What to watch out for in Sunday's EURO qualifiers
Sunday, June 14, 2015
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Wayne Rooney is a hat-trick away from an England record in one of Sunday's key qualifiers, as Slovakia also defend a perfect record and Austria face their toughest test yet.
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Group C
Hleb hopes for Belarus boost
Can Belarus, revitalised under Aleksandr Khatskevich, keep themselves in the hunt by inflicting defeat on Spain in Vicente del Bosque's 100th game in charge? Former FC Barcelona midfielder Aleksandr Hleb told UEFA.com in an interview: "We just have to remember that our team is not as dead as some people think." That said, he added: "As far as our chances of qualifying go, they are tiny."
Belarus v Spain – 20.45CET
Lukáš Tesák: Tune in, turn out
Lukáš Tesák's FC Arsenal Tula side were relegated in Russia, but the season ended on a high as he received his first Slovakia call-up aged 30. The left-back has been drafted in for the home meeting with FYR Macedonia as Tomáš Hubočan is struggling with injury, yet having left his homeland five years ago, Tesák admits he is not familiar with all of his team-mates. "I know them from the TV so no problem," he said.
Slovakia v FYR Macedonia – 20.45CET
Dnipro factor boosts Ukraine
Ukraine lost ground when succumbing to Spain in March but victory against Luxembourg combined with a win for the holders would lift the 2012 co-hosts eight points clear of Belarus in fourth. Keep an eye out for Denys Boyko, Ruslan Rotan and Yevhen Konoplyanka, all named in the official UEFA Europa League squad of the season after their exploits for finalists FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Luxembourg, who crashed 3-0 at home to Ukraine in November, drew 0-0 with Moldova in a friendly on Tuesday despite playing three up front.
Ukraine v Luxembourg – 18.00CET
Group E
Rooney ready for England record
Not only would victory in Slovenia all but secure England's place in France, but a Wayne Rooney hat-trick would make him the first footballer from his country to hit 50 senior international goals, Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing record standing at 49, with Gary Lineker one behind. Lineker said this week: "It will be a brilliant achievement as and when it happens. You don't focus on the record when you're on the pitch because you have to focus on doing your job. If he scores a hat-trick obviously he will know, but good luck to him."
Slovenia v England – 18.00CET
Lithuania look to turn tide
Switzerland trailed Lithuania by three points before the sides met in November. The home team promptly triumphed 4-0 in St Gallen with four late goals and Lithaunia also went down by that scoreline in England in March while Switzerland saw off Estonia 3-0 to climb three points above fourth-placed Lithuania and level with Slovenia in second. Having begun with two wins, Lithuania have lost three group games without scoring and have conceded ten. Indeed, including friendlies, Lithuania are on a run of six fixtures without a goal, most recently Monday's 2-0 reverse in Malta.
Lithuania v Switzerland – 20.45CET
Estonia seek succour
In November, San Marino drew 0-0 at home to Estonia to end a 59-match wait for a first UEFA EURO qualifying point. The result abbreviated an autumn that had started so well for Estonia with victory against Slovenia but they go into Sunday's contest in good heart after a 2-0 success in Finland, their first away win there in nearly 80 years.
Estonia v San Marino – 18.00CET
Group G
Austria's moment of truth
Austria are riding high at the summit of the group but the visit to Russia is their toughest test yet, swiftly followed by September's trip to Sweden, who trail the pacesetters by four points but lead Russia by one. Injured David Alaba is missing for Austria along with Veli Kavlak, Christoph Leitgeb and Andreas Ulmer, though the FC Bayern München man was also unavailable when they beat Russia 1-0 in November.
Russia v Austria – 18.00CET
Montenegro missing key men
With undefeated Sweden four points shy of Austria, and Montenegro three adrift of third-placed Russia, Sunday's duel in Solna is of paramount importance to hosts and visitors alike. Montenegro did hold Sweden 1-1 in November but they enter this game without key players Stevan Jovetić (who got the 80th-minute equaliser in Podgorica) and Mirko Vučinić, while Zlatan Ibrahimović is present and correct for Sweden.
Sweden v Montenegro – 20.45CET
Moldova on a mission
Liechtenstein prevailed 1-0 in Moldova in November and remain three points clear of their bottom-placed guests, for whom the result still rankles. "We want revenge for the home defeat by Liechtenstein and to prove it was an accident," said defender Igor Armaş.
Liechtenstein v Moldova – 18.00CET
You can follow all the action on UEFA.com from 18.00CET