With Nations League action coming thick and fast and loads of mouth-watering friendlies (no, that’s not an oxymoron) taking place throughout the world, you’d be wise not to make any plans on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Here are five games you’d be an absolute idiot to miss …

Netherlands v France

When is it?

Friday night at 20:45 CEST

Where is it?

De Kuip in Rotterdam – the home of Feyenoord.

Why should I watch it?

We’re at the business end of the first ever UEFA Nations League campaign now and this one could prove rather decisive.

You may not have noticed, but Ronald Koeman’s Clockwork Oranje have shown signs in their last couple of games that the good times could finally be on their way back for the Netherlands.

If the Dutch win this game, they will need just one more win against Germany on Monday to win this group. However, if France win, they will win the group with one game to spare.

Crucially, if the Dutch win, Germany will be relegated on Friday.

Say what you like about the Nations League, but you can’t deny it’s made things more interesting.

Give me one player to watch from each team …

For the hosts, it has to be young Frenkie de Jong. His form for Ajax has seen him linked with some of Europe’s top teams and the midfielder looks like he has a very bright future ahead of him, both at club and international level.

Les Bleus will have a few players missing but Didier Deschamps is still likely to name a strong side, and you should never pass up an opportunity to watch Kylian Mbappé.

Prediction?

We fancy a 2-2 draw in this one.

Brazil v Uruguay

When is it?

Friday night at 21:00 CEST

Where is it?

The Emirates Stadium in London – home of Arsenal.

Why should I watch it?

There won’t be any competitive international football taking place in South America until June, but this one promises to be a very feisty friendly.

Brazil and Uruguay are the two early favourites for next summer’s Copa America and both sides are likely to treat this game as an early test of their credentials.

With the likes of Marcelo, Casemiro and Phillippe Coutinho all out injured, Brazil boss Tite may be forced into some experimentation, while Luis Suárez could partner Edinson Cavani up-front for the first time since the World Cup.

There’s nothing on the line except pride, but that’s something they happen to take very seriously in that part of the world.

Give me one player to watch from each team …

With Casemiro ruled out through injury, we’re looking forward to seeing what 23-year-old Hannover 96 midfielder Walace brings to the table for Brazil.

And for Uruguay, it will be interesting to see how Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira gets on in the familiar surroundings of the Emirates Stadium.

Prediction?

It’s going to be a full-blooded affair which Brazil will win 3-1.

Argentina v Mexico

When is it?

Saturday morning at 01:00 CEST

Where is it?

Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba.

Why should I watch it?

We’ll get the bad news out of the way early: Lionel Messi won’t be playing, and neither will Sergio Agüero or Gonzalo Higuaín.

But the good news is, Paulo Dybala, Mauro Icardi and Lautaro Martínez are all available for selection, and those three are worth tuning in for any day of the week.

This will be the first of two friendlies in four days between La Albiceleste and El Tri (seems they couldn’t be bothered to find another opponent) and it will be interesting to see how far both sides have come since the World Cup.

Give me one player to watch from each team …

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For Argentina, it has to be the aforementioned Lautaro Martínez. The 21-year-old has impressed since joining Inter from Racing Club in the summer and we’re excited to see how he might perform in a front-three alongside Dybala and club team-mate Icardi.

And for Mexico, we’re going to suggest Wolves striker Raúl Jiménez. Mexico need somebody to finally take the goalscoring mantle from Chicharito and at 27, it might be now or never for Jiménez.

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Prediction?

We fancy an exhilarating 4-2 win for Argentina.

Italy v Portugal

When is it?

Saturday night at 20:45 CEST

Where is it?

San Siro in Milan – home of AC Milan and Inter.

Why should I watch it?

Italy put in what was probably their best performance under Roberto Mancini so far in the 1-0 win over Poland last time out and though their chances of winning Group 3 and qualifying for the Final Four of Nations League A are pretty slim, a win over Portugal will take it to the final fixture.

The Portuguese, however, have shown that there is definitely life after Cristiano Ronaldo in their two Nations League victories (one of which was a 1-0 win over Italy) and another one in Milan will see them win the group with a game to spare.

What we’re looking at here is two good teams at the beginning of new evolutionary cycles. Have you really got something better you could be doing on a Saturday night than watching this game?

Give me one player to watch from each team …

In the blue corner, we’re going to suggest Federico Chiesa. The young Fiorentina winger has apparently attracted the attention of a number of top European clubs with his performances this season, and he was excellent in the win over Poland last month.

And for Portugal, it has to be Bernardo Silva. Any opportunity to watch this guy should be grabbed with both hands. He’s amazing.

Prediction?

Italy have a pretty formidable home record – especially in Milan – but we’re going to say 1-1 here.

England v Croatia

When is it?

Sunday afternoon at 15:00 CEST

Where is it?

Wembley Stadium in London.

Why should I watch it?

Remember how we said earlier that the Nations League has made international football more interesting? This replay of the World Cup semi-final will prove decisive in Group 4, and literally anything could still happen.

If England win, they will top the group, Spain will finish second and Croatia will finish third.

If Croatia win, they will top the group, Spain will finish second and England will finish third.

A 0-0 draw will see Spain top the group and England finish second, but a score draw will see Spain top the group and Croatia finish second!

What a crazy competition.

Give me one player to watch from each team …

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After making his first start for England in Thursday’s friendly victory over the United States, it will be interesting to see how many minutes Jadon Sancho gets in this one. With the way he’s been performing for Borussia Dortmund this season, there’s absolutely no reason why Gareth Southgate shouldn’t deploy him liberally from now on.

And for Croatia, keep an eye out for the wonderfully named Tin Jedvaj. The 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star scored twice against Spain on Thursday, despite the fact he’s a left-back.

Prediction?

We reckon England will avenge their World Cup heart-ache and win this one 1-0 – a result which will see them top the group.