Euro 2016 Qualifying: Live Stream Info, Match Times and Predictions for Saturday
An enthralling week of Euro 2016 qualifying comes to a head on Saturday, with a host of the continent's elite looking to continue their advance on booking a berth at next year's competition.
The Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia are just some of the heavy hitters hoping to either maintain or improve their qualification campaigns on Saturday, but each face a tough outing this weekend.
Read on for a breakdown of when and where to watch Saturday's fixtures, along with previews and predictions of the most enticing ties.
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| 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Kazakhstan | 1-2 | Iceland |
| 5 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET | Azerbaijan | 1-1 | Malta |
| 5 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET | Croatia | 2-0 | Norway |
| 5 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET | Czech Republic | 3-0 | Latvia |
| 5 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET | Israel | 2-1 | Wales |
| 7:45 p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. ET | Andorra | 1-3 | Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| 7:45 p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. ET | Belgium | 2-1 | Cyprus |
| 7:45 p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. ET | Bulgaria | 2-3 | Italy |
| 7:45 p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. ET | Netherlands | 1-0 | Turkey |
Viewers in the United Kingdom can use Sky Sports 5's red button feature to watch Saturday's qualification matches or stream a selection of fixtures via Sky Go. A host of matches can also be streamed in the United States via WatchESPN or Fox Soccer 2GO.
Must-Watch Qualifiers
Netherlands vs. Turkey
Guus Hiddink recently learned that Arjen Robben has joined Robin van Persie and centre-back Ron Vlaar on the Netherlands' injured list, dealing a major blow to the Oranje's attack.
However, captain Wesley Sneijder is confident his team can pull through against Turkey despite the setback, telling Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (h/t Goal's Stefan Coerts) of his intent to lead a young crop this weekend:
"We can also get a good result without Arjen and Robin. Although you don't need a degree in maths to know that their absence is a bit of a blow. Arjen and Robin show week after week that they are among the best players in the world at Bayern Munich and Manchester United, respectively.
So they will obviously be missed. Just like the absence of Ron Vlaar is a blow for us. But I have been in situations like this before, so I know it does not help to think about it too much. We will do everything within our power to beat Turkey.
I don't feel any extra pressure because of their absence, but there is some added responsibility. It will now be up to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Nigel de Jong and myself to support the younger players.
"
Huntelaar will have a greater responsibility in leading Hiddink's forward line as a result of those absences, while Eredivisie top scorer Memphis Depay will also be expected to step up.
Wolfsburg hitman Bas Dost is also in line for his international debut after being called into Hiddink's squad, with Squawka Dave detailing just what a prolific figure the forward has been of late:
The mere fact the Netherlands can call upon a player like Dost to potentially replace Van Persie in attack shows their strength up front, but the loss of Vlaar at the back may be more unsettling.
Neither Turkey nor the Dutch have hit form in qualification thus far in the campaign, but Saturday's host should have enough talent to outlast their guests in Amsterdam, albeit maybe not by any spectacular stretch.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-0 Turkey
Croatia vs. Norway
Just a single point separates Croatia and Norway heading into Saturday's Group H qualification clash—both teams beginning their campaigns with three wins from their first four outings.
However, Football Italia reported on Thursday that Mateo Kovacic had suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury and would be absent for this weekend's tie, not to mention the foreseeable future:
The Croats have a far deeper pool of resources than the Inter star alone, though, and a recent return to fitness for Luka Modric is one comeback that will buoy their hopes of advancing to the Euro 2016 finals.
OptaCan pointed out veteran Darijo Srna as the most prolific crosser of the ball in European qualifying thus far, with Croatia looking to capitalise on his service once more against the Norwegians:
Norway are yet to concede a goal away from home in qualifying, but Croatia will provide the sternest test of their run so far and the prospect of breaking a defence that's leaked just one goal in four games is a daunting one.
Prediction: Croatia 2-0 Norway
Belgium vs. Cyprus
Belgium are at serious risk of suffering an early European exit unless they can come upon some form in qualifying soon, playing host to Cyprus on Saturday in a bid to do just that.
In fairness, Marc Wilmots's side have a game in hand over the majority of their Group B opponents, but ESPN FC's Adrian Melville writes of the Red Devils' concerns:
A 0-0 draw at home to Wales will have given Cyprus hope of claiming their own result in Brussels this weekend, while the Belgians are hoping to recall the kind of display that led them to a 6-0 hammering of Andorra last October.
Cyprus will be susceptible at the back, but are joint-top scorers in Group B with nine goals in qualification thus far and could launch a surprise threat in away territory.
Prediction: Belgium 2-1 Cyprus
