Euro 2024 qualifiers today: Your guide to Friday’s games

We’re entering the business end of Euro 2024 qualification ahead of next summer’s tournament in Germany.

The October international break will host the penultimate rounds of fixtures ahead of next month’s potentially dramatic conclusion to qualifying.

October’s action begins on Thursday night and while England’s friendly with Australia might steer some away from Friday’s qualifying action, there are still plenty of mouthwatering encounters around the continent worth tuning in for.

All times are BST.

Republic of Ireland vs Greece – 19:45

Ireland are set to miss out on another major tournament, but they were dealt a tough hand by being drawn alongside France and the Netherlands in Group B.

Stephen Kenny’s side have acquitted themselves well against the group’s big boys on home soil, but they desperately needed a win over the Dutch last month to boost their chances of qualifying. Ireland have just three points through five games and next play host to a Greece side hoping to pip the Netherlands to second spot.

The Greeks have won three of their five encounters, beating Ireland 2-1 in the reverse fixture in June.

Netherlands vs France – 19:45

France have been Group B’s dominant force having won all five of their games and will advance into Euro 2024 should they avoid defeat on Friday night.

While this should be their toughest game in the group, Ronald Koeman has been hamstrung by several key injuries with the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt both absent from his October squad. France should have too much for the hosts, with the Netherlands’ more significant encounter arriving on Monday against Greece, whom they sit level on points with having played a game fewer.

Austria vs Belgium – 19:45

Belgium were a dire watch towards the end of Roberto Martinez’s tenure, but they’ve enjoyed an exuberant resurgence under former RB Leipzig manager Domenico Tedesco.

Sweden have been left in the dust by these two sides, with Belgium and Austria both looking likely to qualify from Group F. They’ve each won four games, drawing the reverse fixture 1-1.

Sweden are currently seven points adrift with three games to play and travel to Belgium on matchday eight. Given their excellent campaigns so far, this is somewhat of a free hit for both sides on Friday night.

Portugal vs Slovakia – 19:45

Portugal, alongside France and Scotland, are just one of three nations to maintain a 100% record through qualifying prior to the start of matchday seven and their last result – a 9-0 thumping of Group J’s surprise package Luxembourg – was as emphatic as it gets.

Fernando Santos’ side are yet to concede a goal amid their quest to qualify for next summer’s tournament, although they do have a tricky test against Slovakia on Friday night. Portugal edged the reverse fixture 1-0, with Slovakia winning four of their six games.

They may have scored just eight times, but they’ve only conceded two. All hail Milan Skriniar!

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