Tony Kelshaw 
Serbia have assembled a solid squad ahead of Russia 2018 and they are fancied to see off a Chile side missing several key players in Austria. Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez are among those absent for the South American outfit in this international friendly at the home of Sturm Graz.
Peru are rated as dark horses to do well at Russia 2018, whereas Saudi Arabia are rank outsiders and we reckon those World Cup odds will be reflected in this warm-up. The South American side did us a favour when beating Scotland 2-0 on Monday and a repeat of that performance should suffice in St Gallen, Switzerland.
Northern Ireland did well to draw with Panama on Tuesday and can repeat that feat when facing Costa Rica in San Jose on Sunday. This will be a first World Cup warm-up match for the hosts, before taking on England and Belgium, and they may just be in need of the outing.
Morocco are unbeaten in eight matches heading into Monday’s World Cup warm-up match with Slovakia and are tipped to come out on top in Geneva. The Atlas Lions have an experienced head coach in Herve Renard and a superb on-field general in Juventus centre-half Medhi Benatia.
Germany have failed to win any of four international friendlies played since qualifying for Russia 2018 but are fancied to end that barren run in Austria on Saturday. Following draws against England, France and Spain, Die Mannschaft were beaten 1-0 by Brazil, but this weekend’s opponents are a level below that quartet.
Iceland will be hoping for a morale-boosting win ahead of this summer’s World Cup, but Norway are no mugs and have named a strong-looking squad for this Reykjavik clash. The visitors claimed a couple of friendly wins in March and experienced head coach Lars Lagerback will be keen to maintain the momentum.
Republic of Ireland have been hit by some injury problems but should have enough strength in depth to see off a very youthful USA squad in Saturday’s Dublin friendly. The visitors can only call on a handful of players with any significant international experience and that must make them vulnerable at Aviva Stadium.
Favourite backers got their fingers burnt in the opening clash between England and Pakistan at Lord’s but we reckon the Three Lions can recoup those losses at Headingley. Joe Root appeared to make a big mistake when opting to bat first in tricky conditions after winning the toss and the hosts can hit back.
The Golden State Warriors will meet the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year and our money is on the California-based favourites to prevail. Steve Kerr’s side romped home by a 4-1 margin 12 months ago and a repeat of that scoreline is on the cards.
France will head to Russia 2018 as one of the favourites for World Cup glory and can warm up with a morale-boosting win over Italy in Nice. Les Bleus beat the Azzurri 3-1 in Bari when they last met in an international friendly a couple of years ago and look in even better shape now.
Sweden and Denmark are both preparing for this summer’s World Cup finals and that could lead to a cagey encounter when they meet at Friends Arena in Solna. Both teams qualified for Russia 2018 via the play-offs after producing solid, rather than spectacular, form during the group stage.
Australia can continue their World Cup preparations by drawing with a Czech Republic side rebuilding after missing out on Russia 2018. The Socceroos have a workmanlike squad and they showed plenty of resilience when holding Colombia to a stalemate in London in March.
World Cup hosts Russia could do with a confidence boost ahead of this summer’s tournament, but we fear Austria will deny them such a fillip in Innsbruck. Franco Foda’s side have beaten Uruguay, Slovenia and Luxembourg in their last three international friendlies and look a team on the upgrade.
Panama will be one of the weakest teams at this summer’s World Cup and we reckon Northern Ireland have nothing to fear from this week’s trip to Central America. Los Canaleros were thrashed 6-0 by Switzerland in a March friendly, whereas the Green and White Army pushed the same opponents close in a Russia 2018 play-off.