Your guide to Saturday’s games

Present European champions Italy are one of many sides in motion this Saturday as Euro 2024 qualification continues forward of the event in beneath a 12 months’s time.

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

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

Right here is your information to Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.

All instances are BST.

Ukraine vs North Macedonia – 14:00

Ukraine’s worldwide break in September introduced blended feelings. It started with an excellent 1-1 draw with England in Poland however completed with a disappointing defeat away in Italy. Consequently, 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 maintain tempo with Italy in second forward of their anticipated win in opposition to Malta. Ukraine got here from two targets down with half an hour remaining to win 3-2 away in North Macedonia within the reverse fixture, a outcome which has in the end stored their qualification hopes alive.

North Macedonia additionally sit on seven factors alongside Ukraine and Italy and can be searching for revenge this Saturday. Blagoja Milevski’s males have responded nicely 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 recreation in control of Italy could not be much more easy. The previous Napoli boss welcomes Malta to Bari on Saturday and followers can be anticipating the present European champions to place the fourth-lowest FIFA ranked European facet to the sword.

Considerably surprisingly, Italy solely managed a 2-0 win away in Malta again in late March, having failed to attain greater than two targets in opposition to the minnows of their final 5 encounters. Spalletti can be hoping for a extra lavish show from his facet this time as they purpose to maintain 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 lifeless rubber. Either side sit on two factors and backside of Group G, though Lithuania have a barely worse aim distinction. Neither facet can be taking part in at Euro 2024, however the probability for a primary group victory is to not be sniffed at.

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

Hungary vs Serbia – 19:45

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

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

Nevertheless, Serbia and Hungary are each in robust kind, whereas neither have proved all-conquering in a decent group. Maybe the 2 nations can be pretty happy with some extent apiece on Saturday to maintain Montenegro at bay.

Northern Eire vs San Marino – 14:00

Northern Eire’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 will likely be official.

San Marino are the one facet Northern Eire have crushed within the group levels and a victory on Saturday is important to easily keep away from embarrassment. The European minnows have unsurprisingly failed to choose up some extent in six group video 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 Eire, 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 one more twist this weekend. Slovenia have been in sensational kind, successful 4 of their six group video games, however their one defeat did come by the hands of Finland again in June.

That outcome put Finland in a powerful place to qualify, however two defeats to Denmark have put a spanner within the works. Due to this fact, a optimistic outcome away in Slovenia might show definitive in Group H, with Denmark and Kazakhstan able 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 a terrific probability of only a fourth main event go to.

Denmark vs Kazakhstan – 19:45

Each Denmark and Kazakhstan can be eagerly awaiting the end result of Slovenia vs Finland, realizing it is attainable to complete 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 Eire to their tally. They sit some extent behind Denmark and Slovenia within the group and stage with Finland as they appear to qualify for a primary main event.

Denmark have the benefit of a house tie with Kazakhstan this day out and can be cautious of a possible upset. In the event that they win on Saturday night and Slovenia draw or lose, they may transfer to the highest of Group H.

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