nations League Odds
| Team | Best Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| England | 1/12 | 92.31% |
| Greece | 14/1 | 6.67% |
| Finland | 14/1 | 6.67% |
| Republic of Ireland | 20/1 | 4.76% |
England are the resounding favourites to win League B Group 2 and be promoted back to League A next year at a best price of 1/12.
They will face FIFA 54th ranked Greece, 63rd ranked Finland and 58th ranked Ireland.
England are currently the 4th best side in the FIFA rankings.
Who are the favourites to win the Nations League?
| Team | Best Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| France | 9/2 | 18.18% |
| Spain | 6/1 | 14.29% |
| Germany | 7/1 | 12.50% |
| Portugal | 7/1 | 12.50% |
France are the favorites to win the Nations League, with the best odds of 9/2 available through Sky Bet. Despite their underwhelming performance at the Euros, there's strong backing for France to shine in this competition.
They face a tough challenge in Group 2, where they'll go up against Belgium and Italy, making their path anything but easy.
The second favorites are Spain, priced at 6/1 with bet365. The reigning champions, having triumphed over Croatia in the 2022/23 finals, recently showcased their dominance in Euro 2024.
With a roster brimming with emerging stars like Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Pedri, and the potential Ballon d'Or contender Rodri from Manchester City, La Roja are a formidable force to reckon with.
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