Scotland vs. Cyprus (Saturday, 2.00pm)
© Reuters
Scotland and Cyprus square off on Saturday afternoon with both nations aware of the importance of starting their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a win.
Spain, Norway and Georgia make up the remainder of Group A, heaping the pressure on the two sides to impress at Hampden Park.
We say: Scotland 2-0 Cyprus
With this being the first fixture in a number of months, neither side are likely to produce their best football. Nevertheless, the better quality remains with Scotland, and it would be a surprise if the Tartan Army to not collect a necessary three points.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Armenia vs. Turkey (Saturday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Turkey begin their quest to reach Euro 2024 with a trip to Yerevan to face Armenia on Saturday.
Turmoil between Armenia and Turkish allies Azerbaijan make this an extremely politically-charged encounter.
We say: Armenia 1-3 Turkey
Zelarayan will almost certainly play a key role if Armenia are to do anything, and he may get some joy against a fragile Turkey rearguard.
However, the class in the ranks for the visitors is clear, and they should take three points back to Bursa, where they will face Croatia on Tuesday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Belarus vs. Switzerland (Saturday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Belarus and Switzerland meet in Novi Sad in the opening set of fixtures for Euro 2024 qualification.
The game is being played in Serbia due to the UEFA-imposed ban on Belarus from hosting continental and international matches.
We say: Belarus 0-3 Switzerland
These two nations met in qualification for Euro 2000 and in a friendly in 2017 with Switzerland winning all three encounters to nil.
A repeat of that result looks likely with Belarus out of sorts given off-the-field matters.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Israel vs. Kosovo (Saturday, 5.00pm)
© Reuters
Commencing their Euro 2024 qualifying campaigns, Group I rivals Israel and Kosovo clash on Saturday at Bloomfield Stadium.
While both nations missed out on last year's World Cup, a wide-open draw offers either side an opportunity to reach next summer's continental finals.
We say: Israel 2-1 Kosovo
The first competitive meeting between these nations could be a feisty one, as a lot is on the line even at this stage of the qualifying process. Israel scored plenty of goals last year, while their visitors also offer a real threat up front: a home win could be on the cards, though, as the Kosovars do not tend to travel well.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Spain vs. Norway (Saturday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Luis de la Fuente will take charge of his first match as Spain head coach on Saturday evening, as La Roja face Norway in their opening Euro 2024 qualification fixture.
Spain have not been in action since losing on penalties to Morocco in the last-16 stage of the 2022 World Cup, while Norway last featured in a friendly in November 2022, playing out a 1-1 draw with Finland.
We say: Spain 1-0 Norway
This has the potential to be a very tricky match for Spain, as Norway have a lot of talent in their ranks. The absence of Haaland is a huge boost for the home team, though, and we are backing La Roja to navigate their way to an important three points in their section opener.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Spain could line up against Norway
Croatia vs. Wales (Saturday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Wales begin life without Gareth Bale by making the daunting trip to play World Cup third-placed team Croatia on Saturday evening.
Both nations have aspirations to finish at the top of their Euro 2024 qualification group, which also features Turkey, Armenia and Latvia.
We say: Croatia 2-0 Wales
Although Wales have other quality players that they can call upon, none of them can match the quality that was offered by Bale. Against quality opposition, they may come up short, leading us to predict a relatively comfortable triumph for the home side.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Andorra vs. Romania (Saturday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
With 101 places separating them in the FIFA World Rankings, Andorra host top-two hopefuls Romania in their opening battle of Euro 2024 qualifying on Saturday evening at the Estadi Nacional.
Switzerland, Israel, Kosovo and Belarus also comprise the intriguing Group I section, although this weekend's hosts will not be expected to upset the apple cart.
We say: Andorra 0-2 Romania
There were plenty of positive signs for Andorra in 2022, but those positive signs should not translate into a shock win against a side sitting over 100 places higher than them in the standings.
Romania are a far cry from the force they once were and cannot expect to find the back of the net at will, but the visitors should still encounter few roadblocks en route to an opening triumph.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
