International break: key fixtures to watch out for as England's World Cup opponents are all in action
The top domestic leagues' break continues as international friendlies dominate the fixtures. We look at the best games to watch out for in the coming days, along with which could be dress rehearsals for the World Cup.
Tuesday 27th March
England v Italy (ITV)
Southgate's men are back in action on Tuesday as they face Italy at Wembley.
The Italians will have already faced a tough test coming up against Argentina in Manchester and England will be looking for victory in front of their home crowd.
It will be England's penultimate game at Wembley before the World Cup. They host Nigeria at the national stadium before facing Costa Rica at the Leeds United's Elland Road.
Switzerland v Panama
Panama are also playing again on Tuesday as they face a tough test in Switzerland at the Swissporarena in Lucerne.
45 places separate these two sides in the FIFA World Rankings going into this clash.
Whilst England will face Panama in Russia, they could also meet Switzerland at the quarter-final stages if both sides finish second in their groups, which Switzerland can be found at 6/4 to do.
Tunisia v Costa Rica
Tunisia face Costa Rica with both sides looking for positive results ahead of the World Cup.
Costa Rica will be in action against Scotland, whilst Tunisia will have already faced outsiders Iran before this clash.
Much like the Iran clash, it's not set to be a classic, but one well worth keeping an eye out for as we look to establish how much of a threat they will be in Russia.
Belgium v Saudi Arabia
The main contender for the top spot in Group G play just one game over the international break as Belgium take on Saudi Arabia at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
Roberto Martinez's men are the 8/11 favourites to win Group G in Russia, and it will be set to go down to the last fixture as they face England.
The Belgians possess a wealth of talent and have named a strong outfit for their friendly clash on Tuesday night.
Thibaut Courtois is included in the goalkeepers, with Toby Alderweirled, Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen all named in the defence.
The midfield sees the likes of Tottenham's Mousa Dembele, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne and Roma's Radja Nainggolan, alongside youngsters Youri Tielemans and Axel Witsel.
Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Kevin Mirallas, Michy Batshuyai and Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku provide the attacking options, and they should have no problems in seeing off Saudi Arabia on home soil.
Hungary v Scotland (BBC One Scotland)
Scotland travel to Budapest on Tuesday to face Hungary, with neither side in the 32 teams to fly to Russia in the summer.
This game will provide the opportunity for McLeish to further assess his squad, and gives some of those uncapped players the opportunity to stake a claim for the future.
A familiar face in the Hungary line-up will be Tamas Priskin, the striker has previously feature for the likes of Watford, Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers.
Spain v Argentina (Sky Sports Football)
It could be a dress rehearsal of a potential World Cup quarter-final tie as Spain meet Argentina at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
Should both sides win their respective groups, as expected, and see off last-16 opposition in potentially Russia and Denmark, the bracket pairs these two together at the final-eight stage.
It'll be an entertaining clash between two sides who will fancy their chances in lifting the trophy in the summer. The game is also live on Sky Sports Football as well and should be well worth a watch.
Germany v Brazil (BT Sport 2)
Another mouth-watering tie on Tuesday comes in Berlin as Germany host Brazil.
Much like Spain v Argentina, this could be a potential World Cup rehearsal, but this one could come at a much later stage.
Should they both win their groups, and if they continue to win the bracket separates these two until the final in Moscow.
Despite home advantage, Germany come into this one at 6/5, with Brazil available as big as 11/5 to win this friendly with Sky Bet.
Russia v France
If Russia win their group at the World Cup they host, they could face France at the quarter-final stages.
It's the second of two tough games for Russia as they look to test themselves against the very best ahead of the tournament.
France themselves have two relatively difficult games, with the first coming up against Group H hopefuls Columbia.
France are the clear 2/7 favourites to win Group C, and should have a similar standard test when they face Russia on Tuesday.
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