Weekend tips: Manchester derby, Milan derby, and LaLiga leaders | OneFootball
Weekend tips: Manchester derby, Milan derby, and LaLiga leaders
OneFootball
OneFootball
It may be the international break but there is still plenty of football in Europe this weekend!
England expects
After a disappointing draw against Hungary, Gareth Southgate’s men have the chance to secure World Cup qualification with two winnable games during this international break.
First up, England welcome Albania to Wembley, a match they will want to win comfortably. If Poland fail to win in Andorra then a trip to Qatar next winter will be assured.
However, the Three Lions will need to be at their best, the Red and Blacks are no pushovers. Ranked 63rd in the world they beat Hungary both home and away, something England failed to do.
Still, Southgate’s side are expected to win: the margin of victory is the only real discussion point and Albania should be no real match for them.
Harry Kane should lead the line despite a disappointing run of form for Tottenham. In fact, November’s domestic pause could provide the inspiration to show new club boss Antonio Conte that he still has that golden touch.
England have scored 24 goals across their previous eight games, and Kane to open the scoring sits at 3.20, as he does to grab the last goal.
Les Champions
It’s back to business for the World Champions after an October break from Qatar 2022 qualifying. However; it wasn’t a month of relaxation for Didier Deschamps all-conquering side.
As the rest of Europe pushed on with the race for the World Cup, Les Bleus were busing hoovering up another trophy to add to their impressive list.
A 2-1 victory against Spain saw them crowned Uefa Nations League champions, their first title since the 2018 World Cup win in Russia and not a bad way to kick start their run-in to what should be another appearance at Fifa’s showpiece tournament.
Unbeaten and leading qualifying group B, France are all but there, a total of 12 points from six games gives them a three-point cushion to second-placed Ukraine, with a game in hand.
Next up is Kazakhstan in a clash that sees top take on bottom.
In the reverse fixture, which was the side’s only previous meeting, France ran out 2-0 victors and a similar ending is envisaged in the Parc des Princes. A 3-0 win this time out sees a return of 4.75.
Battle for the top
Italy were favourites to lift the Uefa Nations League trophy during the last international break, but a shock defeat to Spain ended that dream, eventually finishing third via the ever-popular play-off that no beaten semi-finalist wishes to play.
November sees Roberto Mancini’s side face Switzerland, who they are locked with at the top of group C on 14 points. Both teams have an identical unbeaten record of played six, won four and drawn two so a fascinating prospect awaits at the Stadio Olimpico.
The last time the two sides met was in September, a 0-0 draw was played out, but just three days later Italy went on to thrash Lithuania 5-0, and now the battle between them rages to see who will top the group and fly direct to the Middle East for a sunshine-filled November/December 2022.
Having tasted disappointment for the first time in a long time last month, the Italians will wish to lay down a marker and avoid any potential repeat of a playoff that saw them miss out on qualification for Russia in 2018.
The Azzuri are 4.00 to win the game and both teams to score, worth a look as Switzerland are partial to a goal or two themselves.
