Nations League predictions: Danes can strengthen grip on top spot

Kasper Hjulmand's Denmark can strengthen their grip at the top of their Nations League group tonight by beating Austria.

The Danes opened their campaign with back-to-back victories on the road against France and Austria before slipping to a 1-0 home defeat to Croatia.

But Hjulmand will order his team to return to winning ways when they host their nearest rivals in Copenhagen. 

Denmark vs Austria (7.45pm BST)

Given their other two opponents were the finalists in the 2018 World Cup, it is slightly unusual to see Denmark and Austria first and second in their group after three games. 

After making the perfect start, the Danes had the wind taken out of their sails somewhat last Friday but they remain in pole position to qualify for the finals.

Austria, on the other hand, were on course for all three points against France before an 83rd-minute equaliser from Kylian Mbappe snatched a share of the spoils. 

Both teams have now scored in six of Austria’s last seven games and that could well occur again in this fixture.

Ralf Rangnick seems to have quickly implemented his style of play and the Austrians should be able to find the scoresheet, as they did in the reverse fixture earlier this month. 

But Denmark remain one of the form sides in international football and should not be underestimated. 

Kazakhstan vs Slovakia (3pm BST)

Kazakhstan entertain Slovakia at the Astana Arena in Group C3, with the winner taking a potentially decisive step towards promotion. 

The hosts opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan before earning a surprise 1-0 success over Slovakia in Trnava.

Magomed Adiyev's men were not quite able to maintain their perfect record last time out but a 1-1 draw in Belarus is hardly the worst result.

That run of results sees the Hawks top the standings with seven points, although they are only a point clear of Slovakia.

Being on the road should not be a problem for the Falcons. 

They have lost just one of their last six away games in all competitions and have kept four clean sheets in that sequence. 

Slovakia look capable of exacting their revenge in this contest, assuming top spot in the group in the process.

Iceland vs Israel (7.45pm BST)

Iceland and Israel played out an exciting 2-2 draw last Thursday and the reverse fixture could be similarly entertaining.

The away side followed that result up with a 2-1 win over Albania.

Iceland rotated their squad for their 1-0 win over San Marino having previously drawn 1-1 with Albania.

As both teams have netted in six of Iceland’s last eight matches, expect these sides to serve up another exciting affair.