Aside from the UAE's showdown with Thailand, there is plenty of top quality 2018 World Cup qualifying action on TV this week. Here's our pick of the key games.
Thursday
Saudi Arabia v Australia – Thursday, 9.45pm, BeIN Sports
Australia will expect a red-hot atmosphere at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah in what is a vital match for the make-up of Group B in Asian qualifying, which features the UAE.
The visitors will remember what happened in the 2014 Asian Champions League final, when Western Sydney Wanderers frustrated Al Hilal to the extent that striker Nasser Al Shamrani spat at and headbutted Matthew Spiranovic after the match. The same level of tension may well be present on Thursday night.
Italy v Spain – Thursday, 10.45pm, Abu Dhabi Sports
A re-match of the Euro 2012 final which Spain won. A re-match of the Euro 2016 last 16 match, which Italy won. A match between a team moulded around maybe the world’s best defence against a team who play some of the world’s best passing football but lack a cutting edge. Neither squad has changed much since Euro 2016 and you suspect World Cup 2018 is a last international chance for the likes of Andres Iniesta and Giorgio Chiellini. This is an early chance to take control of Group G
Friday
Belgium v Bosnia, 10.45pm, Abu Dhabi Sports
Going into the quarter-finals at Euro 2016, Belgium were the favourites to win the tournament before being upset by a fine Wales performance. That result cost Marc Wilmots his job, but his replacement, Roberto Martinez, inherits an awesome squad that will be considered major contenders for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
With the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and the currently injured Kevin de Bruyne, Belgium can still fulfil their potential.
Friday
Peru v Argentina, 6.15am, BeIN Sports
The South American qualifying group is the toughest of the lot, with 10 quality teams facing off home and away. Argentina head to Peru without Lionel Messi but still with a squad easily good enough to take three points home.
However, Peru can beat the best on their day. They came third at the 2015 Copa America and, led by ex-Bayern Munich striker Paolo Guerrero, will fancy their chances of scoring an upset. This is well worth waking up early for.
England v Malta, 8pm, Abu Dhabi Sports
After the flop of Euro 2016, losing to Iceland, England have a point to prove. They should stroll to victory against Malta, but the performance will be important.
The key question is whether Gareth Southgate, standing in as manager after Sam Allardyce left one game in, will pick out-of-form Wayne Rooney in his starting XI. Most England fans probably hope he starts on the bench.
Sunday
Wales v Georgia, 10.45pm, Abu Dhabi Sport
Wales surprised everyone with their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Can they repeat the feat and make Russia 2018? If Gareth Bale stays fit they have every chance, but there’s only one guaranteed qualifying spot from their group. Serbia, Republic of Ireland and Austria are the other contenders in Group D and each has a reasonable chance of clinching top spot. It makes matches against the likes of Georgia all the more important – three points are the only option.
Monday
Netherlands v France, 10.45pm, Abu Dhabi Sports
The Dutch went from World Cup semi-finalists in 2014 to not even making Euro 2016. Their qualifying campaign was a total write-off and they go into the road to Russia in transition. Wesley Sneijder, with 123 caps, is the only outfield player who has appeared more than 40 times for his country.
The French, who played some fantastic football at times at the Euros, will fancy their chances of taking three points.
Tuesday
Colombia v Uruguay, 11.30pm, BeIN Sport
A mouth-watering clash in South American qualifying. Colombia won their last home qualifier against Uruguay 4-0 in 2012, yet were beaten 3-0 in Montevideo a year ago.
With players like Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, James Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca on display, this is a football hipster’s dream.
Uruguay were top of qualifying ahead of this round of games, but five points separates the top seven, with Colombia in fourth.
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