Your guide to Saturday’s games

Current European champions Italy are one of many sides in motion this Saturday as Euro 2024 qualification continues forward of the match in underneath a yr’s time.

A visit to Germany subsequent summer time lies in await these fortunate sufficient to qualify from their teams, with the match edging nearer with every passing week. This October worldwide break may show pivotal for dozens of countries throughout Europe, with some aiming to safe their Euro 2024 ticket.

While little may be formally selected Saturday, there are nonetheless definitive clashes in Group C, G and H, together with some nervy prime of the desk encounters.

Here is your guide to Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.

All occasions are BST.

Ukraine vs North Macedonia – 14:00

Ukraine’s worldwide break in September introduced combined feelings. It started with a superb 1-1 draw with England in Poland however completed with a disappointing defeat away in Italy. As a consequence, Ukraine’s qualification for Euro 2024 is in jeopardy.

Serhiy Rebrov’s facet want a victory from their house encounter with North Macedonia on Saturday to hold tempo with Italy in second forward of their anticipated win in opposition to Malta. Ukraine got here from two objectives down with half an hour remaining to win 3-2 away in North Macedonia within the reverse fixture, a consequence which has finally saved their qualification hopes alive.

North Macedonia additionally sit on seven factors alongside Ukraine and Italy and shall be in search of revenge this Saturday. Blagoja Milevski’s males have responded effectively to their 7-0 thrashing by the hands of England, drawing 1-1 with Italy and beating Malta 2-0 in September. Their conflict with Ukraine guarantees to be a closely-fought affair.

Italy vs Malta – 19:45

Luciano Spalletti’s third sport in control of Italy could not be much more simple. The former Napoli boss welcomes Malta to Bari on Saturday and followers shall be anticipating the present European champions to put the fourth-lowest FIFA ranked European facet to the sword.

Somewhat surprisingly, Italy solely managed a 2-0 win away in Malta again in late March, having failed to rating greater than two objectives in opposition to the minnows of their final 5 encounters. Spalletti shall be hoping for a extra lavish show from his facet this time as they purpose to hold tempo with England and transfer away from Ukraine and North Macedonia.

Bulgaria vs Lithuania – 17:00

Saturday’s match between Bulgaria and Lithuania is one thing of a useless rubber. Both sides sit on two factors and backside of Group G, though Lithuania have a barely worse aim distinction. Neither facet shall be enjoying at Euro 2024, however the likelihood for a primary group victory shouldn’t be to be sniffed at.

Bulgaria shall be slight favourites for this one, particularly given their house benefit, however the factors had been shared the final time these two groups confronted off in a 1-1 draw again in June. Neither nation shall be brimming with confidence, however Bulgaria’s 65-place superior FIFA rating means there shall be extra stress on them to get a consequence.

Hungary vs Serbia – 19:45

Hungary’s sport with Serbia is the opposite conflict in Group G and is the exact opposite of a useless rubber. These two nations are the highest two within the group, tied on ten factors earlier than they meet once more on Saturday.

Both sides are two factors above third-placed Montenegro, however Hungary have the benefit of a sport in hand on the opposite groups within the group. It was certainly Hungary who had the final giggle of their final assembly, beating Serbia 2-1 thanks to two objectives in as many minutes earlier than the break in Belgrade.

However, Serbia and Hungary are each in sturdy kind, whereas neither have proved all-conquering in a good group. Perhaps the 2 nations shall be pretty glad with a degree apiece on Saturday to hold Montenegro at bay.

Northern Ireland vs San Marino – 14:00

Northern Ireland’s Euro 2024 dream is all however over after 5 successive group stage defeats, but when they in the event that they fail to defeat Europe’s worst facet in San Marino then it is going to be official.

San Marino are the one facet Northern Ireland have overwhelmed within the group levels and a victory on Saturday is important to merely keep away from embarrassment. The European minnows have unsurprisingly failed to decide up a degree in six group games, racking up a -21 aim distinction with out scoring.

Even a good-looking victory in opposition to San Marino is not going to paper over the numerous cracks in Northern Ireland, though it will present some much-needed respite.

Slovenia vs Finland – 17:00

First-placed Slovenia tackle third-ranked Finland with Group H readying itself for an additional twist this weekend. Slovenia have been in sensational kind, successful 4 of their six group games, however their one defeat did come by the hands of Finland again in June.

That consequence put Finland in a powerful place to qualify, however two defeats to Denmark have put a spanner within the works. Therefore, a optimistic consequence away in Slovenia may show definitive in Group H, with Denmark and Kazakhstan prepared to pounce on the facet that drops factors.

Slovenia have solely certified for the Euros as soon as earlier than means again in 2000, with Saturday’s encounter giving them an ideal likelihood of only a fourth main match go to.

Denmark vs Kazakhstan – 19:45

Both Denmark and Kazakhstan shall be eagerly awaiting the result of Slovenia vs Finland, figuring out it is doable to end the night prime of Group H.

Kazakhstan’s spectacular qualification marketing campaign was spearheaded by a sensational 3-2 comeback victory in opposition to Denmark on matchday two, including a victory in opposition to San Marino and two in opposition to Northern Ireland to their tally. They sit a degree behind Denmark and Slovenia within the group and stage with Finland as they give the impression of being to qualify for a primary main match.

Denmark have the benefit of a house tie with Kazakhstan this trip and shall be cautious of a possible upset. If they win on Saturday night and Slovenia draw or lose, they may transfer to the highest of Group H.

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