Belgium host Switzerland while England face Croatia in UEFA Nations League

October 12 – Four heavyweights are in action today as Belgium host Switzerland and England travel to Croatia for Group 2 and Group 4 action respectively.

Belgium will be hoping to beat Switzerland to take top place in Group 2. Both countries got off to a good start in the UEFA Nations League with comprehensive victories over Iceland. Belgium beat them 3-0 thanks largely in part to a brace from Romelu Lukaku while Switzerland ran out comprehensive 6-0 winners. In the last three meetings between the two countries, Belgium has beaten Switzerland twice and one match ended in a draw.

Both Croatia and England will be looking for their first wins in Group 4 after losing to Spain in their first UEFA Nations League matches. England were a bit unfortunate to lose to 2-1 to Spain 2-1 with Marcus Rashford grabbing their goal, while Croatia were thumped 6-0 by the same side. These two countries last met in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals where Croatia ran out 2-1 winners after extra-time, and England will certainly be looking for revenge.

On Saturday 13 October there is only one match in League A, and it is a massive one with Netherlands hosting Germany in a Group 1 match. Both Netherlands and Germany will be looking for their first wins in the UEFA Nations League. Netherlands suffered a 2-1 loss to France while Germany drew 0-0 with the same team with the likes of striker Marco Reus really blunt in attack.

LEAGUE B PREVIEW:
The UEFA Nations League gets underway again on Thursday 11 October with League B as Sweden try to register their first win in Group 2 as the travel to the 2018 World Cup hosts Russia.

Sweden were bitterly unlucky to lose their opening Group 2 game after going down 3-2 to Turkey last month despite goals from Isaac Thelin and Viktor Claesson giving them a two-goal lead. They will be looking to bounce back against Russia who top the standings following a 2-1 win over Turkey in their opening game thanks to goals from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba.

On Friday 12 October, both Northern Ireland and Austria will be looking for their first wins in Group 3 when they lock horns, after both losing their opening games to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Northern Ireland lost 2-1 while Austria suffered a slender 1-0 defeat.

On Saturday 13 October it is more of the same as the Republic of Ireland goes in search of their first win in Group 4 while Slovakia and the Czech Republic hope to do the same in Group 1.

Slovakia started their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine while the Czech Republic surrendered an early lead thanks to a goal from Patrik Schick to lose 2-1 to the same Ukraine. Both countries will be looking to redeem themselves when they lock horns in Trnava.

The Republic of Ireland face a tough task in Denmark on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back from their 4-1 grubbing at the hands of Wales in their opening Group 4 game. Denmark will be no walkover as they beat Wales 2-0 in their opening Group 4 encounter thanks to a brace from Christian Eriksen.

UEFA Nations League fixtures, 11-13 October
All times CAT

Thursday 11 October
20:45: Poland v Portugal – LIVE on SS3, Max1 & SelGO4
21:45: Russia v Sweden – LIVE on SS6

Friday 12 October
20:45: Belgium v Switzerland – LIVE on SS5 & Max2
20:45: Croatia v England – LIVE on SS3, Max1 & SelGO4
20:45: Austria v Northern Ireland – LIVE on SS6/SS10 & SelGO2

Saturday 13 October
15:00: Slovakia v Czech Republic – LIVE on SS3, Max1 & SelGO4
20:45: Netherlands v Germany – LIVE on SS3, Max1 & SelGO4
20:45: Republic of Ireland v Denmark – LIVE on SS7/SS10, Max2 & SelGO2 – Contributed