Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020 via Group I are all but over, so they should be able to play with freedom when visiting Russia. Their hosts are on course to finish second after posting five wins and a loss to leaders Belgium from six fixtures, including last month’s 2-1 triumph at Hampden.
Northern Ireland have picked up maximum points from their first three Euro 2020 qualifiers but may have to settle for a draw in Belarus on Tuesday. Michael O’Neill’s men needed an 87th-minute decider to beat the same opponents 2-1 in Belfast back in March and face a tricky test at Borisov Arena.
Spain look a class apart in Euro 2020 qualifying Group F and can kick off with a smooth success against Norway at the Mestalla in Valencia. The Scandinavian side have not reached a major tournament since 2000 and still appear short of star quality heading into this campaign.
Portugal have been handed what looks a pretty straightforward start to the defence of their European Championship crown when entertaining Ukraine. The visitors, now coached by Andriy Shevchenko, are no mugs but they have always tended to struggle up front when coming up against elite-level nations.
With the UEFA Nations League now on hold until the summer, the England national team can turn its attention to the qualifying campaign for Euro 2020. Ahead of the first matches kicking off later this week, we’ve analysed data on every qualifying campaign since Euro 96 to see what might be in store for Gareth Southgate’s young side.
Austria and Poland both go into Euro 2020 qualifying with very experienced squads and are hard to split ahead of Thursday’s Group G opener in Vienna. With Israel, Slovenia, Latvia and Macedonia the other teams in this section, each manager may well be satisfied with a share of the spoils to start out.