MX23RW : Monday, November 16 11:40:12| >> :60:474:474:

A look ahead to the home nations' November international fixtures

All four home nations could be part of next summer's European Championship.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are one victory away from joining England and Wales at Euro 2020 and will look to produce their best in Thursday's crucial play-off final matches.

The Republic of Ireland's hopes ended last month, but they will attempt to claim bragging rights against Gareth Southgate's men in a clash at Wembley on the same night.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the big issues surrounding this month's international football.

Scotland aim to make modern history

Craig Burley's goal in a 1-1 draw with Norway at World Cup 1998 was the last time Scotland scored at a major tournament
Craig Burley's goal in a 1-1 draw with Norway at World Cup 1998 was the last time Scotland scored at a major tournament

France 98 was the last time the Tartan Army were able to attend a major tournament and their pain in recent years has been exasperated with all the other home nations sampling life at a big competition. Steve Clarke's team face a tough test away to Serbia in Belgrade, but enter the play-off unbeaten in eight and know the scale of the prize on offer.

Northern Ireland look to give fans reward

Windsor Park will welcome 1,060 supporters into the stadium for Thursday's play-off final between Northern Ireland and Slovakia
Windsor Park will welcome 1,060 supporters into the stadium for Thursday's play-off final between Northern Ireland and Slovakia (Liam McBurney/PA)

Not since the 1980s have Northern Ireland been regulars at events on the world stage, but victory over Slovakia in Belfast would make it a second major tournament appearance in five years. Ian Baraclough's team will be backed by a small number of supporters, with just over 1,000 allowed inside Windsor Park, and they will hope to give them plenty to shout about.

Grealish and Rice in white against Boys in Green

While Scotland and Northern Ireland will be vying for Euro 2020 qualification on Thursday, the Republic of Ireland will console themselves on missing out with a fixture at Wembley. The late Jack Charlton, a hero in both countries, will be remembered and Three Lions duo Jack Grealish and Declan Rice will do battle against a national team they could have played for.

Denmark without Premier League players?

Kasper Schmeichel expressed his hope he could play in at least one of Denmark's three fixtures this month
Kasper Schmeichel expressed his hope he could play in at least one of Denmark's three fixtures this month (Mike Egerton/PA)

A number of Premier League stars are expected to miss the majority of Denmark's fixtures during this international break. A new Government ban on arrivals from Denmark includes elite sportspeople, who had previously been exempt. If Kasper Schmeichel and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were to play in home games this week, they would have to isolate for 14 days on arrival back in England. It leaves the plans of boss Kasper Hjulmand up in the air.

Coronavirus disrupts international fixtures

In addition to Denmark's aforementioned problems due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is set to impact Iceland too, who play the Danes on Sunday before they visit England next week in the Nations League. That fixture at Wembley is in doubt and elsewhere Belgium will be missing Eden Hazard because he has tested positive for Covid-19 and Italy manager Roberto Mancini will be absent after he contracted the virus. It begs the question should friendlies and Nations League games being going ahead this month?

ID:421700:cQx
Latest coronavirus PSA banner

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough pictured on September 7, 2020
Read Next:
Ian Baraclough thankful to Stephen Kenny for Slovakia scouting help
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester8602189918
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs85211991017
3Liverpool85211816217
4Southampton85121612416
5Chelsea843120101015
6Aston Villa7502189915
7Everton84131614213
8Crystal Palace84131212013
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves841389-113
10Manchester CityMan City7331109112
11Arsenal8404910-112
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham83231410411
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle83231013-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd73131214-210
15Leeds UnitedLeeds83141417-310
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton81341114-36
17Fulham8116715-84
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom8035617-113
19Burnley7025312-92
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd8017414-101

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!