There’s a break in the schedules this week for the Premier League and domestic football action because we have another six days of Euro 2020 Qualifiers and international football around the globe to look forward to. With a particular focus on how the home nations, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus the Republic of Ireland will do over those six days.
All the teams have at least one, if not two, important Euro 2020 qualifiers to play in that period and the fates of their participation in the expanded tournament next summer may well hinge on the outcome of the results that they can land in this selection of games.
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Let’s now see the games that each of the four home nations, plus the Republic of Ireland have coming up over this International Break
England
- V Czech Republic (A) – Friday 11th October
- V Bulgaria (A) – Tuesday 14th October
After four wins from four, England top Group A with maximum points and with a three point gap, despite having played a game less than all other teams. Two wins here from these two tough away games would confirm England as Group Winners.
The first of the two games looks the toughest as the Czech’s can be a tough team to beat on home soil and they have improved somewhat since losing 5-1 to England in the first game in the group. Bulgaria are also stronger on home soil but they have lost all their last three games and I think lack the quality and confidence to cause England too many problems.
I think England will win in Bulgaria and while I expect the game in Prague to be tougher, I also feel Gareth Southgate’s team has the quality on the counter attack to land the win here.
Tips – England to beat Czech Republic, England to beat Bulgaria.
Northern Ireland
- V Netherlands (A) – Thursday 10th October
- V Czech Republic (A) – Monday 14th October
Could Northern Ireland do the unthinkable and split Germany and the Netherlands to claim a qualification spot from Group C? The Irish have won four of their five games, losing just the once at home to Germany, but their remaining three games see them face the Netherland twice and Germany once. They begin those games in Holland on Thursday before having a friendly on Monday against the Czechs.
The Dutch are an improving side and after a fine win in Germany against the Germans, they have put themselves in a strong position in the group. I feel they will be far too strong for the Irish on home soil and I think the Netherlands will secure an important win.
The Czech Republic is a friendly game and I can see Michael O’Neill perhaps trying a few new things and new players in this game, which makes me feel it could be a struggle for them here.
Tips – Netherlands to beat Northern Ireland, Czech Republic to beat Northern Ireland
Scotland
- V Russia (A) – Thursday 10th October
- V San Marino (H) – Sunday 13th October
Three defeats in a row have all but ended Scotland’s faint hopes of reaching the finals next summer and defeat in Russia will confirm that against a team that have won all of their last five games in the group.
Along with Belgium, the Russians have been by far and away the strongest in the group and in truth, qualification for the two big teams in Group I looks a mere formality, with the only question being who comes top of the group out of the two.
Scotland then face a relatively straightforward home game against San Marino which they should win and win comfortably and it then looks like being another process of rebuilding ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers which will begin next year.
Tips – Russia to beat Scotland, Scotland to beat San Marino.
Wales
- V Slovakia (A) – Thursday 10th October
- V Croatia (H) – Sunday 13th October
This is going to be the pivotal two games in this group for Wales. Already trailing the teams above them by at least three points, albeit having a game in hand, Wales need to pick up probably at least four points from these two very tough games in order to stand a chance of qualifying for the Championships next summer.
Slovakia is a tough place to go and get a result, especially against team whose home form is so strong. Croatia are also a very dangerous opponent, and they were World Cup Finalists just a couple of years back. They also top the group and know a win here would give them every opportunity to progress.
Wales should have Bale and Ramsey back for both games but I feel they are going to need them and a huge slice of luck to get something from both matches and I feel this could be a long and eventually disappointing weekend for Welsh football.
Tips – Slovakia to beat Wales, Croatia to beat Wales.
Republic of Ireland
- V Georgia (A) – Saturday 12th October
- V Switzerland (A) – Tuesday 15th October
Things are very tight in Group D with Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland all standing a chance of claiming qualification from the group. The Irish have two huge away games coming up against Georgia and Switzerland and they wll know it is vital to try and take at least four points from those two games.
Georgia away could be their best chance of landing a win as this Georgian side is not as strong as others in the past. Switzerland away though is going to be a very tough task against a side that have been ranked highly in the world for some time now and who have a good record against teams at home, and who do not concede too many goals.
I can’t see there being too many goals in either of these games this week and while I can see Ireland perhaps squeaking a 1-0 win over Georgia, I think they may well struggle to pick anything up from the trip to Switzerland. However those three points could well prove vital and would set up a pulsating final clash in the group for them at home to Denmark. A side who they have unfinished business with.
Tips – Ireland to beat Georgia, Switzerland to beat Ireland.
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