Scotland have drawn the short straw in the Euro 2020 play-off finals by having to visit Serbia but travel in fine spirits following a fine run of results. Their hosts can call on a number of top-class individuals, but have been inconsistent in recent times and could be worth taking on at the odds on offer.
Northern Ireland and Slovakia both needed penalties to reach the Euro 2020 play-off finals and another tight tussle is expected in Belfast. The visitors are rated a superior side on paper, but past evidence shows they do not travel well and that should ensure a cagey contest at Windsor Park.
There is one trophy in Europe that all players and teams want to win. Seen as the pinnacle of European football, the UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious trophy at club level, the one meant to elevate a player’s status and cement his legacy.
Everybody loves the passion involved in Premier League derbies and we’re taking a look at some of the local rivalries that will get pulses racing this season. Arsenal vs Tottenham will be the first to take place on September 1 and there are always fireworks when those north London foes meet.
With football now back under way across Europe, the continent’s top clubs can once again focus on the long term. Unfortunately the compressed post-Covid schedule and looming international commitments could lead to their star players tiring during the campaign and suffering from burnout.
Bayern won all 11 games in last season’s superb Champions League triumph and will look to pick up where they left off when entertaining Atletico. Los Colchoneros are always tough to beat and invariably make it through to the latter stages themselves, but FC Hollywood have an aura of invincibility right now.
Wales dropped points for the first time at the weekend but are top of their Nations League group ahead of the trip to Bulgaria. Ryan Giggs’ men had to settle for a goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin but lead the way in Group H with seven points from their first three fixtures.
Norway thrashed Northern Ireland 5-1 in Belfast in the Nations League last month and are hard to oppose in the return fixture in Oslo. The hosts are fighting it out with Austria at the top of Group B1 on six points, while their visitors are rock bottom with just one draw from three matches.
Republic of Ireland have been rocked by withdrawals during the current international break but can still battle to a draw when visiting Finland. The Eagle-owls won 1-0 when these teams met in the Nations League in Dublin last month, but there was very little in it at Aviva Stadium.
Italy are leading the way in a very tight Nations League Group A1 and get the nod to edge out second-placed Netherlands in Bergamo. The Azzurri have faced Holland three times in as many years, securing two narrow victories and a draw, so the omens look good for another positive result.
Ukraine are missing 14 players due to injury and coronavirus issues and Spain are fancied to take advantage in Tuesday’s Nations League clash. La Roja cruised to a 4-0 victory when these teams met in Madrid last month and should again be able to dictate proceedings in the return fixture.
Germany are well placed to challenge for top spot in their Nations League group and that should inspire them to victory against Switzerland. The visitors are struggling at the bottom of the table, although they did create plenty of chances in a 1-1 Basel draw versus Die Mannschaft last month.
Slovakia and Republic of Ireland have a history of tight tussles and Thursday’s Euro 2020 qualifying play-off promises to be another close encounter. These evenly-matched teams have played out four consecutive draws since the men in green shaded their first meeting 1-0 back in 2007.
Northern Ireland face a tough task when travelling to Sarajevo to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Euro 2020 qualifying play-off. The visitors are 12 places higher in the FIFA rankings, but their hosts have a far more talented team on paper and beat them twice in the Nations League two years ago.