MY ACCOUNT
Tonight will see two of four European nations seal their spot at the Qatar World Cup.
There was plenty of drama in last Thursday’s play-off semi-finals with Italy claiming the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The European Championship winners will once again not be present at the World Cup after being stunned late on by North Macedonia, who face Portugal tonight.
Unsurprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co are the favourites to book their place in the finals.
Meanwhile, Poland take on Sweden in the other of this evening’s crunch clashes for a place at the winter tournament.
But Wales must wait to face either Scotland or Ukraine, who will play their semi-final later this year.
Ronaldo and Co aim to avoid banana skin
On paper at least, the match between Portugal and North Macedonia seems clear cut.
The Portuguese have not missed a World Cup since 1998.
But North Macedonia — a nation with a population of just over two million — have never qualified and only played at the Euros for the first time last summer.
Portugal have plenty of quality sprinkled across their side with the likes of Diogo Jota, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva playing key supporting roles behind Ronaldo.
The hosts tend to score plenty of goals, with five of their last six home games seeing them net at least twice, but North Macedonia will be buoyant after their win over Roberto Mancini’s European champions.
Without question, it is a potential banana skin for Portugal — but one they are expected to avoid.
Tight contest expected in Chorzow
Poland are 11 places below Sweden in the FIFA world rankings but their match really is a tough one to call.
Two world-class striking talents will be in action.
Poland have Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski in their ranks while Sweden have the imperious Zlatan Ibrahimovic to call upon.
It was a hard slog for Sweden against the Czech Republic last Thursday and it took an extra-time goal from Robin Quaison to separate the sides.
Poland, meanwhile, will be feeling fresher after drawing with Scotland in a more languid friendly.
Home advantage may see them edge out Sweden but it promises to be a tight affair.
