The European qualifiers are back. England, Spain, Italy and Belgium can qualify this week while Cristiano Ronaldo will try and reach the 100-goal mark for his country. Here are Things to look out for in Euro 2020 Qualifiers. Bet on football here.
England and Belgium to seal their place in Euro 2020
England continue their march towards Euro 2020 when they take on Czech Republic in Prague on Friday. The Three Lions have a perfect record in qualification having won all their four games. Gareth Southgate’s side face perhaps their biggest test in qualifying away to the Czechs, who sit second in Group A on nine points having also played a game more than the visitors. However, England can seal their place in the competition if they beat Czech. Victory over San Marino would be enough for Belgium to qualify. Just like England, Roberto Martinez’s side have a perfect record and it shouldn’t be hard to get past San Marino a side ranked number 210 in the world.
Northern Ireland four-point challenge?
Northern Ireland played their first four Group C games against Belarus and Estonia, getting maximum points, but fell 2-0 at home to Germany last time out which saw them drop to second in the group. They require four points from their two games against the Netherlands or back-to-back wins from their November double-header at home to the Dutch and away to the Germans. They travel to Rotterdam with the Netherlands only three points behind with a game in hand after their two September wins, including 4-2 in Germany. Can they shock the Dutch?
Goals galore: Denmark v Switzerland
Denmark fought back from 3-0 down to draw in Switzerland the last time these two met in March. They met again in this Saturday and we should expect another thrilling encounter. In that game, the Swiss had a commanding 3-0 lead with just 15 minutes left to play but six minutes of madness saw the Danes roar back to snatch a 3-3 draw in one of the best games in qualification. Can they produce the same on Saturday?
Huge test for Croatia against Hungary
Although they reached last year’s World Cup final, Croatia haven’t been in the best form. An embarrassing 6-0 loss to Spain in the Nation League, a 2-1 loss to Hungary and a 1-1 draw away to Azerbaijan means they’re yet to build some momentum. However, they still sit top of Group E with ten points, one more than Hungary and Slovakia. A home win over the Hungarians will solidify their grip on top but this is the same side they lost to in March. Can Hungary upset the eighth best team in the world?
Can Ronaldo reach the 100 club?
Cristiano Ronaldo moved on to 93 international goals last month, scoring four against Lithuania as Portugal secured a 5-1 win in Vilnius. This means the forward is now only 16 goals behind men’s international record holder Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals in 149 games for Iran before retiring in 2006. The Portuguese face minnows Luxembourg in their next game. Can Ronaldo reach the 100-goal mark?
Italy resurgence
The Azzurri are not the same star-studded team that blew away teams more than a decade ago. Failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup was a disaster but Roberto Mancini is trying to revive a slumbering giant. They sit top of Group J with a perfect record. A win over Greece should be enough to secure qualification. Although qualification wouldn’t take Italy back to its lofty perch, it can be the beginning of something special.