It really is going to be difficult for the Republic of Ireland to get up for this game less than 72 hours on from losing their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final on penalties to Slovakia. Who knows though, maybe it's exactly what they'd want.
Wales, meanwhile showed promise in a 3-0 defeat by England, a scoreline which flattered their opponents, but struggled for cutting edge in the absence of star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Dan James should come into the side, but striker Kieffer Moore is doubtful after picking up a knock, so they could well be faced with similar issues.
It's a problem that has blighted the Republic, and ultimately cost them a place at next summer's Euros after dominating for 120 minutes in Bratislava on Thursday night. They've scored just 17 goals in 25 competitive matches - those numbers would be even worse if not for a few against Moldova and Gibraltar.
Best bet:
Belgium beat England 1-0 and 2-0 at the World Cup, matches they completely controlled. While the new, youthful Three Lions looked good in patches against Wales, I struggle to see this contest turning out much differently.
So instead of the clean sheet, I prefer Belgium/under 2.5 goals at a superb 9/2, alongside Belgium/under 3.5 at 5/2 which is still a tidy price while providing extra security.
Across the board England and Belgium are the same price in both those markets, which is non-sensical. The Belgians are top of the world rankings and a superior team, summed up last month when Southgate's men turned in turgid performances against Iceland and Denmark, but Belgium won 5-1 and 2-0.
It could just be the patriot in me, but I do hold some hope for Southgate's team and would be far from shocked to see this match finish 1-1. A straight bet on under 2.5 goals would be a smart play if there was any value there, but there isn't.
Elsewhere, England's likely wing-back duo caught my eye in the shots market, and it's Alexander-Arnold I like in particular.
The Liverpool full-back has had seven shots in his last three club games, with at least two in each match. He will be afforded the same attacking license as he is for the Reds by playing as a wing-back, while also taking on dead-ball duties.
That makes his prices of 3/1 to land one shot on target, and 5/2 to have two total shots generous in the extreme
Score prediction: England 0-2 Belgium ()
Best bets:
The kind of fixture the Nations League was made for: World Cup winners v European and Nations League champions. It's also a rematch of the Euro 2016 final which saw Portugal upset the hosts and win their first major tournament; hopefully the game itself isn't an anticlimax.
World champions France won 7-1 in midweek, thrashing a Ukraine team whose squad was decimated by Covid-19 withdrawals. Portugal drew their own friendly 0-0 with great rivals Spain, a match that deserved goals.
France's latest victory followed their perfect start to the Nations League last month, when they beat Sweden 1-0 away and came from behind to win another rematch, of the 2018 World Cup final, 4-2 against Croatia. Portugal beat the same pair of opponents 2-0 and 4-1 respectively.
These are two teams that shouldn't be easy to split, and yet the bookies haven't found it at all difficult.
France are hovering a shade over the evens mark with most, while defending champions Portugal can be taken at better than 3/1. The fact Fernando Santos' team are such a big price would suggest you can get a decent offering on the double chance, but it's not the case with 3/4 as good as can be found.
Best bets:
Odds correct at 1630 BST 09/10/20
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