Euro 2024 is now less than a year away with teams across the continent scrambling for a seat on the plane to Germany.
With matchday five now complete, it’s time to turn our attention to the next set of fixtures during the September international break, with the last four winners of the competition – Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece – all in action.
A number of countries have more or less secured their spot at Euro 2024 already, but for some panic is starting to set in. Luckily, there is still plenty of time for teams to right the wrongs of previous games as they begin their final push for qualification.
Here’s how 90min thinks matchday six might play out.
Matchday six begins this Sunday with ten games across four Euro 2024 qualifying groups to feast on. In Group B – one of the toughest in qualification – the Republic of Ireland will play host to the Netherlands as Stephen Kenny looks to pull off one of the shocks of the international break.
Ireland’s dismal form places them in fourth with just one victory in the group so far, while the Netherlands are searching for a third win from four. Greece also take to the field when they host lowly Gibraltar, knowing a victory would see them leapfrog the Dutch if Ireland manage to get something from that clash.
The big clash in Group E is contested between Albania and Poland, both of whom are chasing Czechia in first place. With Czechia not in action in matchday six, a victory for either side would see them finish the international break atop their group.
Serbia will be hopeful of regaining top spot in Group G when they face Lithuania, while Northern Ireland are looking for only their second win in Group H. Denmark and Finland also face off in that group vying for top spot, while Slovenia take on the goalless, winless and pointless San Marino.
It will prove a crucial matchday for Robert Page’s Wales who need a win over Latvia to keep their slim hopes alive, while Portugal should maintain their strong start when they take on Luxembourg this Monday in Group J.
|
Date & time (BST) |
Group |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10/09/23 – 19:45 |
B |
Greece vs Gibraltar |
3-0 |
|
10/09/23 – 19:45 |
B |
Republic of Ireland vs Netherlands |
0-2 |
|
10/09/23 – 17:00 |
E |
Faroe Islands vs Moldova |
1-2 |
|
10/09/23 – 19:45 |
E |
Albania vs Poland |
0-1 |
|
10/09/23 – 17:00 |
G |
Montenegro vs Bulgaria |
1-1 |
|
10/09/23 – 19:45 |
G |
Lithuania vs Serbia |
0-2 |
|
10/09/23 – 14:00 |
H |
Kazakhstan vs Northern Ireland |
1-0 |
|
10/09/23 – 17:00 |
H |
Finland vs Denmark |
1-3 |
|
10/09/23 – 19:45 |
H |
San Marino vs Slovenia |
0-5 |
|
11/09/23 – 17:00 |
D |
Armenia vs Croatia |
1-2 |
|
11/09/23 – 19:45 |
D |
Latvia vs Wales |
0-1 |
|
11/09/23 – 19:45 |
J |
Iceland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina |
1-1 |
|
11/09/23 – 19:45 |
J |
Portugal vs Luxembourg |
5-0 |
|
11/09/23 – 19:45 |
J |
Slovakia vs Liechtenstein |
3-0 |
|
12/09/23 – 19:45 |
A |
Norway vs Georgia |
3-1 |
|
12/09/23 – 19:45 |
A |
Spain vs Cyprus |
4-0 |
|
12/09/23 – 19:45 |
C |
Italy vs Ukraine |
2-1 |
|
12/09/23 -19:45 |
C |
Malta vs North Macedonia |
0-2 |
|
12/09/23 – 19:45 |
F |
Belgium vs Estonia |
6-1 |
|
12/09/23 – 19:45 |
F |
Sweden vs Austria |
1-1 |
|
12/09/23 -19:45 |
I |
Israel vs Belarus |
2-0 |
|
12/09/23 – 19:45 |
I |
Romania vs Kosovo |
2-0 |
|
12/09/23 – 19:45 |
I |
Switzerland vs Andorra |
5-0 |
Scotland can only sit and watch as the other four teams in their group take to the stage. Both Spain and Norway will be eager to put their disappointing starts behind them with home victories in Group A.
Reigning champions Italy have also made a slow start to their European Championship defence after a 2-1 defeat at home to England, but the visit of Ukraine gives them the opportunity to finish the matchday in second place.
There are two ties in Group F with Sweden vs Austria the most competitive. Austria currently sit top of the group and a victory against the Scandinavians would put them in an incredibly strong position. They are, of course, competing with Belgium, who should enjoy a routine win at home to Estonia.
While there may be no standout clashes in Group I, Switzerland, Romania and Israel will be strong favourites to collect a trio of home victories when they play this Sunday. The current top three in Group I, they know any unexpected slip-ups could be devastating.
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