10 Key Battles in World Football for Weekend of October 9-14
We've reached another international week in the world football calendar, with clubs from most major leagues taking a respite as countries prepare to do battle instead in various friendly and competitive fixtures.
Key Battles therefore eschews the domestic scene this weekend to focus on the international fixtures, covering games from Thursday through to Tuesday.
We're looking at the Euro 2016 qualifiers, AFCON qualifiers and non-competitive action.
England vs. San Marino
1 of 10
We'll start off with a game that is expected to be goal-laden: England vs. San Marino.
It's not one to watch if you want tactical intrigue, an even battle with both teams going for the win or the chance of an upset; the San Marino boss has already conceded it will be an exercise in "damage limitation"—England won 8-0 the last time the two sides met.
However, there will be chances, shots and (presumably) goals aplenty, the chance to see Wayne Rooney inch closer to the England goalscoring record and probably the most emphatic win of the entire international week.
Poland vs. Germany
2 of 10
In Group D, the big stories relate to who will finish in second place behind Germany and, thanks to the expansion of the European Championship, who sneaks third place and a play-off spot. Group D is one of the few with four teams that could realistically vie for those spots, with Poland certainly thinking they will be capable.
Matches between Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and themselves will be critical—while any unexpected points taken off Germany could be the difference between success and failure.
There is also the side story of the in-form Robert Lewandowski playing against the nation he fares so well in at club level, as well as the continued monitoring of the post-World Cup German side.
Sweden vs. Russia
3 of 10
Group G sees a big clash between two of the sides that should be looking at first place, though neither of them occupy that position after Gameweek 1.
Sweden will likely be without their captain and record scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the match against Russia, who themselves are still searching for a clear identity and successful style ahead of the World Cup on home soil in 2018.
You'd imagine the winner of this game will take a big step toward at least a top-two finish, and it is a game neither can afford to lose.
Brazil vs. Argentina
4 of 10
On Saturday, one of the world's least "friendly" friendlies takes place, with Brazil and Argentina set to face off in China.
The match will be played in Beijing in a prestigious affair that will attract plenty of local and international attention and feature the likes of Neymar, Kaka, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.
As it is just a friendly, the result might not be too telling, but given the depth of rivalry, the intense coverage of the game and the fanaticism of those watching back home, it's always a game to watch and be enthralled by, whatever the outcome.
France vs. Portugal
5 of 10
If you're thinking this looks more like a Euro 2016 quarter-final match than a qualifier, fear not: It's just a friendly.
The two will do battle following contrasting World Cups. Portugal bombed in Brazil, exiting at the group stage in entirely unimpressive fashion and have since swapped head coaches; France played some terrific football and have a clear path forward under Didier Deschamps.
Portugal lost their opening qualifier against Albania, while France are hosts of Euro 2016.
Senegal vs. Tunisia
6 of 10
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are into the final group stage and things are pretty straightforward: the top two qualify, the bottom two do not (with the exception of the best third-place team).
This international break sees a double-header in each group, with teams facing off against each other in games three and four of the group stage.
The Senegal vs. Tunisia matchups look set to be the ones that decide who tops Group G. A win for each in their upcoming games would probably suit them both—but if one team fails to win either match, Egypt will no doubt be ready to pounce and steal second place after their back-to-back clashes with Botswana.
Japan vs. Brazil
7 of 10
Another friendly for Brazil sees them take on Japan in Singapore.
The world tour for the Selecao continues as new head coach Dunga looks to put his ideas in place for the coming years and tournaments.
New selections this time around include the return of Kaka, uncapped right-back Mario Fernandes of CSKA Moscow. Robinho, Neymar and David Luiz are other stars set to be on show, while Japan will be hoping to give a better account of themselves than they managed on Brazilian soil in the World Cup.
Germany vs. Republic of Ireland
8 of 10
Back to Group D of the Euro 2016 qualifiers, and Germany's second game of the week comes against the Republic of Ireland.
Ireland came through a tough opening game in Georgia to win, 2-1, but they will be measured as potential top-three finishers by their performance against Germany. Group rivals Scotland produced a great display against the world champions and came close to taking a point from the game, and as goal difference could easily play a part in this tight group, Ireland cannot afford to be easily and soundly beaten by the Mannschaft.
In World Cup 2014 qualifiers between these teams, Germany won 3-0 and 6-1.
South Africa vs. Congo
9 of 10
Back to the AFCON qualifiers now. South Africa are looking good to qualify following their failure to make the 2014 World Cup, but they face two difficult tests against Congo, who top Group A.
A win in either fixture will almost certainly be enough to keep South Africa clear enough of the other sides in the group, Nigeria and Sudan, ahead of the final two games, but there is little margin for error.
Nigeria won the last AFCON event, hosted in South Africa in 2013, yet the Super Eagles have taken just one point from their opening two games; two wins from their double-header against Sudan are imperative as they hope for a slip-up from South Africa.
Denmark vs. Portugal
10 of 10
Our final Euro 2016 qualifier is an important game for both Denmark and Portugal, the two favourites in Group I before Gameweek 1.
The Danes, however, only just managed to overcome Armenia in their opening fixture, while as we noted earlier, Portugal lost to Albania. A home win for Denmark in this fixture would really give them the early advantage, especially if they take a positive result against Albania on Thursday.
This match, on Tuesday, is a must-win game for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. if they are to get their qualification campaign back on track; they cannot really afford to be sitting eight points behind Denmark, even with a game in hand and with much of the qualification phase still to play.
