After another sensational weekend of domestic football, not least the phenomenal second half when Liverpool met Manchester City on Sunday; we’re back to international action.
Head coaches and fretting fans can take a break while the spotlight shines on the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the UEFA European Nations League. There will be some big names appearing in both competitions so everyone back home will be hoping for a total absence of injury news.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at five blockbuster games which will surely provide plenty of action and drama to keep us entertained over the next week or so.
Italy vs Spain: Nations League, 6th Oct
Two of Europe’s aristocracy meet on Wednesday night in the Nations League semi-final, and the Azzurri are marginal favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.22, with the draw at 2.92 and Spain at 3.16. But La Roja have a score to settle, after they bossed their Euro 2020 semi-final against Italy only to lose out on penalties as the Italian warhorse Giorgio Chiellini unsettled the Spanish players with his pre-shoot-out laughter.
Italy will try to keep things as tight as ever and could boss the midfield, with Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli, PSG’s Marco Verrati and Chelsea’s Jorginho all in fine club from. For Spain, Manchester United keeper David de Gea is having a better season and the number one jersey will be between him and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon. Aymeric Laporte will be the powerhouse in defence, tasked with keeping the Italian strikers quiet, while Spain’s youthful strike pair of Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Manchester City’s Ferran Torres will be up against Italy’s granite defence.
France vs Belgium: Nations League, 8th Oct
The other semi-final is a meeting of the Euro 2020 under-achievers of France and Belgium. Neither reached the latter stages of the competition despite being widely held as the two nations with the best squads. France are a devastating attacking unit when they are in song, with a front three of Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Real Madrid’s Benzema and PSG’s Mbappe are both in scintillating form, with nine and five league goals respectively and Les Bleus start the game as 2.38 favourites, with the Red Devils at 2.87 with the draw at 3.12.
Belgium’s Kevin de Bruyne scored the second equaliser in Manchester City’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday but he looked off the pace, and he is unlikely to feature, which is a big loss to the visitors, who are still ranked first in the FIFA rankings but are not the same team without the City man.
Leicester duo Youri Tielemans and Timothy Castagne could feature and they may fill any creative gap left by De Bruyne.
Colombia vs Brazil: World Cup Qualifiers, 10th October
PSG’s Neymar and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus could be starting for the Selecao when they meet Colombia and if they win, it will be nine from nine for Tite’s men. The World Cup 2022 betting odds will surely take note. Brazil are always one of the favourites and they have a strong spine with the experienced Casemiro in midfield and front of Thiago Silva at the back.
Colombia’s World Cup 2022 results haven’t been so impressive and they are currently fifth in the South American qualifying table, so they have plenty of work to do to qualify. Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata will lead their attack with supply from Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado, while the centre back pairing of Everton’s Yerry Mina and Spurs’ Davinson Sanchez are likely to have a busy night.
Argentina vs Uruguay: World Cup Qualifiers, 11th October
Along with Brazil, Argentina have been leading the pack in South America and they are unbeaten, in second place with five wins and three draws. They can take a big step to Qatar with a win over Uruguay who are currently third. As Copa America winners Argentina have a spring in their step and with the Atletico Madrid pair of Rodrigo de Paul and Angel Correa in midfield, behind Lionel Messi and Inter’s Lautaro Martinez up front, they have plenty of attacking threat.
For Uruguay, Atletico Madrid’s centre back Jose Gimenez may be re-united with Diego Godin who is now at Cagliari, while the evergreen strike duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani may link up again.
Denmark vs Austria: World Cup Qualifiers, 12th October
Back in Europe, Denmark have one foot in the finals, top of Group F with six wins from six and a goal record of 22 to nil. Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel and Milan’s centre back Simon Kjaer are world class operators while Sampdoria’s Mikkel Damsgaard is an exciting prospect in an advanced midfield role.
Austria need a good second half of the campaign, currently fourth and four points behind second-placed Scotland, and they will rely heavily on FC Bayern’s Marcel Sabitzer for a goal threat, while Hoffenheim youngster Cristoph Baumgarter is another promising player to watch.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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