UEFA World Cup Qualifying Matches to Watch: Friday | OneFootball

Only six fixtures are on today’s schedule, but three of them REALLY matter. So that makes Friday the most impactful match day pound for pound.

As we did with our article analyzing Thursday’s matches, we’ll break down each day’s fixtures and advise you on which ones are worth your time.

Finland vs. Malta (Group G)

Kickoff @ 12:00pm ET This is the only match playing at this time, which means for the true soccer junkie it’s a must-see. This will be Finland’s final qualifying match. Their position in the table means they need to win big over Malta and hope for a Polish stumble against the Dutch AND Malta to get into play-off contention. It doesn’t look promising.

Poland vs. The Netherlands (Group G)

Group G Standings. Source: Wikipedia

Kickoff @ 2:45pm ETAlthough the Dutch only have a three point lead, that +13 goal differential over Poland gives them a certain degree of comfort. In best case scenario for the hosts, a win here reduces that margin by some, and a crushing win over Malta next week offers the merest glimmer of a World Cup spot. The reality, however, is that Poland are competing for a play-off spot. Don’t expect the Dutch to stumble here.

Luxembourg vs. Germany (Group A)

Group A Standings. Source: Wikipedia

Kickoff @ 2:45pm ETIt really could not have been any easier for Germany. They were drawn into a four-team group with relatively easy competition. Yet here we sit, facing a scenario where the five-time World Cup winners could fail to qualify for the first time ever. Their opening match 2 – 0 loss to Slovakia has put them into jeopardy, and Mannschaft supporters will be rooting for Northern Ireland as well as their own side tonight. Could tiny Luxembourg prove the ultimate giant-killer?

Slovakia vs. Northern Ireland  (Group A)

Kickoff @ 2:45pm ETIf you can, have both this and the Germany fixture on simultaneously. It’s been a long time since either team here has qualified for a major tournament, and with Germany looking unusually fragile it’s the perfect time to strike and try to knock them out. If there’s any edge it would have to be with the hosts Slovakia. Their defeat to Northern Ireland back in October was a bit flukey.

Croatia vs. Faroe Islands (Group L)

Group L Standings. Source: Wikipedia

Kickoff @ 2:45pm ETThe fact that the Faroe Islands are only one point behind Czechia at this stage is mind-boggling. They are the fourth smallest country in UEFA by population (less than 55,000 people). This is their final qualifying match, and a victory here would certainly kick-off a legendary party in the archipelago, even though the Czechs are likely to defeat Gibraltar on Monday and push them back down to third.

Gibraltar vs. Montenegro (Group L)

Kickoff @ 2:45pm ETBoth teams are eliminated. This fixture only exists to offer Montenegro a chance for a feel-good win over a weak opponent.