International football matches to look forward to this weekend

It’s another exciting week on the FIFA calendar, with some international games on the cards. France and Spain will also square up against each other in the UEFA Nations League final.

Czech Republic vs Wales

After surprising many at Euro 2020, Czech Republic will be disappointed with their current standing in their Group E. They are level on points with Wales but have played a game more with just two wins from their opening five games.

With a game in hand, this is probably a bigger game for Czech Republic but Wales will be desperate to avoid defeat on Friday. The absence of Gareth Bale is a blow for the away side, while Czech Republic welcome back a fully fit Patrik Schick.

Wales are unbeaten in their last three qualifiers but they haven’t exactly made easy work of any game and could come unstuck here with Bale absent.

Prediction: 1-0

Latvia vs Netherlands

Latvia have only lost one of their last four World Cup qualifiers but face an uphill task to get anything from this match.
Following questions about whether the Netherlands were too boring under Louis van Gaal, they won their last game 6-1 over Turkey.

This is an emphatic result that should give the team extra confidence moving forward.

Prediction: 0-3

Turkey vs Norway

Turkey enjoyed an impressive start to 2021, which included a 3-0 win away to Norway in the reverse fixture. They have since taken a turn for the worse since Euro 2020.

Read Also: Lessons Learned From Euro 2020

They crashed out of this summer’s major tournament at the group stage with three defeats from three games. And since then, they’ve won one of their three World Cup qualifiers. Last time out they were hammered 6-1 away to the Netherlands.

Norway will hope to reverse the result between the two from March but they are without star man Erling Haaland and several other first-team regulars. Defeat to Turkey remains their only loss on the road to World Cup qualification. They impressively held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw last month.

With the direction the Turkish national team is currently heading, Norway should fancy their chances of picking up at least a point.

Prediction: 1-1

Germany vs Romania

Hansi Flick has made a good start to life as Germany’s head coach with three wins from three; 12 goals scored and none conceded. Germany lost their final World Cup qualifier under Joachim Loew but Flick has quickly moved them four points clear at the top of Group J.

Romania have made a good recovery in qualification after losing back-to-back games in March. They are unbeaten across their last three qualifiers with two wins and a draw in that time. However, they are not expected to trouble Germany on Friday.

Prediction: 2-0

Andorra vs England

Andorra have lost five of their six qualifiers and were beaten 4-0 by England in the reverse fixture.

England have won five of their six qualifiers with a draw last time out to Poland.

Another big win is expected for England on Saturday despite concerns over the state of the pitch.

Prediction: 0-4

• 
  Jumoke Onibread: The rise and fall of an overnight celebrity
• 
  Christmas watchlist : Netflix Christmas romantic comedy 2024
• 
  Verbs that can be used as adjectives

Cyprus vs Croatia

Cyprus are bottom of Group H with four defeats from six matches. They did shock Slovenia 1-0 on home soil earlier in the campaign but are big underdogs here.

Croatia are level on points with Russia but currently hold top spot. Croatia have impressively kept clean sheets against Russia, Slovenia and Slovakia in their last three – their three toughest opponents in Group H.

Prediction: 0-3

Sweden vs Kosovo

Sweden are second and four points behind Spain in Group B but if they win both of their games in hand during this international break, then they will go top.

Kosovo will be slightly disappointed with a record of just one win from five qualifiers to date. They lost the reverse match 3-0 on home soil.

Sweden have recorded World Cup qualification wins at home to Spain, Italy, and France in their last five, stretching back to 2017, so they will expect three points here.

Prediction: 2-0

Scotland vs Israel

Back-to-back wins and three from their last four has put Scotland in a great position in Group F. They are currently second but only a point ahead of Israel.

Israel’s three-game winning streak in Group F came to an emphatic end last time out with a 5-0 loss to leaders Denmark. The reverse fixture ended 1-1 between the two sides, but Scotland will be looking to make the most of home advantage here.

Prediction: 1-0