Euro 2016 Qualifying Groups, Predictions & Analysis: Best Matches to Look Out For
The Qualifiers for the Euro 2016 get back underway on Thursday with a number of major games.
This tournament is one to look out for, especially with the restructuring of major soccer powers underway. Here is a look at some of the most interesting games of the first round of qualifiers this upcoming week:
Group A
The first group should be straight forward, but it could be more compelling that previously anticipated. The Dutch lost 2-1 at the Czech Republic, despite being expected to sweep through a relatively easy group. The team has not looked as solid since the departure of Louis van Gaal, but it should bounce back against Kazakhstan.
However, the game to look out for here is Turkey and the Czechs. The Turks lost 3-0 against Iceland in their opener, but could still compete for a spot among the top three in the group. This game could be huge for them as they play hosts. For the Czechs, this is a game that could help solidify their position in the group.
Group B
Can Wales get into the tournament? Is Bosnia and Herzegovina ready to take the next step and become one of the top European nations in the world? Gareth Bale's nation enters the game with three points and a chance to add three more at home against a rival that struggled in its opener despite coming off a World Cup appearance. This is definitely the most riveting of the matchups in this group.
Group C
Spain destroyed Macedonia 5-1 at home, but can the defending Euro champs repeat the result on foreign soil? Slovakia stunned the Ukraine in its first game and must prove whether it can continue playing a high brand of soccer against a top nation.
It should be interesting to see how Vicente del Bosque continues his rebuilding for Spain. His team has shown glimpses of revitalized tiki taka but this game will be a good barometer for just how far it has come. A win here should establish Spain as the favorite in the group. And by all accounts the Spaniards should win.
Group D
Remember when the defending World Cup champion Germany struggled to defeat Scotland AT HOME? Now the team has to play against a Polish side that has gained tremendous confidence from a 7-0 road win against Gibraltar. And the Germans will have to do it in Warsaw. It should be interesting to see if Germany can put to rest its recent struggles. Not only did the team have a hard time taking down Scotland but it also got destroyed 4-2 by Argentina on home turf in an international friendly.
Group E
A rather boring group to be sure but the Swiss need a huge win after losing 2-0 at home against England. Now the team travels to Slovenia to play a team that lost 1-0 against Estonia. So it should not be too daunting a task. Little else is going on in this group. England will probably destroy San Marino at home and Lithuania and Estonia have little to offer.
Group F
Greece was probably not expecting a 1-0 loss at home against Romania, the team it destroyed in the World Cup playoffs last winter. But that is revenge. And now the Greeks need to find a way to accumulate three points on the road against a Finish side that defeated the Faroe Islands 3-1 in the opening qualifier. That should not make for a huge challenge, but this is not Spain or Germany. This is a mediocre Greek side that struggles to score goals. It should make for an interesting encounter.
Group G
Sweden and Russia should provide one of the most entertaining matches of the entire match day. Russia leads the group and should be a lock to qualify out of the group. The same should go Sweden and its captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Sweden has one point while Russia has three. This should be a fun game.
Group H
How good is Croatia? How good is Bulgaria? These two teams will likely be competing for second place in the group and this game will be a good indicator of the favorite. Bulgaria is home and should hold the edge. But Croatia has talent such as Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic. That should make for some compelling drama.
Group I
Albania stunned Portugal in its opener and will look to prove that it can be a force in this group. Denmark should be a favorite to get out of the group and will have a chance to solidify its position at the top with a win here. Can the Danes pull it off on the road?
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