B/R Experts: Big-Game Predictions, March 24-26
With domestic football on a temporary hiatus, our team of experts have the chance to get their teeth into the international programme.
We have a mix of international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers on what is sure to be an event-packed weekend.
Read on for our experts' views on the weekend's games.
Italy vs. Albania
1 of 10
Hoping to keep pace with Spain at the top of their World Cup qualifying group, Italy host Albania at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo. The Azzurri have yet to lose a fixture as they look to secure a place in Russia, and there will be no shortage of familiar faces in this clash, with the visitors led by former Torino and Udinese boss Gianni De Biasi.
Five of his players are also based on the peninsula, with Elseid Hysaj of Napoli perhaps the most well known, but Italy should still have too much talent not to emerge triumphant.
Prediction: 3-0
First goalscorer: Andrea Belotti
Republic of Ireland vs. Wales
2 of 10
Wales became the adopted nation for many neutrals at Euro 2016, but they cannot rest on those great memories any longer.
It was a fascinating tournament but all focus is now on the World Cup, and they need to win this one to close the four-point gap between themselves and Republic of Ireland in their qualifying group.
Remember that in the race to reach World Cup 2018, only group winners guarantee their spot.
Manager Chris Coleman has a talented pool of players to choose from and believes this squad are better prepared mentally than ever before. This game will be played like a typical derby, so that state of mind will be put to the test.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are both fit, though, and that should have a huge impact on the outcome of this result.
Ireland are top of Group D, but this could be a game that begins to test their resolve. Only two matches between these sides have ended goalless, and this fixture will not become the third.
Prediction: 1-2
First goalscorer: Gareth Bale
Spain vs. Israel
3 of 10
While we won’t quite classify this game as a walk in the park for Spain, it should be a straightforward three points at home against an Israel side who will battle for third place but won't be in the equation for qualification to the World Cup.
Spain manager Julen Lopetegui has been impressive so far, and his selected squad can this time all boast being in form at club level and certainly capable of contributing to the national team in terms of quality.
Diego Costa and Pedro have been irrepressible over the past few months in the Premier League, while Koke and Isco are both in creative form in La Liga. Even the new or infrequent call-ups—Kepa in goal, Illarra in midfield, Iago Aspas up front—are all fully there on merit, not just to fill gaps.
Prediction: 3-0
First goalscorer: Bit of a leap of faith that he'll even get to play, but Diego Costa
Germany U21 vs. England U21
4 of 10
Two days after the senior international friendly between Germany and England turned into a Lukas Podolski lovefest, the two nations' under-21 teams square off in Wiesbaden in what should be an important test ahead of this summer's Euros in Poland.
Germany have won five of their six matches under new head coach Stefan Kuntz, the former international striker of The Lightning Seeds fame, and have an impressive squad to choose from even without players such as Bayern Munich bound centre-back Niklas Sule or RB Leipzig attacker Timo Werner, both of whom have moved to Jogi Low's senior team, or Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, who is injured.
Similarly, England's team would look far more potent if the likes of Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling or John Stones were available to manager Aidy Boothroyd.
Still, the game should be an interesting showcase of players we'll see much more of in the future and, thanks to the attacking talent on the pitch for both sides, an entertaining affair.
Prediction: 3-2
First goalscorer: Tammy Abraham
Luxembourg vs. France
5 of 10
France were unable to win Euro 2016 on home soil but have one of the best squads in world football right now.
Defeat here is surely unthinkable, as they sit top of their qualification group with three wins and one draw so far.
They have a good clean sheet record and will have nothing to worry about with Luxembourg, who sit bottom of the group with one point to their name so far.
Exciting teenage talent Kylian Mbappe is included in the squad and will surely be let loose to terrorise the hosts.
The big question is: How many will France win by?
Prediction: 0-3
First goalscorer: Antoine Griezmann
Portugal vs. Hungary
6 of 10
The reigning European champions got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a bad start by losing to Switzerland but have since recovered, and this fixture should mark a fourth successive victory.
Hungary look better placed now than they have for decades to really push for major tournament qualification over the next two or three campaigns, but this one is too soon—and away from home, they shouldn't trouble Portugal.
Quite aside from Cristiano Ronaldo, the likes of Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva and Gelson Martins have been impressive, and the next wave of the national team's attacking portion gives much reason to be excited.
Prediction: 3-1
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Azerbaijan vs. Germany
7 of 10
Germany boss Jogi Low has already announced his side's intentions, claiming after the 1-0 over England on Wednesday that they will not show any mercy in the World Cup qualifiers.
The 2014 FIFA world champions have their first chance to prove their ruthlessness in Azerbaijan on Sunday.
The southeastern Europeans have won a respectable seven points from the first four qualifiers in Group C and sit in third place, ahead of higher-rated nations Czech Republic and Norway.
Coached by legendary Croatia midfielder Robert Prosinecki, Azerbaijan can rely on a solid defence that has only conceded four goals to this point.
Of course, Germany are a different sort of challenge, as evidenced by their flawless four wins in four matches with a combined scoreline of 16-0. In the two previous meetings in Baku, in 2009 and 2011, Germany beat Azerbaijan by only two goals and something similar would seem likely on Sunday.
Prediction: 0-2
First goalscorer: Julian Draxler
Northern Ireland vs. Norway
8 of 10
Northern Ireland have had a good start to this qualifying campaign and hope to follow up their Euro 2016 adventure with a trip to Russia.
There is certainly more confidence within the lineup these days, and Michael O'Neill's side currently sit second in their group.
O'Neill has lost just one of his last 10 qualifying matches as Northern Ireland manager but knows this will be a tough test.
Northern Ireland do not have a good record against Norway, having lost six of the seven games the two nations have played.
This is former Sweden manager Lars Lagerback's first game in charge of Norway, so it is difficult to know what to expect tactically.
It could be that a draw will suit both teams.
Prediction: 0-0
England vs. Lithuania
9 of 10
Gareth Southgate is trying to breathe new life into the England squad, and the signs were good against Germany in midweek, despite a 1-0 defeat.
A new formation and (hopefully) a new mentality could give the Three Lions a platform to rebuild confidence after such a shattering Euro 2016.
It is often the nerves within the team that hold back England's progress at major tournaments. But the team are good when it comes to qualifying for the competition proper.
Lithuania have only won one of four matches so far and will desperately attempt to hold out for as long as possible here.
England need to be patient, as they will eventually get the rewards.
Prediction: 3-0
First goalscorer: Dele Alli
Scotland vs. Slovenia
10 of 10
Things are not going particularly well for Scotland. They are fifth in their World Cup qualifying group and could only manage a 1-1 draw with Canada midweek.
It was a grim affair, to say the least.
The good news though is that they are pretty good on home soil, where only England and Germany have beaten them in recent times.
Mark McGhee can call on Celtic stars Scott Brown, Craig Gordon, James Forrest and Kieran Tierney for this one, and that quality may prove crucial.
It is going to be a cagey affair as Slovenia are not a high-scoring side and have conceded just once in their last six games. Scotland won't care how scrappy a goal comes if it can produce a much-needed win.
Prediction: 1-0
First goalscorer: Steven Fletcher
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