Euro 2016 Upset Alert: Upcoming Qualifiers That Could Provide a Surprise
Euro 2016 qualification has only just begun, but already the campaign has provided no shortage of surprises.
Just last month the Netherlands were comfortably beaten by Iceland in Reykjavik, while Slovakia shocked Euro 2012 winners Spain in Zilina, where they posted a memorable 2-1 win.
Almost every bracket has provided at least one astonishing result so far, and the pattern will likely continue into the coming week's round of matches.
Following are six potential upsets to look out for between now and Sunday.
Friday: Portugal vs. Armenia
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Armenia quite nearly progressed to the play-off round of Euro 2012 qualification but were controversially defeated in the final match of their Group B schedule.
Goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky was incorrectly sent off in the showdown with the Republic of Ireland—an incident which actually included a Simon Cox handball.
This time around the Havakakan have opened their Group I schedule with a narrow loss to Denmark and draw with Serbia.
They'll face Portugal at Estadio Algarve on Friday and will be looking for a repeat of their August 2007 encounter in which they earned a 1-1 draw.
Friday: Georgia vs. Poland
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Poland are top of Group D going into Friday's match away to Georgia and have already beaten Germany in Euro 2016 qualifying.
But they could only manage a draw at home to Scotland the last time out, and there's a feeling that their spot at the summit is anything but secure.
Georgia, meanwhile, lost close encounters with the Republic of Ireland and Scotland before beating Gibraltar 3-0, and with the likes of Vitesse defender Guram Kashia and Anzhi Makhachkala centre-back Gia Grigalava working along the back line they should be hard to break down, especially at home.
Tbilisi is never an easy place to go in search of a win.
Saturday: England vs. Slovenia
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England and Slovenia last faced one another at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa—a match settled by Jermain Defoe's 23rd-minute winner.
The Three Lions, with a trio of wins from a trio of outings to date in Group E, have begun Euro 2016 qualification brightly, although they had to huff and puff to break down Estonia the last time out.
Just three points behind England are Slovenia, who picked up an impressive win over Switzerland on October 9.
The presence of Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic always means they'll be in with a shout—even at Wembley on Saturday—and veteran striker Milivoje Novakovic will be looking to pick up where he left off on October 12, when he bagged a brace against Lithuania in Vilnius.
Saturday: Switzerland vs. Lithuania
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Switzerland were a seeded team at the 2014 World Cup and took eventual finalists Argentina all the way to extra time in the round of 16.
Their Euro 2016 qualification campaign hasn't been nearly as impressive. At least, not yet.
A 2-0 loss at home to England in September was followed by a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovenia last month, and although they shellacked San Marino 4-0 in their most recent outing they still sit a disappointing fourth in Group E.
Three points above the Swiss are Lithuania, who will be visiting St. Gallen on Saturday.
The world's 92nd-ranked international outfit, according to FIFA, is a genuine threat in the bracket and in striker Simonas Stankevicius boasts an up-and-coming Leicester City youth player.
Saturday: Montenegro vs. Sweden
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Montenegro have yet to make it to a major tournament, but they certainly made an impression in 2014 World Cup qualifying when they held England to a 1-1 draw in Podgorica.
In the likes of defender Marko Basa, midfielder Nikola Vukcevic and striker Stevan Jovetic they have a strong core around which players such as Stefan Savic, Elsad Zverotic and Mirko Vucinic combine to create a formidable squad.
In three Euro 2016 qualification matches the Brave Falcons have conceded just a single goal, and they'll be hoping to extend their impressive defensive record when they host Sweden on Saturday.
The guests, who have won one and drawn two of their three matches to date, will likely begin the match with talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the bench—something that will make the prospect of an upset rather more likely.
Sunday: Belgium vs. Wales
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Given their place atop Group B, can Wales even be considered underdogs ahead of Sunday's match away to Belgium?
Probably, especially as the Red Devils—quarter-finalists at the 2014 World Cup—are still ranked fourth in the world and have players of exceptional quality throughout the squad.
Playmaker Eden Hazard has had a fine start to the 2014-15 Premier League season with Chelsea, and Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne is the Bundesliga's assist leader through 11 matches.
But Wales will go into the encounter with a fully fit Gareth Bale available for selection, and midfielders Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Joe Ledley should ensure the guests leave a good impression in Brussels.
