November internationals: Rivals England and Scotland, Brazil and Argentina to clash
After a breathtaking start to domestic seasons all over Europe, club action takes a break for the next fortnight as World Cup qualifying and international fixtures return to prominence.
The European pools for qualification to the 2018 competition in Russia are starting to take shape after three fixtures, but games over the next week or so will tempt those with a bet365 bonus code & £200 welcome offer.
The standout game pits Auld Enemies England and Scotland against one another at Wembley in what promises to be a passionate affair.
Gareth Southgate has assumed temporary control over the Three Lions and will know that a victory could well get him the job on a full-time basis.
Gordon Strachan is under pressure after an inconsistent start to the qualifying campaign, with a 3-0 defeat to Slovakia last time out a major blow. Scotland’s chances of making Russia already look slim, while another loss here would leave them with a lot of work to do.
Elsewhere, Group A front-runners France and Sweden are set to clash in Paris, with a win for either side giving the victor control of the pool.
World champions Germany will expect to ramp up a cricket score away to San Marino, while Spain are heavy favorites to beat Macedonia.
Austria and Republic of Ireland will go head-to-head in what should be a high-quality affair in Group D, while Wales and Serbia also meet in that competitive pool.
Euro 2016 surprise package Iceland take on Croatia, with both sides sitting on seven points after their first three games. European champions Portugal have a home clash with Latvia.
South America’s big two are set to do battle in Belo Horizonte as Brazil host a struggling Argentina.
The hosts sit top of the ten-team qualifying group after four straight wins but La Albiceleste are toiling in sixth place and will hope Lionel Messi can inspire them to victory at the home of their fiercest rivals.
Brazil have been much-improved since the appointment of Tite and have in-form Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in their attacking ranks.
South America’s second and third-placed teams also are set to play off, with Uruguay taking on Ecuador in Montevideo, while Colombia’s game with Chile should also be a spectacle.
In North American qualification, the United States and Mexico prepare to clash in what should be an ideal marker of where the respective sides are in their progression towards the competition in Russia.
After the competitive action takes place, a round of international friendlies will pit some of the world’s best teams against each other.
Some of the highlights include England facing Spain at Wembley, Italy taking on Germany in Milan and European rivals Netherlands and Belgium clashing in Amsterdam.