International Break 2...

Another eventful Premier League weekend has come to a close and we head into a week of international football. For some national teams it could end with Euro 2024 qualification, others could see their dream finally extinguished.

Scotland once again go into the week within touching distance of qualification. Norways win over Georgia last month dragged it out, but they can seal it this week with a trip to Spain on Thursday. A draw is enough, even defeat could be if Norway fail to beat bottom of the group Cyprus. Norway host Spain on Sunday, where an away win would put Scotland through if they had failed to do it Thursday.

One of the big games of the week in on Friday as Netherlands host France. France lead the group on 15 points with the Dutch and Greece on 9 points - the Dutch having played one less game. Greece go to Ireland in their first game, before hosting Netherlands next Monday, which could be another massive game in the group. More on Ireland later..

England versus Italy is the big game in group C, and the England (13pts) lead at the top of the group could be down to 3 points as Italy (7) face Malta first on Saturday. Ukraine and North Macedonia are also on 7 points and meet in Poland on Saturday. Ukraine then go to Malta, knowing 2 wins keeps them in the fight. The England-Italy game on Tuesday could leave the losers in a real fight for top 2 qualification, however England do have the comfort of a home game with Malta next month.

Group D is very tight, and could get tighter this week. Croatia and Turkey lead the way on 10 points with Armenia and Wales on 7, all played 5 except Croatia who have played one less.
The top two meet in Croatia on Thursday while Armenia go to pointless Latvia. Wales then host Croatia on Sunday and Turkey host Latvia.

Another tight group, E sees top of the group Albania (10pts) host second placed Czech Republic (8, with a game less played) on Thursday. Poland, on 6 points, face Faroe Islands on the same night before hosting 3rd Moldova (8) on Sunday while the Czechs host the Faroes.

Belgium and Austria have a comfortable 7 point lead over Sweden in group F. The top 2 meet in Austria on Friday, with a winner guaranteeing qualification. Belgium then host Sweden and Austria go to Azerbaijan.

The top two also meet in Group G on Saturday. Hungary host Serbia with both on 10 points. Montenegro in 3rd on 8 points, go to Serbia on Tuesday while Hungary face bottom place Lithuania.

Another very tight group, Slovenia and Denmark sit atop Group H with 13 points, but Finland and Kazakhstan are only a point adrift on 12. Saturday sees Slovenia vs Finland and Denmark vs Kazakhstan. Slovenia and Denmark then go to the bottom 2, Northern Ireland and San Marino respectively, while Finland host Kazakhstan. Looks a pivotal week in this group.

Group I has been affected by the horrific events in Israel, as their game with top of the table Switzerland is in doubt. That was scheduled for Thursday, the same night second placed Romania (12pts) go to Belarus. Romania then host Andorra on Sunday, Switzerland (14pts) host Belarus and Israel (11pts) go to Kosovo.

Portugal have 18 points from 18, and welcome Slovakia (13) on Friday. A win will confirm the inevitable qualification if Luxembourg (10) fail to beat Iceland. Portugal then go to Bosnia on Monday, while Slovakia are in Luxembourg in the fight for second.

Republic of Ireland are relying on others for a second shot at qualification via the Nations League play-offs, and Wales too could benefit if they fail to finish top 2. As it stands, the Welsh will get a place with only Poland from League A currently outside the top 2 of their group. Would take a lot for them to miss out. For Ireland it is far less secure. On current standings they miss out, needing 2 countries ahead of them who aren't in the top 2 of their group to get in - but not at the expense of another team ahead of them! A bit complicated to explain, but they could do with Bosnia or Iceland overtaking Slovakia and the Welsh finishing above Turkey!


Elsewhere, it is games 3 and 4 in the South American qualifiers. Argentina play Paraguay and Peru, while it is Venezuela and Uruguay for Brazil.

The Asian World Cup qualifiers get under way, but at this stage none of the big hitters are in. They have friendlies.

Friendlies too for Africa and Oceanic, while in the CONCACAF it is Nations League - although the big 4 aren't in it at this stage.


Could be fun, good luck to all - especially those who could help Ireland.