Euro 2020 Qualifiers: 5 games to watch out for on Matchday 9

A club manager's nightmare and national coach's delight, the international break is back. After a weekend of club football that saw some interesting results (read: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester City, Bayern Munich 4-0 Borussia Dortmund), it's time for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers. Belgium (1st in Group I), Italy (1st in Group J), Poland (1st in Group G), Russia (2nd in Group I) and Ukraine (1st in Group B) have already qualified for Euro 2020. However, there are still some spots left for grabs as the top two from each group will qualify for the next round. Here are five fixtures to look forward to from the Euro 2020 qualifiers in the coming weeks. 

Euro 2020 qualifiers: England vs Montenegro

The game against Montenegro at Wembley will be England's 1000th game in world football. However, that is not the sole reason why this is a must-watch game. England currently have 15 points and are top of Group A. A draw against Montenegro will see them qualify for the next round. However, it remains to be seen how England shape up after the training ground bust-up between Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and Liverpool's Joe Gomez. With a touch of controversy and a whole lot of history, England vs Montenegro is one of those must-watch fixtures. 

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Portugal vs Lithuania

Perhaps surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal have not been at their best in Euro 2020 qualifying. Andriy Shevchenko's Ukraine have already qualified, however. Portugal will look to settle the order of things in Group B when they welcome bottom-placed Lithuania on November 14. 

Euro 2020 qualifiers: Spain vs Malta

Spain have already qualified from Group F with 20 points. However, Roberto Moreno's men will face a Malta side that has failed to register a win in their last five qualifying games. Moreover, with Spain having scored 19 goals in the Euro 2020 qualifiers so far, and Malta having conceded 18 goals already, Spain's forward line will be looking forward to the game against Malta. 

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: Belgium vs Russia

Like Spain, Roberto Martinez's Belgium have also qualified. However, Russia are currently second in Group I. A win against Russia will see Belgium clinch first-place in the group. Belgium have scored a mammoth 30 goals in the Euro 2020 qualifiers so far, whereas Russia have conceded just four goals in that time. A free-scoring attack versus a watertight defence makes the Belgium vs Russia game a must-watch.

Euro 2020 qualifiers: Northern Ireland vs Netherlands

Ronald Koeman's side have recovered well since the 3-2 defeat to Germany in March. Since then, the Dutch have gone on to win all of their games in the Euro 2020 qualifiers. They will travel to a Northern Ireland side that is currently third in their group, just three points behind Germany. Both Netherlands and Northern Ireland have conceded just a miserly seven goals so far, but the Dutch have scored more than double the number of goals. As such, since the Netherlands look a more well-rounded side, the Northern Ireland vs Netherlands game will make for an exciting watch. 

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