UEFA Nations League Matchday 4 preview: Players to watch, storylines to follow

Michael Olise is in fine form as France host Belgium, while Türki̇ye travel to face an increasingly confident Italy as UEFA Nations League Matchday 4 continues on Monday 5 October.

We preview the action.

What to look out for in League A

Remaining League A fixtures

Monday 5 October A1 France vs Belgium A1 Italy vs Türkiye

Tuesday 6 October A3 Croatia vs Spain A3 England vs Czechia

All kick-off times 20:45 CET

France enter this match with their creative star in red-hot form. Michael Olise scored the wonderful winner when these sides met on Matchday 2 and followed that up with a ferocious finish to open the scoring in France's 1-1 draw against Italy last time out.

Over in Liege, Kevin De Bruyne scored a dazzling double to move Mark van Bommel's side within one point of their Matchday 4 hosts. The talismanic Napoli midfielder is suspended for this one, though, so Belgium may look to the likes of Dodi Lukébakio, who twice struck the post against Türki̇ye, and forward Romelu Lukaku, who rounded out the victory.

Italy have bounced back after their Matchday 1 defeat against Belgium, winning emphatically in Türki̇ye on Matchday 2 before earning a draw in France last time out. "It was a really good result against a very, very good team," concluded forward Sebastiano Esposito.

Türki̇ye are without a point on their return to League A but feel that results are not far from their grasp. "It was an even match, but at this level you simply cannot afford to make mistakes," said coach Vincenzo Montella after their loss against Belgium last time out.

"We didn't show any heart, and that's that," said forward Igor Matanović after Croatia's 7-0 home loss to England on Saturday. Slaven Bilić's men will seek to rally against the side that beat them 4-1 in Seville on Matchday 2. Matanović added: "We have to change our approach, show a completely different side of ourselves and leave our hearts on the pitch."

That may still not be enough. Spain have won their last ten games following Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Czechia and are unbeaten in 41. "There were a lot of changes, yet our team continues to perform at the highest level," said captain Rodri after their latest win. It will take something special to break that rhythm.

Harry Kane will join Peter Shilton as England's most-capped player if he makes his 125th appearance, with Thomas Tuchel's side buzzing following a 7-0 win in Croatia. However, Kane warned: "Whenever you have a performance like this, it's not a chance to get carried away. We need to bring the same energy, the same performance [against Czechia]."

Czechia lost 2-0 at home to England on Matchday 2 and were beaten 5-0 on their last visit to Wembley in 2019. "It was a tough game against one of the best teams in the world; it was even tougher when we got down to ten men," was captain Ladislav Krejčí's analysis after the Matchday 2 meeting.

What to look out for in League B

Remaining League B fixtures

Monday 5 October B2 Northern Ireland vs Georgia B2 Ukraine vs Hungary B4 Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Poland B4 Romania vs Sweden

Tuesday 6 October B1 Scotland vs Slovenia B1 Switzerland vs North Macedonia

All kick-off times 20:45 CET

Storylines and players to watch

Switzerland are the only side in Group B who have a perfect record after three games and they will be looking to end the international break with 12 points as they host North Macedonia, still without a goal or a point in Group B1.

Northern Ireland had gone ten League B games without a win heading into this campaign but now have seven points from three matches. That run started with victory in Georgia and they could complete the double over them on Matchday 4.

Sweden's Viktor Gyökeres set a new record on Matchday 3 by scoring in a sixth consecutive Nations League game. Will he keep the streak going against Romania?

What to look out for in League C

League C fixtures

Monday 5 October C2 Cyprus vs Latvia (18:00) C2 Montenegro vs Armenia

Tuesday 6 October C3 Kazakhstan vs Faroe Islands (16:00) C1 Albania vs San Marino C1 Belarus vs Finland C3 Moldova vs Slovakia C4 Estonia vs Iceland C4 Luxembourg vs Bulgaria

All times CET; 20:45 kick-off unless stated.

Montenegro are the only League C team with a 100% record and they will look to make it four wins from four when they host Armenia, whom they beat 3-2 away on Matchday 2.

The top two meet in Group C3 with Moldova three points behind Slovakia and eager to make amends for their 2-0 reverse in Presov on Matchday 1.

Group C1 leaders Finland have scored nine goals so far, including four for Leo Walta and three for Joel Pohjanpalo ; Belarus will be tasked with keeping those two at bay on Matchday 4.