5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

It’s the international break in the men’s game, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a boat-load of spicy fixtures coming at us this weekend.

Here’s your guide to the best of them.

England v Australia

It may only be a friendly at Wembley at Friday night, but these two nations will relish the opportunity to renew their fierce rivalry which more commonly plays out on the cricket oval.

England come into this one off the back of a win over another famous adversary, namely their 3-1 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park last month. Gareth Southgate will be expecting a good performance from his side ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy, where a win could see them officially book their ticket to next summer’s tournament.

The Aussies don’t have any competitive international football to worry about until next month, but Graham Arnold’s side will be out to avenge England’s victory over the Matildas in the semi-final of this summer’s Women’s World Cup.

Then again, if revenge is on the menu at Wembley, perhaps Australia’s cricketing success in this summer’s Ashes series will give England’s players a bit of extra motivation.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

USA v Germany

An even more intriguing friendly is taking place in East Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday.

Germany were probably expecting a relaxed approach to the European Championship they have automatically qualified for as hosts next summer, but a shocking 4-1 friendly defeat to Japan last month proved to be the straw that broke former coach Hansi Flick’s back.

Julian Nagelsmann has since been installed as Flick’s replacement, and the 36-year-old ex-Bayern Munich boss takes charge of Die Mannschaft for the first time when they take on the United States this weekend.

Nagelsmann has named Bundesliga stalwarts Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels in his first squad, and he’ll be demanding a similar performance to the one which saw Germany beat France 2-1 in a friendly under interim coach Rudi Völler last month.

It won’t be an easy ride against a USMNT who are unbeaten in their last 13 matches, however.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶 🌶

Liverpool v Everton

We’ve got the men’s version of this fixture coming up after the international break, but this Sunday sees Anfield play host to an intriguing Merseyside derby in the Women’s Super League.

Liverpool returned to the WSL after a three-year absence last season and suffered a chastening 3-0 defeat when they hosted Everton in an early season fixture at Anfield, before drawing 1-1 when the two sides met again later in the year.

The Reds went on to finish just behind the Toffees in seventh place but this season has been a different story so far. Liverpool have won both of their opening two games, including an impressive win over Arsenal at the Emirates on the opening weekend, while Everton still await their first point of the new campaign.

“We’ve got a completely different team now,” said Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds this week. A derby win on Sunday would be a great way to hammer that point home.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶 🌶 🌶

Norway v Spain

Euro 2024 qualifying Group A is getting very spicy indeed.

Scotland were unable to secure the point they need to qualify when they were beaten 2-0 by Spain on Thursday, and now Sunday’s meeting between Norway and Spain could be decisive for all three nations’ fates.

If Norway don’t beat Spain in Oslo, Scotland will qualify and Norway’s chances of finishing in the top two and qualifying for the tournament automatically will be looking very slim.

A brace from Erling Haaland in Norway’s 4-0 victory over Cyprus on Thursday gave them a fighting chance, and also ended the Manchester City striker’s three-match run without a goal.

By his standards that’s a drought, but he now has six goals in this Euro qualifying campaign, and will be hoping to lead his side to glory again on Sunday.

Should Norway fail to qualify, Haaland will be at least 25 before he gets his first taste of international tournament football, which just feels wrong. Over to you, Erling.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Netherlands v France

The spiciest match of the weekend comes live from Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena on Friday night, pitting second against first in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B.

There was a gulf in class when the two sides last met in March, with France running out 4-0 winners that night.

Les Bleus have cruised through qualifying so far, winning all five of their matches without conceding a single goal, and they might qualify regardless of the result of this match, should Greece fail to beat Ireland on Friday night.

The Dutch are currently second in the group, but could have a fight on their hands to qualify automatically if they lose this one. Ronald Koeman’s side head to Athens for a showdown with Greece on Monday.

We still have two more rounds of qualifiers to come in November of course, but we’re at the business end of the campaign now and the pressure is well and truly on.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶