Euro 2016 qualifying resumes this week with defending European champions Spain, England, Italy and World Cup winners Germany all in action.
Here are six qualifiers to keep close tabs on this weekend.
Georgia vs Germany
Germany has had a less-than-convincing qualifying round thus far. The world champions have won two of their first four matches, but are tied with Ireland and Scotland for second in Group D.
The positive is that the Germans are just three points behind leaders Poland. Germany could move into first place if it can defeat Georgia on Sunday. The hosts have won just one qualifier, which came away to Gibraltar.
The Georgians have also lost five straight competitive home matches. Germany has recorded a victory in their previous three meetings against Georgia, so this could be a one-sided game.
Germany had to come from behind to draw Australia in a friendly on Wednesday and were not convincing. The Germans have won just three times in seven games since the World Cup.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Georgia vs Germany on Sportsnet ONE at 11:45 am ET, Scotland vs Gibralter on Sportsnet 360 at 11:45 am ET, Northern Ireland vs Finland on Sportsnet World at 11:45 am ET, Portugal vs Serbia on Sportsnet 360 at 2:30 pm ET and Ireland vs Poland on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW: Albania vs Armenia at noon ET, Romania vs Faroe Islands at noon ET and Hungary vs Greece at 2:45 pm ET. || Broadcast schedule
Portugal vs Serbia
Both Portugal and Serbia are in desperate need of a win on Sunday. They sit second and third in Group I, respectively. They also have a game in hand on leaders Denmark.
Serbia is in more trouble than Portugal at the moment. The Eagles have won just one game so far, while the Portuguese has won back-to-back matches after losing its opener versus Albania.
Portugal manager Fernando Santos received some good news prior to the game. Santos received an eight-game touchline ban due to an incident with Greece at the World Cup. This suspension was cut down to four games. However, he’ll still be barred from contacting his players on Sunday.
Portugal and Serbia have faced each other twice before this match. Each game ended in a 1-1 draw in Euro 2008 qualifying. The Serbians ended up missing the tournament by three points, with Portugal nicking the final spot in Group A.
Israel vs Wales
Over in Group B, first-placed Israel faces Wales on Saturday, who is just a point behind the hosts.
Israel has a game in hand on the Welsh, so a win could widen its gap at the top to four points with an extra match yet to play.
Welsh boss Chris Coleman won’t have Jazz Richards, who pulled out of the squad due to injury. Cardiff City defender Declan John will take his spot.
Israel’s attack has been on fire so far in qualification. Lior Refaelov, Eran Zahavi and Omer Damari are all key components and could trouble the Welsh defence.
Wales and Israel met in 1958 World Cup qualification. The Welsh won both playoff matches 2-0 to qualify for the tournament.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Kazakhstan vs Iceland on Sportsnet World at 10:45 am ET, Croatia vs Norway on Sportsnet ONE at 12:45 pm ET, Czech Republic vs Latvia on Sportsnet World at 1:00 pm ET, Italy vs Bulgaria on Sportsnet ONE at 3:30 pm ET (joined in progress on the four main Sportsnet channels at 4:00 pm ET and Netherlands vs Turkey on Sportsnet World at 3:30 pm ET. || Watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW: Azerbaijan vs Malta at 1:00 pm ET, Andorra vs Bosnia at 3:45 pm ET, Belgium vs Cyrpus at 3:45 pm ET and Israel vs Wales at 3:45 pm ET. || Broadcast schedule
Bulgaria vs Italy
Italy is tied with Croatia for first place in Group H. The Azzurri could grab the top spot with a win over Bulgaria on Saturday.
Antonio Conte’s selection generated plenty of controversy in Italy, as he picked foreign-born players Eder and Franco Vazquez. Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini was among those who opposed Conte’s choices.
However, given the injuries and the Italian youth teams calling up some of Conte’s regulars, he had no choice. Mattia Perin and Andrea Pirlo had to stay home. However, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli are available after a suspension and injury, respectively.
The Italians have only lost twice to Bulgaria in 17 games.
England vs Lithuania
England has won all four of its games so far in Group E. The Three Lions hold the top spot by six points over Slovenia and Switzerland, two teams they have defeated already.
The English face Lithuania on Friday at Wembley, where they have only conceded once so far in qualifying.
Roy Hodgson has a few injuries in his squad. Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Luke Shaw and Fraser Forster had to withdraw, while Raheem Sterling is still dealing with a knock. However, the Liverpool forward should be fine by Friday, although he will not be available for the Italy friendly next week.
According to the English newspaper the Daily Mail, Hodgson has Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane starting up front together on his team sheet. Whether or not they play together versus Lithuania is unknown, but it’s clearly a possibility.
This will be the first ever meeting between England and Lithuania, who has lost back-to-back qualifiers after winning their opening two matches.
Spain vs Ukraine
Spain and Ukraine are tied for second in Group C entering their pivotal match on Friday. They trail undefeated Slovakia by three points for the top spot in the group.
La Roja manager Vicente Del Bosque has to make one change to his squad. Chelsea striker Diego Costa withdrew due to his lingering hamstring issues. Malaga’s Juanmi was called in to replace the former Atletico Madrid forward. Sergio Busquets was on the Barcelona bench for last weekend’s El Clasico, but he should be fit enough to start.
Ukraine boss Mykhaylo Fomenko also has just one injury concern. Sergiy Sydorchuk of Dynamo Kyiv withdrew and was replaced by Serhiy Rybalka. Otherwise, Fomenko’s squad is fully fit.
These teams have met just three times. Spain has won twice and drawn once, outscoring Ukraine 8-3 in the process.
Friday programming alert: Watch England vs Lithuania on Sportsnet ONE and the four main Sportsnet channels at 4:00 pm ET and Spain vs Ukraine on Sportsnet World at 3:30 pm ET. || Watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW: Macedonia vs Belarus at 3:45 pm ET, Slovenia vs San Marino at 3:45 pm ET, Switzerland vs Estonia at 3:45 pm ET, Liechtenstein vs Austria at 3:45 pm ET,
Moldova vs Sweden at 3:45 pm ET and Montenegro vs Russia at 3:45 pm ET. || Broadcast schedule