Nations League’s Fantastic Four: Who is best placed to lift trophy?

‘It’s up for grabs now’ as a famous commentator once said. With Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and Spain all absent, the four countries that have made it through to the inaugural Nations League Finals at combined odds of 294/1 will all fancy their chances of winning it.

Portugal have home advantage but England believe it’s coming home. Holland are rejuventated under Ronald Koeman and Switzerland will think they can beat anyone after thrashing Belgium 5-2 in the most eye-catching qualification result of all.

Sportsmail casts an eye on the four finalists who will battle it out in June…

ENGLAND

QUALIFICATION

Began slowly with a home defeat against Spain and goalless draw behind closed doors in Croatia. But everything changed in a stunning first half in Seville when they scored three against the Spaniards, through Raheem Sterling (2) and Marcus Rashford. The job was completed on Sunday against Croatia at a buoyant Wembley

STAR MAN – HARRY KANE

The goalscoring responsibility is spread more evenly these days but the main man is still Kane. The World Cup Golden Boot winner scored his 20th international goal against Croatia at the weekend and underlined once again he’s a man for the big occasion. Gareth Southgate took an age to select his captain but few now doubt Kane was the right choice

Harry Kane scored the winning goal against Croatia which saw England progress to the semis

MANAGER – GARETH SOUTHGATE

Arguably the most popular man in the country, Southgate has reconnected the England team to the supporters and wider public in a way that was unimaginable a few years ago. He’s put the emphasis on youth, attacking technical football and his players behaving modestly off the pitch. The best England manager since Sir Bobby Robson.

CAN ENGLAND END THEIR TROPHY JINX?

England are currently the highest-ranked nation of the four finalists and their team is packed with Champions League experience; Kyle Walker, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli, Sterling, Harry Winks, Rashford, Kane and others. The final missing piece of the jigsaw is a creative midfielder, a late run for Phil Foden?

WHAT IS THE SECRET BEHIND ENGLAND’S REVIVAL?

Every big decision Southgate has taken has proved to be a good call, from choosing Jordan Pickford above Joe Hart and Jack Butland to be his No 1, to naming Kane as skipper. He’s also stayed loyal to Sterling and Rashford during dips. Southgate has been in the FA system for a long time and that’s helped build a profile of the players coming through. He knew better than anyone the potential of Gomez, Stones, Winks, Sancho and others.

Jordan Pickford has proven to be the right choice to replace Joe Hart as England’s No 1

HOLLAND 

QUALIFICATION

Rank outsiders at 8/1 in a group that…