Chelsea begin the defence of their Champions League title with what looks a straightforward test when entertaining Zenit. The Russian side have every incentive to do well, as they will host the final in St Petersburg, but look up against it on all known form.
Man Utd paid the price for two away defeats when failing to qualify from last season’s Champions League pool so will be fully focused for this trip. The good news is that the Red Devils enjoyed a 3-0 win over Young Boys in Berne three years ago, when Paul Pogba hit a double.
There has been little to shout about for both of these teams this season, with Watford’s win over Aston Villa now looking a long time ago. Wolves’ first campaign without Nuno Espirito Santo in the dugout has got off to the worst possible start, losing all three games.
No manager was under more scrutiny during the international break than Mikel Arteta and Arsenal must beat Norwich to help silence his critics. Both of these teams have yet to pick up a Premier League point this season but all the pressure is on the Gunners.
Everton have quietly made a fine start to the new Premier League season and will be confident of seeing off Burnley at Goodison Park. The Clarets took four points off the Toffees last term but have been slower to find top gear after another summer of transfer inactivity.
England have gone 17 games against Poland without defeat since a 1973 loss in World Cup qualifying, winning 11 of those subsequent meetings. However, matches between these teams are traditionally competitive, including March’s 2-1 Wembley victory for the Three Lions.
Scotland have already drawn once with Austria during World Cup qualifying and we’re backing these teams to share the spoils again. Denmark are currently running away with Group F but this duo will be hoping to challenge current second Israel for the runners-up spot.
Ireland’s World Cup qualification hopes look in tatters and they have never beaten Group A leaders Serbia in six meetings. However, we still believe the men in green have been playing better than their bare results suggest and do have a big performance in them.
Netherlands will seek to avenge a 4-2 loss in Turkey at the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign and have fared much better since. Louis van Gaal is a steadying influence on this talented Dutch team, plus Virgil van Dijk’s return from injury is a major boost.
Louis Van Gaal had to settle for a share of the spoils with Norway in his first game back in the Oranje dugout and now faces another tricky assignment as Netherlands welcome Montenegro to Eindhoven. Both of these sides sit a point behind pace-setters Turkey in Group G.
It is second in Group G versus fourth as only one point separates the top quartet in the most competitive pool of the European section of World Cup qualifying. Netherlands are the favourites for this clash as Louis Van Gaal begins his third spell in charge.
Burnley and Leeds both line up at Turf Moor in search of a first Premier League victory following a testing start to the season. United at least have the luxury of a point on the board and Marcelo Bielsa’s side are rated the most likely winners.
Tottenham received a huge boost when Harry Kane revealed he will be staying put and they can celebrate by seeing off Watford. Nuno Espirito Santo has started out with a couple of hard-fought 1-0 Premier League wins but may see this as a chance to open up more.
Norwich enjoyed a welcome boost when hitting Bournemouth for six in the EFL Cup and are fancied to be competitive against Leicester. The Canaries had to endure a tough return to the Premier League when beaten by Liverpool and Manchester City but heads haven’t dropped.