Tony Kelshaw 
Japan will have fond memories of facing South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, when famously pulling off a stunning upset to prevail 34-32. The Brave Blossoms have been superb on home turf this time around, claiming the scalps of Ireland and Scotland, so they could well test the Springboks again.
Cardiff are three points behind Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship table after 11 rounds of fixtures but still appeal due to their strong home form. The Bluebirds have secured four victories and a draw with Fulham from five league games in Wales, beating QPR 3-0 in the last match at this venue.
Ireland have won two of their last three games against New Zealand and can be competitive in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash. The All Blacks are still the team to beat as they chase a hat-trick of titles, but no longer seem able to totally dominate other top nations at this level.
England were beaten by Australia at the last Rugby World Cup but have won all six meetings since then and look in better shape at present. Eddie Jones’ side cruised through the group stage as Pool C winners, albeit without having to face France, whereas the Wallabies laboured to second place behind Wales.
Huddersfield began to turn their season around with two straight wins before the international break and can pick up a decent point when visiting Blackburn. Rovers are six points and seven places above Town in the Championship table, but are coming off a sticky patch and may settle for steadying the ship.
Nottingham Forest have built up some strong momentum in the Championship this term and are taken to prove too hot for Wigan at DW Stadium. The Latics have done well to win their last couple of games at this venue against Charlton and Birmingham, but this is rated a tougher test.
Switzerland must go for a win when taking on the Republic of Ireland in Geneva and are fancied to get their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign back on track. The Swiss are four points behind Ireland and Denmark, but have a game in hand and finish off with matches against Georgia at home and Gibraltar away.
England will be determined to quickly exorcise the demons of Friday’s loss in the Czech Republic when visiting Bulgaria. The Three Lions tamely surrendered a decade-long, 43-match unbeaten run in European and World Cup qualifying matches in Prague but are expected to get back on track in Sofia.
Northern Ireland have a good record against the Czech Republic and are worth backing to grind out a draw in Prague. The Green and White Army picked up a point at Generali Arena during qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and have gone four head-to-head clashes without defeat.
Scotland must try to salvage some pride from a miserable Euro 2020 qualifying campaign when hosting Group I whipping boys San Marino. The Scots suffered a fourth straight defeat in this pool when losing 4-0 away to Russia on Thursday, but their opponents were crushed 9-0 by Belgium on the same night.
Netherlands were almost caught napping by Northern Ireland but will hopefully be more on the ball when visiting Belarus in Euro 2020 Group C. A fully focused Dutch outfit should be able to secure a smooth success in Minsk, against opponents who have failed to score in their last four home games.
Scotland are fancied to keep their World Cup hopes alive by seeing off tournament hosts Japan. Gregor Townsend’s men must come out on top to qualify for the quarter-finals, but can take heart from having prevailed in all seven past meetings with the Brave Blossoms.
Republic of Ireland will face Georgia for the seventh time in six years when travelling to Tbilisi for Saturday’s Euro 2020 qualifier and have a great head-to-head record. The men in green have won five and drawn the other of their previous encounters, including a 1-0 Dublin victory back in March.
Emile Heskey won 62 international caps for England as a powerful front man and performed with distinction for several Premier League clubs. In an exclusive interview with bwin, the former Liverpool, Leicester and Aston Villa forward discusses some of the hot topics in the game.