10 Players to Watch in World Football This Weekend November 14-18
It's that time of week again when we cast our eyes around the globe at the games to come over the next few days—but with a bit of a different slant this time, as we have once more reached an international break.
That means all our players to watch out for over the weekend come from national sides playing in prestigious friendlies and vital qualification matches alike, which it also means our "weekend" is slightly extended to cover matches from Friday to Tuesday.
Our 10 players to watch are a mix of the game's biggest names and a few mere mortals, all of whom could have a telling impact on their respective games.
Ikechi Anya, Scotland
1 of 10
We'll start in Group D, one of the tightest in Euro 2016 qualification, where Scotland host Republic of Ireland on Saturday. Three points separate the top four in the group, in which Germany are not flying clear as expected, Poland are leading and Ireland just behind on goal difference.
A win for Scotland pulls them level with both nations and right back in the mix for automatic qualification, something Gordon Strachan will definitely have targeted, even if he doesn't speak of it publicly. To that end, a home win over rivals Ireland is an absolute must, especially with their usually less-than-solid defence.
Wide midfielder Ikechi Anya has the pace, dribbling ability and directness in the final third to give Ireland problems at the back. Whether creating chances for himself or others, he could be the man who turns the game in Scotland's favour.
Nani, Portugal
2 of 10
Portugal just about escaped with a 1-0 win against Denmark last time out, but they are still playing catch-up in Group I after a defeat to Albania in their opening match. To that end, they simply must beat Armenia at home in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday.
We already know Portugal's main threat is Cristiano Ronaldo, but the rest of the team have to contribute too.
Nani has been in decent scoring form for Sporting, where he is on loan this season, having netted five goals in 13 games, including three in the Champions League. Can he finally take some of that form back to the international scene? Armenia won't be a pushover; Portugal must take a positive result.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Denmark
3 of 10
Sticking in the same group as Portugal, Denmark face Serbia away from home. The Danes top Group I with four points from three games, but most rivals have played a game less—that last-minute concession of a goal to Portugal could prove costly.
Serbia have their own catching up to do though, following a three-point deduction for the drone incident and ensuing crowd trouble in their fixture against Albania.
The match could be a tight and tense affair, and Denmark will look to Bayern Munich youngster Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to continue his seamless step up to senior football with a creative and dominant display in the centre of the park. He hasn't had too much game time with Bayern of late but is a regular for his national side; a big performance here will do his nation and himself the world of good.
Teofilo Gutierrez, Colombia
4 of 10
Colombia are in friendly action over the weekend, playing the United States in London and Slovenia in Ljubljana.
They'll be without star striker Radamel Falcao again, so except Teofilo Gutierrez to continue leading the line—quite possibly with someone such as Carlos Bacca beside him—as Colombia search for the right blend with the Copa America coming up next summer.
Colombia should be expected to claim two victories, but it will be another test against two sides outside of the CONMEBOL zone.
Wayne Rooney, England
5 of 10
England face what might already be a decisive game in Group E of the Euro 2016 qualifiers: A win at home to Slovenia opens up a six-point lead at the top, and they should be fairly confident of going through the entire group process unbeaten.
If he leads the attack alongside Danny Welbeck as expected, captain Wayne Rooney will mark the occasion with his 100th cap for his nation—despite playing much of the season in midfield for his club, Manchester United, and the emergence of Saido Berahino as a regular scorer at club level.
Following the Slovenia match, England play Scotland in a friendly on Tuesday.
All of Spain's Uncapped Options
6 of 10
Retired: David Villa, Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez.
Injured: Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Cesc Fabregas, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara and Alvaro Negredo.
Not selected: Gerard Deulofeu, Fernando Torres, Munir, Diego Costa, Jesus Navas and Juan Mata.
If you leave all of those players out of the Spain national football team, then it's fair to say that the midfield and forward lines of the once-dominant nation could look extremely different and new this coming week, with no fewer than four uncapped players between the two areas of the pitch—plus another four with four caps each or fewer.
Jose Callejon could get a first cap after excelling in front of goal for Napoli, and Nolito has been excellent on the left side of attack with Celta Vigo. Alvaro Morata must be an outsider to figure, behind Paco Alcacer, who has been a hit on the international scene, with Isco also an option.
In the centre of midfield, Ignacio Camacho is hoping for a first cap, with Bruno of Villarreal and Atletico's Raul Garcia also getting recalls.
Fourteen-cap Koke is suddenly one of the more experienced members of the squad in the centre of the park.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden
7 of 10
Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the last two Euro 2016 qualifiers for Sweden through injury, but the rest of the squad did quite nicely without him, drawing at home to Russia and winning against Liechtenstein to move to five points after three games and sit third in Group G.
All the same, the squad will no doubt be happy to have their captain and top scorer back. Zlatan figured for PSG in their last game and was recalled to the international squad for the qualifier away to Montenegro.
The top four in Group G—Austria, Russia, Sweden and Montenegro—all look capable of finishing in the top two, with only three points separating the sides at present, making this a game Sweden must at least avoid defeat in. Zlatan's magic and prolific ability in front of goal makes him a vital inclusion for the side.
Divock Origi, Belgium
8 of 10
Belgium haven't started their Euro 2016 poorly by any means, but they do face a big test this time around. An easy win over Andorra came as standard, but they then drew 1-1 at Bosnia and Herzegovina last time out. Their upcoming fixture in Group B is at home to Wales—the surprise group leaders, who are unbeaten after three games.
Belgium will want to draw level with the Welsh side, which means a win is needed here. They have plenty of options in attack, but the striker berth presents an interesting dilemma; Christian Benteke has been out injured for a long time and barely managed any game time at club level before getting himself suspended, while Romelu Lukaku has been out of form with Everton.
Lille's Divock Origi, on loan from Liverpool, played the full 90 against Bosnia and Herzegovina and has largely been in the team at club level too, meaning he could keep his place once more. His pace and direct play will be a big threat in behind an experienced but slow Welsh defensive line.
Mame Biram Diouf, Senegal
9 of 10
It shouldn't be forgotten that the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are also taking place right now. One of the highest-profile matches set to take place on Saturday, with Egypt hosting Senegal in Group G.
The reverse meeting ended 2-0 to Senegal, with Mame Biram Diouf scoring twice. But after winning their opening two games, Senegal have failed to take more than a point since and slipped to second place.
Egypt are one point behind them in third, making this a crucial game as only the top two progress. Senegal need more of the same from Diouf—who has been in good form with Stoke City in the Premier League—to ensure they avoid defeat and maintain a top-two spot. Diouf has four goals from his 20 caps for Senegal so far.
Ronaldo vs. Messi, Portugal vs. Argentina
10 of 10
Our final selection is from a prestigious friendly to be played on Tuesday: Portugal vs. Argentina, which is set to take place at Old Trafford in Manchester.
The chance to see world stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is apparently not an enticing one for prospective fans—only 15,000 tickets have been sold for the 75,000-capacity game, per BBC Sport—yet the match should still be an entertaining clash.
Most of the focus will be on the two aforementioned stars, with Ronaldo in particularly devastating form this term.
