I have been looking for the best Nations League matches to watch as a Newcastle United fan.
We are all aware that it is going to be a boring three weeks. A massive 23 days between the home win over Hull City and Newcastle United away to Coventry City on Monday 12 October.
No Premier League football due to this extended international break.
The September and October internationals combined into this one lasting three weeks.
But let’s search for a bit of fun and look where the Newcastle United players ae going to be playing and which matches are the stand out ones.
Starting with my countryman Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
The Belgian squad are in a tough looking Nations League group with Italy, France and Turkey. MFP will be hoping to make a major impact under new coach Mark van Bommel. The Dutch coach appointed after Belgium’s World cup run ended under Rudi Garcia who used some ‘interesting’ tactics.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo already has five senior caps under his belt, most of which came in the World Cup when he was used as a substitute. Now with a new coach, MFP looks ready to be the starting striker for Belgium.
He still faces competition from the experienced Romelu Lukaku, Charles de Ketelaere and Loïs Openda.
Italy vs Belgium (25th of September, 7.45pm)
Belgium vs France (28th of September, 7.45pm)
Belgium vs Turkey (2nd of October, 7.45pm)
France vs Belgium (5th of October, 7.45pm)
Lukáš Hornicek has been called up as the Czech Republic also face a tough group, one which features Croatia, England and World Cup winners Spain.
Hornicek faces competition from Matěj Kovar from PSV and Antonin Kinsky from Tottenham Hotspur.
With the form of Kinsky and Tottenham and the fact Kovar doesn’t play in a big five league, the chances are wide open that Hornicek will get minutes in this international break.
Hornicek has one senior cap to his name, which was a friendly against Kosovo back in late May.
The United keeper didn’t start any of the Czech Republic’s World Cup games, but with the Czech Republic having underperformed in that World Cup, maybe it is time for his chance?
Czech Republic vs Croatia (26th of September, 7.45pm)
Czech Republic vs England (29th of September, 7.45pm)
Spain vs Czech Republic (3th of October, 7.45pm)
England vs Czech Republic (6th of October, 7.45pm)
Lewis Hall has a point to prove after the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, with Thomas Tuchel preferring the likes of O’Reilly and Spence (he did really well, we have to admit it)
With four matches now and a beauty of a match between England and Spain, which is a recap from the Euro 24 final in which Spain lifted the trophy after a 2-1 victory.
Nico O’Reilly is the only serious contender in the left-back position in this squad selection. So Lewis Hall needs to make a statement if he wants to become England’s starting left-back at the Euros in two years.
Tino Livramento was also selected by Thomas Tuchel, but had to withdraw from the squad again due to injury, just like he did when he was forced to miss the World Cup due to injury.
England vs Spain (26th of September, 7.45pm)
Czech Republic vs England (29th of September, 7.45pm)
Croatia vs England (3rd of October, 5pm)
England vs Czech Republic (6th of October, 7.45pm)
Jürgen Klopp has made an interesting selection, calling up 44(!) players who have been divided into two squads. The first squad covers the opening two matches and the second squad the final couple of games).
Malick Thiaw has been called up for the last couple of matches against Serbia and Greece.
The Newcastle United defender was selected for the World Cup but only had a small amount of minutes under Nagelsmann.
With two squads it should allow Thiaw to get a chance, with competition from Finn Jeltsch and Waldemar Anton.
Nick Woltemade, who is on loan at Juventus, is also selected in the second selection of Jürgen Klopp.
Germany vs Serbia (1st of October, 7.45pm)
Greece vs Germany (4th of October, 7.45pm)
Some interesting Nations League action to watch but counting the minutes until club football returns.