Tunisia vs France

Tunisia and France are set to meet each other at the Education City Stadium in their final 2022 World Cup Group D match-up.

Tunisia’s heroic scoreless draw against Denmark on the opening matchday was in vain as they succumbed to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Australia last time out. To make it out of the World Cup group stages for the first time in their sixth tournament appearance, the ‘Eagles of Carthage’ have to beat reigning champions France and hope Australia and Denmark draw in Group D’s remaining contest. While that looks far-fetched, Jalel Kadri’s men face a more realistic prospect of going winless in all three group-stage games for the fourth time in six World Cup participations. Indeed, they’ve never defeated across their four previous H2H encounters (D2, L2), including a 1-1 draw in their most recent duel back in 2010. Unless they trouble the scoreboard here, Tunisia will go the entire World Cup group-stage journey for the first time.

In the meantime, defending champions France came from behind to thump Australia 4-1 in their curtain-raising Group D fixture before claiming a hard-fought 2-1 win over Denmark to become the first nation to Qatar to qualify for the knockout rounds. Didier Deschamps’ men head into proceedings on the back of a nation-record six consecutive World Cup matches, with only Italy (7) and Brazil (11) ever enjoying a longer winning streak at the tournament. But despite France’s household status in world football, they have somewhat surprisingly alternated between winning (3) and losing (2) across their five World Cup encounters against African teams. They’re likely to buck that trend, mainly thanks to Deschamps’ outrageous 78.6% win ratio in charge at the World Cup (11/14).

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Saudi Arabia vs Mexico

It all comes down to this for Saudi Arabia and Mexico as they lock horns in a must-win 2022 World Cup Group C encounter at Lusail Iconic Stadium.

History beckons for Saudi Arabia as they bid to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 1994 and halt a run of four consecutive group-phase eliminations. Yet Herve Renard’s men failed to build on a historic 2-1 victory over Argentina in their Group C opener, going down 2-0 at the hands of Poland last time out. Defensive frailties have been Saudi Arabia’s main problem at the World Cup, as they’ve kept just one clean sheet across their 18 outings at the tournament, conceding 42 goals at an average of 2.33 per game. Indeed, among nations to have played 10+ World Cup fixtures, the ‘Green Falcons’ lament the lowest clean sheet ratio in the tournament’s history (6%). If that’s not concerning enough, the Saudis have never won in their five previous meetings with Mexico (D1, L4).

On the other hand, Mexico could be forgiven for losing 2-0 to almighty Argentina in round two, however, an indifferent goalless draw with Poland in their curtain-raising Group C match-up remains a problem. Having now failed to get on the scoresheet in four consecutive World Cup matches, the Mexicans face the risk of dropping out of the World Cup already in the group stages for the first time since 1978. No longer in control of their progression hopes, ‘El Tri’ must beat Saudi Arabia and hope Argentina and Poland share the spoils in the group’s other contest to stand a chance of qualifying for the round of 16. Gerardo Martino’s men have to focus on holding up their end of the bargain and arrest their longest winless World Cup run (4) since failing to win their first 12 matches at the tournament between 1930 and 1962.

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Australia vs Denmark

Denmark’s hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup knockout rounds are on the line as they face off against Australia at Al Janoub Stadium.

Unfazed by a thumping 4-1 defeat at the hands of reigning world champions France on the opening matchday, Australia recorded their first World Cup finals victory last time out, courtesy of a narrow 1-0 win over Tunisia. A draw will likely do the trick for the ‘Socceroos‘ as they bid to qualify for the competition’s knockout rounds for the first time since 2006. However, facing a European nation could throw a spanner in the works, with the Australians suffering eight defeats across 11 World Cup encounters against teams from the UEFA confederation (W1, D2) without keeping a clean sheet. On top of that, Graham Arnold’s men have picked up just three triumphs in 18 World Cup games (D4, L11), all of which arrived against sides ranked well below Denmark in the FIFA world rankings.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s woeful 2022 World Cup campaign was off to a sluggish start as they drew 0-0 with sub-par Tunisia before Kylian Mbappe’s second-half brace helped France beat them 2-1 last time out. Only victory will do for the Danes if they’re to make it out of the World Cup group stages twice in a row for the first time in the 21st century. However, since overcoming Peru in their opening outing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Kasper Hjulmand’s men have gone winless in five consecutive games at the tournament (D4, L1). After giving away points to France on matchday two, they could lose back-to-back matches in the World Cup group phase for the first time. But since they’ve only lost once in four previous meetings with Australia (W2, D1), that record should be safe and sound.

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Poland vs Argentina

Stadium 974 is the venue as Poland and Argentina go head-to-head in a crunch 2022 World Cup Group C showdown.

Poland defied the odds to assume control of the top spot in Group C at the beginning of round three, having drawn 0-0 with Mexico on day one before easing past Saudi Arabia 2-0. All the ‘Eagles’ have to do to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time since 1986 is avoid defeat against Argentina. Easier said than done, though, with the Poles failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their 11 previous meetings with the South American heavyweights (W3, D2, L6). Against this backdrop, Czeslaw Michniewicz’s men have registered a nation-record three consecutive shutouts at the World Cup, while they head into proceedings having not conceded once in their last four international outings. Worryingly for Poland fans, Robert Lewandowski & Co have lost each of their last three World Cup encounters against South American teams.

In the meantime, Argentina recovered from a disastrous 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, which knocked them down from a 36-match winless run, by eking out a 2-0 win over Mexico, inspired by Lionel Messi’s long-range stunner. But there’s a good chance ‘La Albiceleste‘ could miss out on the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 2002 unless they beat Poland here. But Lionel Scaloni’s men have lost their last two World Cup clashes against nations from the UEFA confederation, alarmingly conceding 3+ goals on each occasion. Yet victory would guarantee Argentina’s progression into the World Cup round of 16 for the 13th time in their last 14 appearances at the tournament. With Messi seeking a career-defining achievement, the reigning Copa America champions will be confident of dispatching Poland here.

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Iran vs United States

History beckons for Iran as they lock horns with the United States in a high-stakes 2022 World Cup Group B showdown at Al Thumama Stadium, with a place in the knockout stages on the line.

Not dismayed by a humiliating 6-2 defeat at the hands of England in their Group B curtain-raiser, Iran took full advantage of being a man up to beat Wales 2-0 last time out, courtesy of a late show. A quick-fire double in 90th-minute stoppage time earned them a first-ever World Cup win over European opposition. Carlos Queiroz’s men hold the aces here as they have to avoid defeat to make a historic achievement and qualify for the World Cup knockouts for the first time, provided Wales fail to beat England in the other Group B contest. If you’re looking for an omen, Iran’s first-ever victory at the World Cup finals came at the expense of non-other than the United States in 1998, bolstering the confidence in the ‘Team Melli‘ camp ahead of this crunch fixture.

On the other hand, the United States will come to regret a dismal 1-1 draw with Wales on the opening matchday unless they pick up three points here. Despite holding England to a heroic goalless draw in round two, only victory will do for the ‘USMNT’ if they to progress into the knockouts, as they’ve done in their last two World Cup appearances. However, the nominal visitors have racked up just two triumphs in their 14 previous World Cup outings (D6, L6) and are not in a good mood coming into this encounter. Since beating sub-par Grenada in June, Gregg Berhalter’s men have gone winless in five straight games (D4, L1), netting a mere two goals in that span. On top of that, they’ve failed to win any of their two previous meetings with Iran (D1, L1).

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Croatia vs Canada

Croatia and Canada are set to square off in a high-stakes 2022 World Cup Group F tie at the Khalifa International Stadium.

It wasn’t a dream World Cup start for the last tournament’s finalists Croatia as they could only manage a goalless draw with Morocco on day one, attempting a mere two shots on target. With an ominously-looking fixture against Belgium waiting in the wings, Zlatko Dalic’s men cannot afford to drop points here, yet their recent World Cup fortunes against CONCACAF sides spell trouble. Since beating Jamaica 3-1 in their first-ever World Cup outing, the ‘Blazers’ have lost both subsequent meetings with North American nations at the tournament. But it’s not all lost yet, as Croatia had netted in 11 consecutive World Cup games before drawing with Morocco, though it’s worth mentioning they last failed to score in back-to-back fixtures in the competition in 2006!

As for Canada, the math is simple. After their 22 attempts to score against Belgium went begging, ‘Les Rouges’ are out to pick up the first points at the World Cup finals after having lost their previous four without finding the net. However, with each of their four World Cup defeats coming at the hands of European opposition, the Canadians will have to overcome a significant mental barrier to upset the odds. While gaffer John Herdman insisted in the post-Belgium conference that he is ‘proud’ of his team’s day-one showing, another scoring blank against Croatia would likely send them packing at the end of round two. Yet having netted 2+ goals in four of their six pre-tournament internationals, the North Americans will fancy their chances of breaking a frustrating scoring drought at the world’s most prestigious scene.

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Argentina vs Mexico

Argentina’s 2022 World Cup journey has already reached a ‘make or break’ point as they take on Mexico in a must-win second-round clash at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

Argentina headed into the Qatar showpiece on a jaw-dropping 36-match unbeaten run in international football as one of the hottest candidates to lift the Jules Rimet trophy this winter. But although Lionel Messi’s goal at the fourth World Cup handed ‘La Albiceleste‘ a 1-0 halftime lead over Asian minnows Saudi Arabia, Lionel Scaloni’s team found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline at full-time. With their tournament life already on the line, the reigning Copa America holders are desperate to build on their stellar 10-game unbeaten streak against Mexico in all competitions (W7, D3). On top of that, the Argentines have won all three previous World Cup H2Hs against the North American powerhouse – despite conceding in each – including a 3-1 thumping in the 2010 edition in South Africa.

With Mexico’s last competitive triumph over Argentina dating back to the 2004 Copa America, the nominal visitors will have to overcome a substantial psychological barrier to get off the mark in Qatar. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came up massive to thwart Robert Lewandowski’s penalty during Mexico’s tepid scoreless draw with Poland on matchday one. That ominously marked the record-time Gold Cup winners’ third successive scoring blank at the World Cup, putting them at risk of going winless in the two opening rounds of a World Cup campaign for the first time since 1978. Still, after keeping a first-half clean sheet in their last six, ‘El Tri’ will relish their chances of holding Argentina’s ominously-looking frontline at bay.

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England vs United States

England’s quest to achieve World Cup glory for the first time since 1966 continues at Al Bayt Stadium against the United States.

Following a thoroughly underwhelming 2022/23 UEFA Nations League season (D3, L3), England desperately needed something to bolster their confidence at the start of the 2022 World Cup. No one could have foreseen England’s thumping 6-2 victory over Iran in a curtain-raising Group B fixture, yet Gareth Southgate’s team defied every expectation. It’s worth noting that the six goals the one-time world champions slotted past the Iranians defeated their disappointing four-game tally across six Nations League outings this year. The ‘Three Lions’ could now win their opening two matches at the World Cup for a fourth time, last doing so in 2018. An ongoing five-match unbeaten H2H run against the US should come in handy (W4, D1), though the only draw in that sequence came in the 2010 showpiece in South Africa.

That stalemate forms part of the United States’ 100% undefeated ratio across two World Cup encounters against England (W1, D1). However, Gregg Berhalter’s relatively inexperienced squad squandered a 1-0 halftime lead in a 1-1 draw against Wales on day one, stretching their abysmal run of no shutouts against European nations at the World Cup to 18 matches. With an average age of 24.5 years, the ‘USMNT’ are the youngest team in Qatar, which somewhat dampens their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the third time in a row. Adding to this sentiment, Berhalte’s men are winless in their last four internationals (D3, L1), suggesting their faint hopes of keeping a World Cup clean sheet against a European nation for the first time since 1950.

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Uruguay vs Korea Republic

Education City Stadium forms the backdrop for the third World Cup encounter between Uruguay and Korea Republic, with the South Americans winning both previous H2Hs via a single-goal margin.

Uruguay’s 14th World Cup participation and fourth in succession since 2010 will mark the final dance of formidable duo Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. With their long-serving stalwarts preparing for one last crack at world football supremacy before hanging up their boots, ‘La Celeste’ will fancy their chances of making it out of the group stages for the fourth tournament running for starters. Having lost just once this calendar year (W7, D1), Diego Alonso’s men could be forgiven for dreaming big this winter, especially after capping off a topsy-turvy CONMEBOL qualifying campaign on a run of four straight victories. Kicking things off from day one has been a problem for Uruguay, though, with the South Americans registering just one matchday-one triumph in their last seven World Cup appearances (D3, L3).

As for South Korea, an eye-catching return of one defeat from ten third-round matches of Asian qualifiers (W7, D2) catapulted them into their tenth consecutive World Cup participation, a formidable run stretching back to 1986. But with Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min headlining the attack, it’s a bit awkward that the ‘Taegeuk Warriors’ netted a blunt average of 1.3 goals per match across those ten qualifying fixtures. Yet they were almost impeccable at the back, conceding only three goals in that span, fewer than any other Asian nation to have participated in the third-round qualifying stage. After waving goodbye to their World Cup journeys in the group phase across their last two forays into the tournament, Paulo Bento’s men have a point to prove in Qatar, which could make them an unpleasant opposition.

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United States vs Wales

Wales’ first FIFA World Cup match in over half a century pits them against the youngest side in Qatar, United States, in a curtain-raising Group B encounter at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

With an average age of 24.5 years, the United States are the youngest team in the tournament, which could prove a double-edged sword. Greg Berhalter’s men pipped Costa Rica to a third-place finish in the CONCACAF qualifying group on a goal difference alone despite a 2-0 loss in San Jose on the final matchday. Expectations are high among those back home as the ‘USMNT’ bid to reach the World Cup knockout rounds as they’ve done in four of their last six appearances in the tournament. Beating Wales could be a progression-defining achievement for the US, yet after only winning once in five matches preceding the Qatar showpiece (D3, L1), that seems unlikely.

With both nations aware of the significance of not losing their opening World Cup showdown, a cagey affair looks likely to be in store, especially given Wales’ situation. Having lost four of their last five UEFA Nations League matches (D1), the ‘Dragons’ will unlikely give too much away in their first World Cup outing since 1958! Rob Page’s men navigated the dreaded playoffs past Austria and Ukraine to reach only their second-ever final tournament. Historical facts have no real bearing here, considering Wales’ last World Cup appearance took place long ago, but the present doesn’t look bright. In addition to suffering relegation to League B earlier this year, Page’s lads have kept just one clean sheet across their last 11 internationals. At least they’ve scored on as many occasions in that run.

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Colombia vs Paraguay

South American strugglers Colombia and Paraguay are set to trade tackles at the DRV PNK Stadium in an intriguing international friendly.

Colombia’s failed attempt to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010 has rattled some feathers, forcing the football federation’s hand. Underachieving manager Reinaldo Rueda was relieved of his duties in April, with Nestor Lorenzo taking his place in the dugout, which has so far paid dividends. ‘Los Cafeteros’ have won all three international friendlies under the new head coach, thrashing the likes of Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, and Mexico via an aggregate scoreline of 8-3. The Colombians’ seven-goal tally in only three matches under Lorenzo is a drastic improvement to their underwhelming scoring record under Rueda. Indeed, they had amassed only six goals in Rueda’s last ten games in charge, showing the new gaffer has hit the ground running from day one.

On the other hand, Paraguay’s third consecutive absence from the World Cup finals has put manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto under heavy scrutiny. A pair of 1-0 wins over Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, respectively, at the start of September handed ‘Los Guaraníes’ a false hope of resurrection. A goalless draw with Morocco and a 1-0 defeat to Peru in the aftermath brought them back down to earth as they look to get back to winning ways again. Winless in their last three meetings with Colombia (D2, L1), they look like a doomed outfit. Each of those three H2H duels featured under 2.5 goals, which was the case in Paraguay’s four internationals in September. So a low-scoring theme could be the order of the day.

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Belgium vs Egypt

Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium plays host to Belgium’s final pre-World Cup fixture against former AFCON champions Egypt.

Belgium may have spent over 760 days at the top of the FIFA world rankings, but they have no piece of silverware to back such a prominent achievement. Having been dethroned by Brazil, ‘De Rode Duivels’ will fancy their chances in Qatar without the pressure, but a 1-0 loss to the Netherlands last time out is not an ideal way to enter the World Cup. Before that defeat, Roberto Martinez’s men had been unbeaten in four consecutive matches (W3, D1) and would want to get back to winning ways just to settle the nerves. They need their attackers to switch on after netting under 1.5 goals in three of their last four outings. Speaking of Belgium’s scoring woes, Maritnez’s lads have bagged one goal or fewer on six of their seven previous international travels.

Meanwhile, it’s been a disastrous year for Egypt. Only a few months after surrendering the AFCON title to Senegal through nail-biting penalties, the ‘Pharaohs’ lost to the same opponent in the World Cup qualifying playoffs, condemning themselves to just a single tournament appearance in the 21st century. That has somewhat crippled the team’s mentality as they’ve delivered a mixed bag of performances across five international friendlies in the post-qualifying period (W3, L2). Head coach Rui Vitoria, who replaced Carlos Queiroz at the helm in July, has got Egypt back on track, winning his first two games in charge via an identical 3-0 scoreline against Niger and Liberia, respectively. Another success would be a massive morale booster for the African powerhouse, and with two wins from their three previous H2Hs against Belgium (W1), that looks possible.

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Ghana vs Switzerland

Al Nahyan Stadium is the venue as Ghana and Switzerland go head-to-head in their first-ever international showdown.

Back from missing the 2018 World Cup, Ghana face an uphill task to navigate a competitive-looking Group H consisting of Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea. Therefore, the ‘Black Stars’ need to pick up momentum ahead of the tournament, especially following an abysmal group-stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. Otto Addo’s men have blown hot and cold across their last five internationals (W2, L3), with four of those five matches (won/lost) seeing the winner keep a clean sheet. Scoring has emerged as a genuine issue for Ghana of late, with the four-time AFCON champions netting under 1.5 goals five times in their last six outings. With each of their four goals scored in that sequence coming beyond halftime, it’s reasonable to expect them to switch on in the second half.

In the meantime, Switzerland’s bid to reach the World Cup knockouts for the third time in a row has strong foundations after ‘La Nati’ delivered several giant-killing performances in the past two years. Murat Yakin’s men first ousted reigning world champions France from the Euros before playing a crucial role in Italy’s second straight World Cup miss. On top of that, they have hit the ground running just in time, going from an underwhelming five-match winless run (D1, L4) to three consecutive victories in the recently completed UEFA Nations League group stages. With Spain and Portugal amongst the sides to find themselves on the receiving end of Switzerland’s rise to prominence, Yakin’s men must be looking forward to this fixture.

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Oman vs Germany

World Cup title hopefuls Germany head to the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex in Muscat to encounter Asian minnows Oman.

Oman’s wait for their first-ever appearance at the World Cup final has been extended for another four years, courtesy of a morale-damaging fourth-place finish in Asian qualifying Group B. One point adrift of the inter-confederation playoff berth, Branko Ivankovic’s men had to watch third-placed Australia ousting Peru en route to Qatar. Jordan took advantage of Oman’s troublesome patch last time out, defeating them 1-0 to end the ‘Reds’ decent six-game unbeaten run (W3, D3). But a low-scoring theme continues to be a common denominator in Oman’s international assignments, with their last seven outings featuring under 2.5 goals. They wouldn’t mind another cagey affair against one of the world’s best teams, and an impressive return of five clean sheets from their last six games sounds promising.

On the other hand, Germany kept their 100% success rate in the World Cup qualifiers intact by finishing top of Group J with 27 out of the 30 available points to their name (W9, L1). However, that seems to have tucked Hansi Flick’s side into the realm of complacency, with ‘Die Mannschaft’ picking up just two wins from eight internationals after completing another resounding World Cup qualifying journey (D5, L1). Despite keeping hold of their UEFA Nations League A status by the skin of their teeth, sending England packing, the Germans experienced a thoroughly underwhelming 2022/23 Group A/3 campaign (W1, D4, L1). They at least bounced back from a shock 1-0 home loss to Hungary by drawing 3-3 with England at Wembley Stadium despite harbouring a two-goal lead midway through the second half.

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Czech Republic vs Faroe Islands

Andrův stadion in Olomouc forms the backdrop for a low-profile international friendly between the Czech Republic and the Faroe Islands.

It seems like a World Cup play-off heartbreak at the hands of Sweden in March crushed the Czech Republic’s spirits, leaving the team that reached last year’s Euro 2020 quarter-finals in complete disarray. Left to pick up the slack in the wake of a woeful 2022/23 UEFA Nations League season, resulting in relegation to League B, manager Jaroslav Silhavy can ill-afford another slip-up. The Czechs have lost their last four international fixtures by an aggregate score of 10-1, three of which via multi-goal margins, emphasising the size of the task at hand. However, a 100% H2H win ratio across the four previous meetings with the Faroe Islands, accompanied by as many shutouts, could give the hosts an opportunity for a clean slate.

Meanwhile, the Faroe Islands’ ill-fated World Cup qualifying campaign caught no one by surprise, but clinging on to their League C status next to Turkey, Lithuania & Luxembourg in the aftermath was somewhat of a standout achievement. Since losing 1-0 at home to Luxembourg in early June, the Faroes have gone into overdrive, clocking up a morale-boosting four-match unbeaten run (W2, D2), bookended by an eye-catching 2-1 home triumph over non-other than Group C1 winners Turkey. But the visitors have been nothing if not whipping boys on their international travels, as you’d have to go back to September 2020 for their last win on foreign soil. A narrow 1-0 win over Iberian minnows Andorra looks like a distant memory, with Hakan Ericson’s side going winless in their subsequent 13 away games (D6, L7).

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Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United

Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United are set to trade tackles at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the ultimate Premier League round ahead of the Qatar World Cup.

An unexpected 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in midweek EFL Cup action may have further doused the optimism in the Tottenham camp following last week’s 2-1 home loss to fellow Premier League top-four hopefuls Liverpool. Desperate to get back to winning ways after letting fifth-placed Manchester United reduce the gap to only three points, ‘Spurs’ will fall back on their impressive nine-game H2H form against Leeds in the Premier League (W7, D1, L1). Manager Antonio Conte must demand more urgency from his side in the early stages of play after the Londoners trailed by two goals in their last four Premier League fixtures for the first time in the club’s history. Topically, they’ve found themselves down at halftime in three top-flight games preceding this round.

In the meantime, visiting Leeds United lost 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek EFL Cup action, but their recent Premier League form looks promising. After going winless in eight successive league games (D2, L6), Jesse Marsch’s men have won the last two in a row despite conceding on each occasion. No strangers to upsetting the odds, the ‘Whites’ won 2-1 at Liverpool on their most recent top-flight travel before pulling off a sensational second-half comeback to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 victory over Bournemouth last time out. But after losing their last five away league matches against Tottenham, Leeds would be well advised to keep their feet firmly on the ground if they want to avoid a second consecutive Christmas near the relegation zone.

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Real Madrid vs Cadiz

Back to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for their final La Liga outing ahead of the Qatar showpiece, reigning champions Real Madrid entertain perennial bottom-half strugglers Cadiz in a must-win fixture.

A frustrating 3-2 defeat at Rayo Vallecano earlier this week did not only mark Real Madrid’s first loss of the 2022/23 La Liga season (W10, D2 otherwise) but saw them surrender the top place to Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti’s men can ill-afford another sub-par result if they’re to keep pace with the Catalan high-flyers, and a nine-game unbeaten home record in 2022/23 (W7, D2) comes in handy. However, ‘Los Merengues’ have been kept goalless twice in their last four top-flight meetings with Cadiz (W1, D2, L1), while they drew both La Liga H2Hs against them in 2021/22. That’s unlikely to inspire much confidence in the Madrid camp as they risk going three consecutive home league games without winning for the first time since 2020 after failing to win their last two at the Bernabeu.

In the meantime, visiting Cadiz held fellow bottom-half tenants Getafe to a scoreless draw at the weekend, only a week after pulling off a mammoth 3-2 home win over Atletico Madrid. After a nightmarish five-game losing league start, the visitors have only lost once in their last eight matches (W2, D5). But it’s worth noting that ‘Los Piratas’ have been victorious just three times on their 37 previous visits to Madrid in La Liga (D5, L29). That said, Sergio Gonzalez’s men have avoided defeat on their last two top-flight outings at the Bernabeu (W1, D1), keeping Real Madrid at bay on both occasions! With Cadiz remaining the only side in La Liga yet to smash double-digits (eight goals scored), they’ll need to be at the top of their defensive game again.

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Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Old Trafford forms the backdrop for a revenge-poised English League Cup third-round tie between Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Days after being thumped 3-1 at Villa Park in the Premier League, Manchester United will be keen to avenge their first top-flight loss in Birmingham after 29 successive away H2Hs without losing. United ran out 1-0 victors when the two sides met in last season’s FA Cup match at Old Trafford to post their second win in three competitive H2Hs on home turf (L1). Worryingly for manager Erik ten Hag, the ‘Red Devils’ have lost their last two League Cup games without scoring and could make it three defeats on the trot in the competition for the first time since 1981. But after racking up four wins and a draw in their last five competitive home fixtures and not conceding once, Man Utd’s bid to exact their vengeance on Villa looks rock-solid.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal boss Unai Emery painted his second touchline debut in the Premier League with flying colours by making light work of Man Utd. However, the Spaniard now needs to defy Aston Villa’s abysmal five-match winless away run in domestic football (D2, L3), which embarked on the back of a 4-1 drubbing of lower-league Bolton Wanderers in the last League Cup round. It’s worth noting that the visitors have failed to get on the scoresheet in three of their four most recent games on hostile turf. Yet there’s a piece of history backing the ‘Lions’ for success here, with Villa progressing beyond both previous League Cup third-round ties against Man Utd, most recently in 1999/2000.

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Hellas Verona vs Juventus

Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi plays host to a midweek Serie A clash between relegation-battling Hellas Verona and top-four hopefuls Juventus.

An underwhelming 2-0 defeat away to newly-promoted Monza at the weekend saw 10-man Hellas Verona set an unwanted piece of club history by losing their eighth consecutive Serie A match for the first time in history. Nailed to the bottom of the standings, Salvatore Bocchetti’s men come into proceedings as the league’s worst defence with 26 goals conceded, while they’ve yet to keep a clean sheet this term. Perhaps the only positive in an otherwise nightmarish season is that Verona’s solitary top-flight success in 2022/23 came at home, courtesy of a 2-1 beating of fellow relegation candidates Sampdoria. But ‘I Gialloblu’ have since found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline in four of their last six league outings, highlighting their defensive insecurity.

In the meantime, Juventus claimed a morale-boosting 2-0 Derby d’Italia win over Inter Milan at the weekend, registering their fourth Serie A triumph ‘to nil’ in a row. The visitors’ mini-revival following a dreadful league start has alleviated some pressure on Massimiliano Allegri, but there’s no time to celebrate, with fourth-placed Atalanta still two points off. Juventus have found their recent travels to Bentegodi unattainable, picking up just one win across their last five top-flight away H2Hs against Verona (D2, L2). That’s another reason ‘I Bianconeri’ cannot let complacency get the better of them, especially after a poor three-point haul in the Champions League condemned them to a first group-stage elimination since 2013/14. Defensive resilience has been a key component of Juve’s top-four charge in the young Serie A season, with no side conceding fewer goals than Allegri’s men (7) thus far.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Leeds United

Premier League bottom-half strugglers Leeds United take a trip to Molineux Stadium to encounter early relegation candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English League Cup third-round tie.

Wolverhampton found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline in a topsy-turvy home showdown against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, stretching their underwhelming winless run in domestic action to four matches (D1, L3). For years, Wolves’ stubborn backline has been the backbone of their decent Premier League journeys, yet Julen Lopetegui’s men have conceded 2+ goals in three of their last four league outings. The former Sevilla boss will have to tighten up his side’s defensive holes if he’s to drag them out of trouble, and flying out of the traps on his touchline debut on English soil could be a perfect confidence boost.

Meanwhile, visiting Leeds United pulled off a stunning second-half comeback, turning a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 home victory over Bournemouth at the weekend to follow up a memorable 2-1 win at Liverpool. After going winless in eight consecutive Premier League matches (D2, L6), the ‘Whites’ have seemingly got back on track just in time to build on a 3-1 drubbing of Barnsley in the previous EFL Cup round. But it’s worth noting that before beating the odds at Anfield on their most recent domestic travel, Jesse Marsch’s men had been winless in seven consecutive away fixtures (D2, L5), scoring under 1.5 goals in five of them. Yet a 3-2 in their latest Premier League H2H at Molienux should inspire Leeds’ bid to stay on the upwards trajectory.

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Sevilla vs Real Sociedad

Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is the venue as out-of-sorts Sevilla and European hopefuls Real Sociedad square off in an exciting La Liga clash.

Inspired by a club-record nine-match unbeaten H2H run against Sociedad in La Liga (W5, D4), Sevilla will be desperate to put an underwhelming four-game winless league streak to bed (D2, L2). Level on points with 18th-placed Celta Vigo, ‘Los Rojiblancos’ could head into the upcoming World Cup break in the drop zone unless they find a way to build on last weekend’s last-gasp 1-1 draw at fellow city rivals Real Betis. Worryingly for coach Jorge Sampaoli, his men have not won any of their six La Liga home fixtures this season (D3, L3), netting a measly average of 0.5 goals per game! Another busted attempt to put all three points on the board would see Sevilla go winless in 7+ home outings in La Liga for the first time since 1987.

On the other hand, reduced to ten men within the opening half an hour of play, Real Sociedad could only manage a 1-1 home draw against Valencia at the weekend, at least arresting a two-game losing La Liga run. However, the visitors’ underwhelming league form has seen them drop out of the European qualification spots, though they remain level on points with six-placed Osasuna. Sociedad’s see-saw form outside Reale Arena cannot inspire much confidence in Imanol Alguacil’s camp, with his men claiming six points from their last four top-flight travels (W2, L2). On a more positive note, ‘La Real’ have registered three triumphs across their last five La Liga visits to Andalusian clubs (D1, L1), as many as in their previous 13 games away from home against such rivals in the top flight (D2, L8).

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Cologne vs Bayer Leverkusen

Cologne’s last home Bundesliga game until January pits them against bottom-half underachievers Bayer Leverkusen at the RheinEnergieStadion this midweek.

Based on Cologne’s indifferent 13-game Bundesliga start (W4, D5, L4), last season’s seventh-place finish could be considered a fluke, with Steffen Baumgart’s men coming into proceedings pinned to mid-table lethargy. Since a 3-2 home victory over Augsburg in mid-October, the ‘Billy Goates’ have gone winless in three consecutive league matches (D1, L2), losing by 2+ goals ‘to nil’ on both occasions. Indeed, scoring has been a genuine problem for Cologne, as their frustrating one-goal tally across the last three Bundesliga rounds accounts for the league-low in that timeframe. On the bright side, they have only lost once in their six top-flight outings at the RheinEnergieStadion this season (W3, D2).

In the meantime, Bayer Leverkusen snapped an embarrassing six-game winless streak in all competitions (W3, D3) in thumping fashion at the weekend, claiming an overwhelming 5-0 home win over Union Berlin. Seeking back-to-back Bundesliga victories for the first time this season, ‘Die Werkself’ will be out to avenge a brace of winless H2Hs in 2021/22 (D1, L1) and get their stuttering top-flight campaign back on track. Yet after only winning once on their six league travels this season (D1, L4), including three defeats in a row preceding this trip, it could prove easier said than done. Head coach Xabi Alonso has to shore up his side’s defensive woes if Leverkusen are to steer off the danger zone, with the visitors conceding an alarming average of 2.33 goals per away Bundesliga game this season.

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AFC Bournemouth vs Everton

Vitality Stadium forms the backdrop for an exciting all-Premier League English League Cup tie between AFC Bournemouth and Everton.

Gary O’Neil’s men have seemingly developed a habit of squandering a handsomely-looking lead. Indeed, they’ve lost their last two Premier League outings despite bosting a two-goal cushion on each occasion, including a ‘goal-friendly’ 4-3 defeat at Leeds United at the weekend. On top of that, the ‘Cherries’ have lost their last two home matches via a single-goal margin after going unbeaten in three beforehand (W1, D2). They have at least established some defensive resilience following a leaky 2022/23 start, conceding under 1.5 goals in four of their last five home outings. If that’s not enough to tuck them into a confident mood, Bournemouth haven’t lost any of their four previous home meetings with Everton (W3, D1).

In the meantime, Everton collapsed at home over the weekend as fellow bottom-half Premier League underachievers thumped them 2-0, marking their second scoring blank in succession (D1, L1). A lack of firepower up top has seen Frank Lampard’s men fail to get on the scoresheet in four of their last five encounters against fellow top-flight rivals (W1, D1, L3). Playing outside Goodison Park is unlikely to bolster Everton’s bid to progress beyond this EFL Cup round, considering the ‘Toffees’ have only won once in their last six away league matches (D3, L2). Low scoring has been a common theme during that sequence, with five of those six fixtures featuring under 2.5 total goals, highlighting the potential for a cagey affair.

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Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen

Allianz Arena is the venue as record-time Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich take on promoted Werder Bremen in an exciting midweek showdown.

Despite taking a 3-0 lead within the opening 38 minutes of play on their weekend’s visit to bottom-half Hertha BSC, Bayern Munich had to settle for a dramatic 3-2 victory. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s men have hit their stride following a rough Bundesliga start as they head into proceedings on the back of eight consecutive wins in all competitions. After overtaking Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga table, the ‘Bavarians’ can now focus on running away as they did in the past ten seasons! Playing on Tuesday (European time) often benefits Bayern, considering they’ve lost just once in their last 25 Bundesliga fixtures contested on this day (W18, D6).

It seems that a season spent in the second tier back in 2021/22 made Werder Bremen stronger, with the visitors already only ten points shy of their total Bundesliga haul (31) from 2020/21 when they suffered relegation. Indeed, ‘Die Werderaner’ have excelled in Germany’s top flight this term, racking up 21 points after 13 league fixtures to record their best points tally at this stage of a Bundesliga campaign in 11 years. Like their hosts, Ole Werner’s men head into proceedings amid a good spell of form after going from back-to-back league defeats to two victories in a row, both of which yielded a single-goal margin. But you’d have to go back to September 2008 for Werder’s last competitive triumph over Bayern, with the Bremen outfit winning none of their subsequent 29 H2Hs (D4, L25).

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Juventus vs Inter Milan

Allianz Stadium forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering Derby d’Italia as Juventus and Inter Milan lock horns in a mammoth Serie A fixture.

Despite bowing out of the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2013/14, Juventus have enjoyed a mini-revival in Serie A, winning their last three league matches ‘to nil.’ While a 2-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the final Group H round in midweek may dampen the enthusiasm in the home camp, ‘I Bianconeri’ can draw confidence from their decent home league record this season (W4, D2). Widely criticised for encouraging a defensive-minded football, Massimiliano Allegri may have silenced his doubters after seeing his side average 2.5 goals per Serie A home game in 2022/23. That sounds promising, as Juventus stare down the barrel of back-to-back Serie A defeats at the hands of Inter for the first time since 2003/04 following a 1-0 loss in this corresponding fixture last season.

In the meantime, Inter Milan lost 2-0 at Bayern Munich in midweek Champions League action but still progressed into the knockouts as Group C runners-up, leaving Barcelona in their wake. But if they’re to return in contention for the Scudetto, ‘I Nerazzurri’ cannot afford a slip-up here as they trail pacesetters Napoli by eight points. Simone Inzaghi’s men have racked up a four-game winning Serie A streak in the build-up to this trip, including a 3-0 demolition of Sampdoria at home last weekend. However, they’ll need to transfer that momentum to their travels after blowing hot and cold on their opening six league trips (W3, L3). Considering they can win consecutive top-flight encounters against Juventus across a single calendar year for the first time since 1987, motivation should not be lacking.

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Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Villa Park is the venue as Aston Villa and Manchester United go head-to-head in a tasty-looking Premier League encounter.

Steven Gerrard’s dismissal in late October has failed to reignite Aston Villa’s faltering domestic season. After a 4-0 thumping of Brentford in their first post-Gerrard league outing, the ‘Lions’ have returned to old habits, losing at Newcastle United by the same scoreline last week. But the new sheriff is in town as Unai Emery prepares for his second touchline debut in the Premier League after an uneventful stint at Arsenal. Emery’s first task in charge of Villa will be to halt the club’s humiliating 23-game winless home streak against Man Utd in the Premier League (D8, L15). In order to do that, the hosts will have to defy an equally disturbing run of 13 defeats across their last 14 Premier League matches against sides starting the day in the top six (D1).

Meanwhile, visiting Manchester United claimed a futile 1-0 win at Real Sociedad in midweek Europa League action to progress into the knockout stages as Group E runners-up. Despite finishing second to the Basque outfit, that victory in San Sebastian could hand United a confidence boost, having taken their unbeaten streak in all competitions to nine games (W7, D2). Manager Erik ten Hag wouldn’t mind a bit more consistency from the ‘Red Devils’ in the Premier League after his men alternated between winning (3) and drawing (2) in their last five league outings. Man Utd’s away performances have lacked conviction thus far, with each of their three top-flight victories on hostile turf this term yielding a single-goal margin.

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AC Milan vs Spezia

AC Milan will be looking to avoid losing back-to-back Serie A games for the first time since November 2021 when they take on bottom-half underachievers Spezia at the Stadio San Siro.

Milan looked unfazed by last weekend’s morale-damaging 2-1 Serie A defeat at Torino as they thumped RB Salzburg 4-0 in midweek Champions League action to reach the competition’s knockouts for the first time since 2013/14. After being knocked down from a four-game winning league streak, ‘I Rossoneri’ have to play catch-up on table-topping Napoli, with six points separating the sides ahead of this round. Beating Spezia, a side that triumphed 2-1 on their most recent top-flight visit to San Siro, is a must for Stefano Pioli’s men. Odds firmly back Milan for success, though, especially considering they’ve kept a league joint-high nine home clean sheets in Serie A in 2022. On top of that, the hosts have won five of their six home league outings this season (L1), netting at least twice in each victory.

In the meantime, visiting Spezia suffered a stoppage-time heartbreak against Fiorentina last weekend (1-2), taking their abysmal winless Serie A run to five matches (D1, L4). It’ll take something utterly special from the Ligurian outfit to get back to winning ways in Lombardia, considering Luca Gotti’s men have lost all six away league games this season without scoring! Another identical result would see them become only the fifth side in Serie A history to lose seven consecutive away fixtures ‘to nil.’ But after drawing a blank in 50% of their top-flight outings in 2022/23 (6/12) and averaging just 0.84 goals per match, they’ll have to play out of their skins to stand a chance against Milan. Spezia’s cagey entries have seen them trail for the most minutes in Serie A away matches this season (315)!

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Borussia Monchengladbach vs Stuttgart

Borussia-Park is the venue as mid-table Borussia Monchengladbach and bottom-half Stuttgart go head-to-head in an exciting Bundesliga encounter.

Despite grabbing a first-half lead, two late goals, including a 97th-minute decider, condemned Monchengladbach to a 2-1 defeat at Union Berlin, extending their winless Bundesliga streak to three matches (D1, L2). Head coach Daniel Farke described the result as ‘disappointing,’ as ‘Die Fohlen’ dropped six points adrift of the top-four race. Playing at come may bolster Gladbach’s bid to get back to winning ways, given that they’ve racked up four wins from six home league outings this season (L2), though the latest one yielded an underwhelming 3-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. Stuttgart could yet again prove formidable opposition after holding Gladbach winless in five consecutive top-flight H2Hs preceding this meeting (D2, L3). But since they’ve claimed 12 of their 16 Bundesliga points this season on home turf, the hosts might feel comfortable before the kick-off.

On the other hand, visiting Stuttgart pulled off a come-from-behind 2-1 home triumph over fellow bottom-half Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg last weekend, making it three wins from four competitive matches (L1). The credit for Stuttgart’s mini-revival in the wake of Pellegrino Matarazzo’s dismissal goes to interim boss Michael Wimmer, who’s led them to two wins in three Bundesliga matches (L1) following his predecessor’s poor nine-game winless leaague start (D5, L4). However, a keenly-contested battle against relegation is still on for ‘Die Schwaben,’ with 16th-placed Bayer Leverkusen only two poinst behind. Stuttgart’s abysmal five-match winless form on the road (D3, L2) doesn’t bode well for their bid to beat Gladbach at Borussia-Park for only the second time in eight top-flight matches at this venue (W1, D3, L3).

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Girona vs Athletic Bilbao

Girona and Athletic Bilbao are set to lock horns at the Estadio Municipal de Montilivi in a handsomely-looking La Liga contest.

Newly-promoted Girona fought back from a goal down to hold reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend. Despite an eye-catching result in Madrid, the hosts head into proceedings on the back of a seven-match winless league run (D3, L4) and are level on points with 18th-placed Sevilla. Girona’s mixed bag of performances on home soil in the 2022/23 La Liga season (W2, D2, L2) cannot inspire much confidence, and neither can the fact they’ve won just once in their last five top-flight home games (D2, L2). Adding to head coach Michel’s list of concerns, his men have suffered four defeats across their four La Liga meetings with Bilbao (W1), while they’ve yet to keep a clean sheet at Montilivi across seven league outings this term.

In the meantime, Athletic Bilbao eked out a morale-boosting 1-0 home victory over Villarreal to end a four-game winless La Liga streak (D2, L2) and stay within a two-point distance of fourth-placed Real Betis. But after winning their opening two away league fixtures of the season, Ernesto Valverde’s lads have gone winless on their last three top-flight travels (D2, L1), conceding before halftime on each occasion. On the bright side, ‘Los Leones’ come into this showdown unbeaten in all four away league matches against bottom-half sides (W2, D2), inspiring their hopes of taking points home from northern Catalonia. Enjoying their best points tally (21) at this stage of a La Liga season in the 21st century, Bilbao will be out to tip the H2H away stakes in the top flight (W1, L1) in their favour.

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Manchester City vs Sevilla

Etihad Stadium plays host to Manchester City’s final Champions League Group G encounter against Europa League specialists Sevilla.

Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick masterpiece fired Manchester City to a hard-fought 1-0 win at Leicester City last weekend, keeping them within touching distance of Premier League leaders Arsenal. City’s furious three-game winning start to Champions League Group G proved enough to catapult them into the knockout stages, yet it had unwanted side effects. Pep Guardiola’s men have since played out back-to-back scoreless draws with Copenhagen and Borussia Dortmund, doing so for the first time in the club’s continental history. Guardiola holds a personal grudge against Sevilla, as witnessed by his eye-catching 13-game managerial record versus the Andalusian powerhouse (W9, D2, L2), with his sides averaging 2.5 goals per match against them. Adding to the hosts’ burgeoning confidence, they’ve won 81% of their home outings in the Champions League group stages under Guardiola (26/32).

In the meantime, three unanswered second-half goals fired Sevilla to a 3-0 home win over Copenhagen last time out, yet it was too little too late for Jorge Sampaoli’s team. An abysmal four-game winless Group G start (D2, D2) has taken its toll, forcing ‘Los Rojiblancos’ to continue their continental journey in their beloved Europa League. But the Spaniards will be keen to bow out of the Champions League in style by arresting an underwhelming six-game winless away run in the competition (D5, L1). To do so, Sevilla will have to defy a disastrous seven-game winless streak against English clubs in the Champions League group phase (D3, L4), including a brace of 4-0 defeats at the hands of Chelsea and Man City in the last two such fixtures.

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Liverpool vs Ajax

Anfield forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering top-table Champions League Group A six-pointer between out-of-sorts Liverpool and high-flying Napoli.

Leeds United inflicted yet another devastating loss on Liverpool at the weekend, halting their eye-catching 15-game unbeaten home streak in all competitions (W11, D4). That was the last thing under-fire manager Jurgen Klopp needed ahead of Napoli’s visit, though his team’s progression into the knockouts saved his job for the time being. Despite guiding the ‘Reds’ to the Champions League round of 16 in all his six attempts en route to setting the club’s longest-ever run of consecutive qualifications, the German boss is not off the hook. Keen to avenge a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Napoli on matchday one, Klopp will be desperate to end Liverpool’s two-match losing home run against Italian visitors in the Champions League and avoid leading them to an unwanted piece of history. The ‘Reds’ have never lost three straight home Champions League games against Italian opposition.

On the other hand, Napoli put fellow Serie A rivals Sassuolo to the sword over the weekend, cruising to a landslide 4-0 home victory to make it 13 successive wins on the spin across all competitions. After becoming the first-ever Italian side to smash a 20-goal barrier in the Champions League group phase, ‘I Partenopei’ will be out to record their maiden European triumph away to English side at the 12th time of asking (D3, L8). This season’s most prolific team in the Champions League can still surrender the top spot in Group A should they succumb to a 4+ goal-margin defeat in England, which looks a bit far-fetched. Adding to this sentiment, you’d have to go back to late April for Napoli’s last competitive loss on hostile turf, with Luciano Spalletti’s rampant side going unbeaten on ten consecutive travels since (W9, D1), including six wins in a row.

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