Haaland misses trip to Spain

Haaland misses trip to Spain

Top-flight international action headlines this weekend’s TAB soccer pools and with many countries starting afresh after the World Cup finals in Qatar late last year, some upset results are on the cards which could lead to huge payouts.

By Mark Gleeson

Erling Haaland’s prolific form in recent weeks for Manchester City in both domestic and Champions League football suggested he might be able to help Norway cause a shock at the start of the European Championship qualifiers this weekend.

However, in a major blow to the Scandinavian country, Haaland sits out tomorrow’s Group A clash away against Spain in Malaga.

Haaland is out for this international break due to a groin injury, and Norway must now turn to the Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard to carry their hopes in a tough away trip to start their campaign.

Odegaard has also been one of the best players in the Premier League this season but whether he alone can do the job away in Spain looks unlikely.

It is the start of a new era for Spain, as it is for many countries post the World Cup finals in Qatar late last year.

The Spanish have a new coach after being bundled out of the World Cup by Morocco with Luis De la Fuente allegedly forced to hold his first training sessions in two separate groups, with Real Madrid and Barcelona players kept apart to stop tempers fraying after the histrionics of Sunday’s El Clasico.

World Cup semi-finalists Croatia and Morocco play their first games since their exploits in Qatar and will be given a warm reception by their home fans.

Croatia meet Wales in a Euro qualifier in Split while Morocco stage a home friendly in Tangier against Brazil – both tomorrow.

Brazil are using an interim manager while they still chase Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and are without injured Neymar for the trip to the Moroccan port city.

Croatia continue to have the ageless Luka Modric at the helm of their side, although another experienced player, Dejan Lovren, has retired from international football. The 37-year-old Modric is joined in Croatia's latest squad by 34-year-old Ivan Perisic, another key player.

Last year’s winter World Cup continues to play havoc with the footballing calendar, with the Euro 2024 qualifiers being crammed in over a period of just eight months.

A usual qualifying campaign would last for approximately 14 to 15 months but for next year’s tournament, it will be rushed into five international windows between now and November.

Most nations face two games this week, two more in the late June window, before three successive international breaks in September, October and November.

With the close-knit nature of the schedule, it makes hitting the ground running all the more important.

Top-flight international action headlines this weekend’s TAB soccer pools and with many countries starting afresh after the World Cup finals in Qatar late last year, some upset results are on the cards which could lead to huge payouts.

By Mark Gleeson

Erling Haaland’s prolific form in recent weeks for Manchester City in both domestic and Champions League football suggested he might be able to help Norway cause a shock at the start of the European Championship qualifiers this weekend.

However, in a major blow to the Scandinavian country, Haaland sits out tomorrow’s Group A clash away against Spain in Malaga.

Haaland is out for this international break due to a groin injury, and Norway must now turn to the Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard to carry their hopes in a tough away trip to start their campaign.

Odegaard has also been one of the best players in the Premier League this season but whether he alone can do the job away in Spain looks unlikely.

It is the start of a new era for Spain, as it is for many countries post the World Cup finals in Qatar late last year.

The Spanish have a new coach after being bundled out of the World Cup by Morocco with Luis De la Fuente allegedly forced to hold his first training sessions in two separate groups, with Real Madrid and Barcelona players kept apart to stop tempers fraying after the histrionics of Sunday’s El Clasico.

World Cup semi-finalists Croatia and Morocco play their first games since their exploits in Qatar and will be given a warm reception by their home fans.

Croatia meet Wales in a Euro qualifier in Split while Morocco stage a home friendly in Tangier against Brazil – both tomorrow.

Brazil are using an interim manager while they still chase Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and are without injured Neymar for the trip to the Moroccan port city.

Croatia continue to have the ageless Luka Modric at the helm of their side, although another experienced player, Dejan Lovren, has retired from international football. The 37-year-old Modric is joined in Croatia's latest squad by 34-year-old Ivan Perisic, another key player.

Last year’s winter World Cup continues to play havoc with the footballing calendar, with the Euro 2024 qualifiers being crammed in over a period of just eight months.

A usual qualifying campaign would last for approximately 14 to 15 months but for next year’s tournament, it will be rushed into five international windows between now and November.

Most nations face two games this week, two more in the late June window, before three successive international breaks in September, October and November.

With the close-knit nature of the schedule, it makes hitting the ground running all the more important.