November 2019: Five matches to look out for in the International Break

In the third break of the football season, there are yet more exciting matches to look forward to as players switch their allegiance to their national teams.

The international break returns once again and this time for the last time this year. The November 2019 international break is riddled with fixtures surrounding the UEFA Euro 2020 qualification. Qualification for the same dominates the calendar for national sides. Aside from the Euro qualifiers, there are a host of interesting friendlies with Brazil taking on an Argentina side that will see the return of Lionel Messi for the first time since this summer’s Copa America being the cherry on the cake. Let’s take a look at the top five fixtures to keep an eye out for during the November 2019 International Break between 11th and 19th. [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

5. Brazil vs Argentina - 15th November

The November international break will provide us with a Superclasico between Brazil and Argentina which will be played in Saudi Arabia. Fixtures between Brazil and Argentina are always feisty and the two sides last met each other in the semi-final of the Copa America this summer where Brazil came out on top. Lionel Messi’s comments accusing CONMEBOL of corruption and favouritism towards Brazil who won the Copa America at home will not have gone down well with the Selecao, who would want to have their revenge on the pitch.

4. Romania vs Sweden - 15th November

From the Group F  scenario, Spain has already qualified for the main tournament with 20 points in the bag. However, the spot for the second team to qualify will be directly influenced by the game between Romania and Sweden as both nations are separated by just one point. Sweden has 15 points from eight games and Romania has 14, having played the same number of matches. Romania needs a win to make sure they do not let Sweden qualify from the group at their expense while Sweden would be keen on avoiding a draw or a loss.

3. Russia vs Belgium - 16th November

The 2018 World Cup hosts will take on Belgium in a top-of-the-table clash at Saint Petersburg in Russia. Both the nations have already qualified from Group I with Belgium progressing as table-toppers. Managers Roberto Martinez and Stanislav Chercheshov will probably treat the match as a friendly game without severe consequences. He would be intent on giving chances to players that don’t get too many minutes and trying out new combinations just to get a better idea of what would work going into the Euro next summer.

2. Croatia vs Slovakia - 17th November

Group E also has a very interesting qualification scenario. Croatia, who lead the table, will take on Slovakia who are currently placed third in the group with 10 points. Slovakia have played one game less than Hungary. However, Slovakia have 12 points from seven games and this will provide them with the opportunity to head past them. However, in order to do that, they must take on the likes of Modric, Rakitic, Rebic, Perisic and the likes in a stubborn Croatian side that has somewhat fallen since their dreamy World Cup campaign last year. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | November 2019 International Break |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

1. Argentina vs Uruguay - 18th November

Argentina will meet its fierce rival Uruguay during the international break in Israel. Coach Lionel Scaloni can call for the services of Messi who will be a part of the side once again, having served a three-month international ban following his comments on CONMEBOL during the Copa America in Brazil. He will square up against one of his closest friends and teammate in Barcelona, Luis Suarez. Suarez’s injury was supposed to take time to recover as he limped off during Barcelona’s 3-1 loss to Levante but he came back sooner than expected.