5 Tips for Thursday’s International Action - 2/6/22

Czech Republic faces Switzerland in Prague as one will look to get a head start in the likely battle to avoid relegation in League A Group 2.

The last edition of the Nations League proved successful for the Euro 2020 quarter-finalists, as the Central European nation gained promotion from League B. In their last eight games, however, the Czech Republic, featuring the likes of Tomas Soucek and Patrick Schick, has only won games against Belarus and Estonia.

Switzerland continues to prove time and time again not to be underestimated. The team who knocked out World Champions France at last year's Euros claimed another scalp in World Cup qualifying, finishing above Italy and ultimately costing the European Champions a place in Qatar.

The Swiss have only lost to England in their last 11 games, so an away win is likely in Prague.

Northern Ireland will be looking to make a swift return to League B as they start their League C Group 2 campaign against former European Champions, Greece.

It’s been a period of stagnation for Ian Baraclough’s side. Since qualifying for Euro 2016 and narrowly missing out on the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, Northern Ireland’s form has been inconsistent at best. The Nations League provides an opportunity for the side to build on a few promising results, such as the 0-0 draw with Italy last November.

Greece has been in the footballing wilderness for almost a decade now, with their appearance at the 2014 World Cup the last time the nation qualified for a major tournament. Positive results against the likes of Sweden and Spain in the last year, however, have shown signs that the 2004 European Champions are beginning to improve.

Northern Ireland will just have enough against Greece here and with three of their last four games providing just one goal or less, a Northern Ireland clean sheet is probable.

World Cup qualifiers Serbia welcome Norway to Belgrade on Thursday, as both teams look to gain promotion to League A for the first time.

Serbia surprised the footballing world last year when they finished top of their World Cup qualifying group, with a 2-1 win in Lisbon sending Portugal to the play-offs. Mitrovic, who got the winning goal that night at the Estadio Da Luz, has had his greatest scoring season, netting 43 times in 46 games as Fulham eased to the Championship title.

Norway's emerging team will prove to be a difficult task for any nation. This is underpinned by their star striker, Erling Haaland, looking set to show his talent in the Premier League season. Scoring 15 goals in 17 games for his country, the Manchester City-bound striker will cause major problems in Belgrade.

This match is difficult to call, but Mitrovic and Haaland both getting on the scoresheet is very likely.

The two heavyweights of League A Group 2 go head to head in Seville on Thursday as the Iberian derby takes place.

Spain was a penalty shootout away from the Euro 2020 final until Italy shattered their dreams. Luis Enrique’s side were spared the embarrassment of going through the World Cup play-offs thanks in part to Sweden’s shock 2-0 defeat to Georgia. Spain has not won against their neighbours in normal time for 12 years, with a 1-0 win at the 2010 World Cup their last triumph.

Portugal finally secured passage to the 2022 World Cup in March, seeing off spirited North Macedonia. This was a warning though to Fernando Santos’ side to not be as complacent, with costly dropped points to Serbia and Ireland putting the team still headed by Ronaldo in play-off jeopardy, to begin with.

Their last competitive international meeting was the 3-3 classic in the 2018 World Cup, however, this time we back Spain to secure a win with Portugal most likely getting on the scoresheet.

The World Cup favourites head East on Thursday as they play arguably the best team in Asia, South Korea, in Seoul.

Brazil secured their place at the 2022 World Cup through CONEMBOL qualifying at a canter. Not losing a single one of their 17 games and winning 14, the five-time world champions finished six points clear of their nearest competitors, Argentina. Raphinha’s arrival on the national team stage has bolstered Brazil’s attack even further, with the Leeds United star providing five-goal contributions in his seven games.

South Korea themselves comfortably continued their streak of featuring in every World Cup since Mexico 1986. Their new crop of stars is undoubtedly spearheaded by Tottenham striker, Son Heung-Min. The Joint Premier League goalscorer this season with 23 goals has also been helping his nation, scoring important goals in qualifying against rivals Iran and Iraq.

Brazil should have enough firepower in this friendly, and Raphinha scoring a goal could well be on the cards.