Nations League predictions: Spain to return to winning ways

The Nations League continues on Thursday evening with Spain looking for their first win of the campaign against Switzerland.

Elsewhere, unbeaten pair Portugal and Czech Republic meet in Lisbon and Northern Ireland travel to Kosovo.

Switzerland vs Spain (7.45pm BST)

Spain might still be regarded as being in transition but Luis Enrique's young side are showing promise.

Their recent record has been excellent with just one defeat suffered across their last 10 matches, although that loss did come in this competition when they were beaten 2-1 by France in last October's final.

However, two draws from two in this Nations League campaign suggests La Roja have much room for improvement.

Enrique's men will certainly fancy their chances of picking up all three points in Geneva, as they face a Switzerland side who have suffered defeat in their opening two contests.

Despite winning their World Cup qualification group, the Swiss have not beaten a side in the top 10 of the world rankings for four years and while they are usually a very solid outfit who can score goals, there is perhaps a lack of star quality.

Ultimately, the visitors should be too strong and a Spain win with both teams to score may be a likely outcome.

Portugal vs Czech Republic (7.45pm BST)

Euro 2016 winners Portugal have developed a reputation for being tough to beat under Fernando Santos and that is why they will always be deemed a threat in international tournaments.

They have very accomplished defensive players such as veteran centre-back Pepe and flying full-back Joao Cancelo, while record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo continues to provide a major threat up top.

Portugal's record at home is particularly strong, winning six of their last seven matches and triumphing by at least a two-goal margin in each of their last three matches on their own patch.

Sunday saw them thrash Switzerland 4-0 and now they face a Czech side whose away record is patchy despite them sitting on four points from two games in this Nations League campaign.

The Czechs have lost three of their last six games on the road so Portugal should feel confident and a home win to nil might be the best option.

Kosovo vs Northern Ireland (7.45pm BST)

It is fair to say that Ian Baraclough's Northern Ireland have something of a blind spot when it comes to the Nations League as they are still awaiting their first victory in the competition.

Sunday's goalless draw at Cyprus prolonged the misery for the Green and White Army as they look to get back to winning ways.

They go to Kosovo, whose nine-man defeat at home to Greece on Sunday ended a four-match unbeaten run.

Alain Giresse's side have lost four of their last five at home and have failed to score in three of them, meaning this is an ideal opportunity for the visitors to scrape a potentially narrow win.