International Friendlies

France will be seeking a third quick win in World Cup warm-up matches when hosting the USA in Lyon and should be up to achieving that feat. Les Bleus have already seen off the Republic of Ireland 2-0 and Italy 3-1 in the last couple of weeks. More...

Spain will be keen to make a statement of intent when facing Tunisia in Krasnodar, six days before taking on Portugal in their World Cup opener. La Roja are among the favourites to claim outright glory at Russia 2018, following a couple of disappointing efforts at the last two major tournaments. More...

Denmark and Mexico have found goals hard to come by in World Cup warm-up matches and a tight tussle is expected when they meet in Brondby. Both teams have netted just once in their last three international friendlies as preparations continue for Russia 2018. More...

Peru have put together a strong set of results in World Cup warm-up matches and may be good value to get the better of Sweden in Gothenburg. Los Incas have rattled off four straight wins in international friendlies this year, scoring 10 times and conceding only once. More...

Switzerland have only lost once in 12 games since the start of last year and are worthy favourites to edge out Japan on home turf in Friday's World Cup warm-up match. The Samurai Blue have been far from impressive in recent friendlies, including last week's 2-0 loss to Ghana in Yokohama. More...

Poland are rated as lively outsiders for World Cup glory and can continue their preparations with a narrow win over Chile in Poznan. Both teams won their last international friendlies but the Eagles look better equipped to maintain that momentum on Friday night. More...

England complete their World Cup preparations when facing Costa Rica in Leeds on Thursday and we're not underestimating the visitors. Los Ticos drew 0-0 with the Three Lions at Brazil 2014 en route to reaching the quarter-finals and have shown some useful form in recent international friendlies. More...

Croatia and Senegal have produced moderate results in international friendlies and both look to be saving their best for the World Cup. That could lead to a cagey, low-key affair in Osijek on Friday, with chances expected to be few and far between. More...

Uruguay will complete their World Cup preparations by entertaining Uzbekistan in Montevideo and a smooth success should be on the cards. La Celeste won seven of their nine home games when qualifying for Russia 2018 by finishing second behind Brazil in the South American section. More...

Germany have had an uncharacteristically sloppy build-up to Russia 2018 but should get back on track when facing Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on Friday. Miroslav Klose hit a hat-trick as Die Mannschaft enjoyed an 8-0 romp when these teams last met at the 2002 World Cup. More...

Iceland have struggled a bit in World Cup warm-up matches and may be content to steady the ship by drawing with Ghana in Reykjavik. The Nordic outfit have lost to Mexico, Peru and Norway in the build-up to Russia 2018, so avoiding another defeat will be the first target here. More...

South Korea could do with a confidence-boosting win ahead of the World Cup and appear to have found suitable opponents in Bolivia. The Taegeuk Warriors have lost three of their last four international friendlies but this Innsbruck clash represents a drop in class. More...

Portugal put in a solid display when drawing with Belgium on Saturday and should now look for a morale-boosting win against Algeria in Lisbon. This will be the final World Cup warm-up match for the Euro 2016 champions before they take on Spain at Russia 2018. More...

Belgium were below par when held to a goalless draw by Portugal on Saturday but warrant another chance to impress when hosting Egypt in Brussels. The Red Devils scored a joint European record 43 goals in qualifying and will hopefully find a way to break the Pharaohs down. More...

Norway have put together a good run of international friendly results this year and are fancied to edge out Panama in Oslo. The Scandinavians have responded well to missing out on the World Cup and will be seeking a fourth straight victory here. More...

Nigeria showed plenty of industry in the second half against England and more of the same would make them a solid bet to beat the Czech Republic in Austria. Having failed to qualify for the World Cup, the Czechs looked short of motivation when crushed 4-0 by Australia on Friday. More...

Russia could do with a morale boost ahead of the World Cup and are fancied to edge out Turkey in Tuesday's Moscow international friendly. The hosts have gone six games without a win but their desire and hunger to hit form before facing Saudi Arabia a week on Thursday can prove decisive here. More...

Anfield will stage a cracking Russia 2018 warm-up match on Sunday when Brazil take on Croatia and we're backing the Selecao to come out on top. Brazil recovered from conceding an early own goal to win 3-1 when these teams met at the last World Cup in Sao Paulo and they can confirm that superiority. More...

England will be hoping to further enhance an impressive defensive record under Gareth Southgate when entertaining Nigeria in Saturday's international friendly at Wembley. The Three Lions have only conceded one goal in their last six matches and go into this World Cup warm-up game as hot favourites. More...

Mexico couldn't break down Wales in Monday's World Cup warm-up in Pasadena but Scotland may struggle to keep them out at the iconic Azteca Stadium this weekend. Alex McLeish's inexperienced squad have already gone down 2-0 to Peru on this trip and face another tough test here. More...

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. More...

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. More...

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. More...

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. More...

Spain and Switzerland both go into Sunday's World Cup warm-up match in Villarreal in fine form but the hosts are expected to prove a cut above. La Roja strengthened their position as one of the favourites for Russia 2018 glory when thrashing Argentina 6-1 in their last international friendly. More...

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. More...

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. More...

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. More...

Belgium are half the price of Portugal for World Cup glory this summer and have a better recent record in international friendlies ahead of their Brussels clash. The Red Devils are 11/1 to prevail at Russia 2018, with the Navigators quoted at 22/1 to follow up their Euro 2016 triumph. More...

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. More...