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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.