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.
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.
Peru famously beat Scotland 3-1 at the 1978 World Cup and look in good shape to prevail in this warm-up fixture ahead of Russia 2018. The South American side have beaten Croatia 2-0 and Iceland 3-1 in international friendlies since qualifying for this summer’s tournament.
With the deadline for naming provisional World Cup squads fast approaching, Gareth Southgate will surely be scribbling down and crossing off names in search of the perfect combination for the plane to Russia. To assist him in his deliberations, we’ve turned to the data and come up with a simple … Read more
Think Hungary will win? BET HERE! Think Scotland will win? BET HERE! Explore all bets Odds: Hungary 7/4, Draw 21/10, Scotland 8/5 Kick Off: 1900, 27/03/2018 Stadium: Groupama Arena Alex McLeish made an uninspiring start to his second term as Scotland boss with a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica and … Read more
Think Wales will win? BET HERE! Think Uruguay will win? BET HERE! Explore all bets Odds: Wales 5/2, Draw 9/4, Uruguay 21/20 Kick Off: 1230, 26/03/2018 Stadium: Guangxi Sports Center Ryan Giggs enjoyed a dream start as Wales boss with a 6-0 rout of China, but the honeymoon period could … Read more
Think Germany will win? BET HERE! Think Brazil will win? BET HERE! Explore all bets Odds: Germany 6/5, Draw 23/10, Brazil 11/5 Kick Off: 1945, 27/03/2018 Stadium: Olympiastadion TV: BT Sport Brazil will be determined to exorcise the demons of their last clash with Germany when these teams meet in … Read more
Think Spain will win? BET HERE! Think Argentina will win? BET HERE! Explore all bets Odds: Spain 21/20, Draw 12/5, Argentina 5/2 Kick Off: 2030, 27/03/2018 Stadium: Wanda Metropolitano TV: Sky Sports Julen Lopetegui has yet to taste defeat in 17 matches as Spain boss and the hosts are fancied … Read more