I have two picks for the final day of the Nations League group stage.
The pregame narrative: Germany has already clinched its spot in the knockout stage but should still beat a severely outmatched Hungary side. Elsewhere, Georgia can get promoted to League A with a win or tie and I’m betting on that to happen.
Check out the best Nations League picks for Nov. 19.
Nations League picks
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Soccer picks made at 1:58 p.m. ET on 11/18/24.
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Best Bet: Germany half time/full time (+123)
Germany has done well to put its crushing Euro 2024 loss in the rearview.
The squad could have been the champions of Europe but lost to the eventual winners Spain in extra time in the quarter-final.
Die Mannschaft has been amazing in the Nations League since, going 4-1-0 with a +14 goal differential. Their only “misstep” was a 1-1 draw to the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Germany kicked off that run by hammering Hungary, 5-0, in Düsseldorf and just one-upped itself with a 7-0 road win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Back on the road, Julian Nagelsmann’s side won’t need a win or a tie to advance, having already clinched its spot with two games to play. But the Germans have been clinical so far and their B-Team should still run amok against Hungary.
“As it stands now there will be many changes. It can be that we will change nine times, or 10,” Nagelsmann said on Monday in Budapest.
Still, Leroy Sane is expected to start, as is Jamal Musiala. That group can put the Germans up early and I can’t picture Hungary — who has scored just three goals in five Nations League games — evening it up.
Key stat: Germany has beaten Hungary by a combined score of 7-0 in its last two meetings (both in 2024).
Quick pick
Georgia to win or tie (+104): Georgia will get promoted to the Nations League top flight with a win and still has a chance to do so with a tie.
Keeping things level on the road against a solid Czech team will be tough, but I think the Georgians can get it done.
Defence has been the team’s calling card all tournament as it has allowed just four goals in five games.
When Georgia hosted Czechia earlier this tournament, it picked up a decisive 4-1 victory. It also tied the Czechs 1-1 in the Euro 2024 group stage.
Georgia isn’t in the best form right now, losing two of its last three, but both were 1-0 defeats. This is a team that beat Portugal at the Euros and I think it can put forth a strong battle on Tuesday.
Picks made at 2:40 p.m. on 11/18/24.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.