MX23RW : Thursday, December 6 23:04:48

England avoid tough qualifying group for Euro 2020

England avoid tough qualifying group for Euro 2020
© Reuters
England are one the host countries for the pan-European finals.

England appear to have been granted a comfortable-looking passage to Euro 2020.

Gareth Southgate's men, who reached the World Cup semi-finals in the summer, will take on the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo next year to reach the finals, which will be staged in cities across the continent.

Northern Ireland were handed an extremely tough-looking draw and will face Holland and Germany, as well as Estonia and Belarus in Group C.

The Republic of Ireland had initially been drawn into Group C but could not take a place there due to there being too many host countries in one group, so Mick McCarthy's team were instead placed in Group D alongside Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia and Gibraltar.

Wales will face World Cup finalists Croatia in Group E, which also contains Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. Scotland are up against Belgium, Russia, Cyprus, Kazakhstan and San Marino in Group I.

England have never played the Czechs in a competitive match since the break-up of Czechoslovakia, with one win and one draw from two previous friendly encounters.

Similarly, they have not faced Kosovo before. Kosovo only gained FIFA membership in 2016.

England v Croatia – UEFA Nations League – Group A4 – Wembley Stadium
England will take on Kosovo for the first time next year (Nick Potts/PA)

England beat Bulgaria home and away en route to qualification for Euro 2012 and also faced them in qualifying for the 2000 and 1980 finals.

Montenegro were qualification opponents for England for Euro 2012, and also for the 2014 World Cup finals. England have only beaten them once, drawing the other three encounters.

Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland have it all to do against the Dutch and the Germans, and do not even have a play-off place guaranteed after a poor performance in the Nations League.

Northern Ireland lost to Germany home and away in qualification for the 2018 World Cup and were beaten by Joachim Low's side at Euro 2016.

The rejuvenated Dutch – who finished top of a Nations League group containing Germany and France – last faced Northern Ireland in June 2012 in a match which finished 6-0 in favour of the Oranje.

Scotland were beaten 4-0 by group opponents Belgium in a September friendly but at least know they have a play-off place to fall back on if they cannot secure one of the two top spots in the group.

Russia look the other strongest team that Alex McLeish's men will face.

The Republic of Ireland are up against Denmark yet again. They faced the Danes in the Nations League earlier this year and lost to them in a World Cup play-off in the autumn of 2017.

Switzerland also underlined their strength by coming back from 2-0 down to beat Belgium 5-2 in a Nations League match last month.

Reigning European champions Portugal have been drawn against Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania and Luxembourg while world champions France face Iceland, Turkey, Albania, Moldova and Andorra.

The qualifiers will be played in the 2019 international breaks, although England plus Portugal, Holland and Switzerland will be involved in the Nations League Finals next June.


Click here for more stories about Gareth Southgate

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Home nations set to find out Euro 2020 qualifying opponents
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City1513204573841
2Liverpool1512303062439
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs15110428161233
4Chelsea1594231131831
5Arsenal1594234201431
6Everton156542117423
7Bournemouth157262522323
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd156542425-123
9Leicester CityLeicester156452118322
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156361921-221
11Watford156271821-320
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves155461518-319
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372023-318
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle153481220-813
15Crystal Palace153391120-912
16Cardiff CityCardiff1532101430-1611
17Huddersfield TownHuddersfield152491026-1610
18Southampton151681329-169
19Burnley1523101432-189
20Fulham1523101536-219

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account