Euro 2024 fixtures today – your guide to Saturday’s games

England are back in action on Saturday and aiming to maintain their 100% record in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.

Gareth Southgate’s side came through a difficult test against Italy in their opening game and followed it up with commanding victories over Malta, North Macedonia and upcoming opponents Ukraine.

England take on Ukraine on Saturday afternoon but are not the only big nation in action. Belgium, Italy and Switzerland will also take to the field as Euro 2024 slowly appears on the horizon.

Here is the lowdown on Saturday’s European qualifiers.

Ukraine vs England – 17:00

A three-minute double from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka was enough to secure a 2-0 victory for England against Ukraine at Wembley in the reverse fixture, with Southgate hopeful of another straightforward win on Saturday.

Injuries have impacted the England squad with the likes of Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tyrone Mings and Luke Shaw all missing across Southgate’s backline, but there is still a glut of quality at the other end of the pitch and in central areas.

Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice will be aiming to take their sensational club form with Real Madrid and Arsenal respectively into the England midfield, while it will be the first time Kane dons a Three Lions jersey as a Bayern Munich player.

It will be interesting to see whether Southgate uses Eberechi Eze, Levi Colwill or Eddie Nketiah following their call-ups to the senior squad, with Colwill in an especially strong position to get some minutes under his belt.

North Macedonia vs Italy – 19:45

North Macedonia and Italy have history. The nations met one another in the 2022 World Cup knockout qualifying rounds when North Macedonia defied the odds to beat the four-time world champions 1-0, resulting in Italy missing yet another World Cup.

Italy have endured some mixed results since then, but are now working under a new coach. Last season’s scudetto winning manager Luciano Spalletti has replaced Roberto Mancini as Azzurri boss, with North Macedonia the former Napoli man’s first test in charge.

Italy currently sit third in Group C and three points off Ukraine in second, albeit having played fewer games than any other side. They are only above North Macedonia on goal difference and coach Blagoja Milevski may be eyeing another opportunity to break Italian hearts.

Azerbaijan vs Belgium – 14:00

Belgium travel to Azerbaijan knowing a victory will see them take top spot in Group F with Austria not in action until Tuesday. On paper, it should be fairly straightforward for Domenico Tedesco’s side despite a long plane journey, especially given Azerbaijan have only managed one point from three matches and sit rock bottom of the group.

The two nations have clashed four times in the past, the most recent of which came way back in 2011. Belgium have won three of the four, but their last meeting finished in a 1-1 draw – a result Azerbaijan will be desperate to repeat.

Estonia vs Sweden – 17:00

Belgium are not the only side in Group F with a trip to European footballing minnows as Sweden ready themselves for their visit to Estonia.

The Swedes have made a disappointing start to their Euro qualifying campaign, with a sole victory against Azerbaijan sandwiched in between defeats to Belgium and Austria. That has left Janne Andersson’s side playing catch-up, with nothing but three points acceptable against Estonia.

Estonia sit 111th in the FIFA rankings, 88 places below Sweden, and have only managed a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan in qualifying so far. However, they don’t have a terrible record against Sweden, drawing two of their four meetings with the Blue and Yellows.

Andorra vs Belarus – 17:00

Andorra know they can leapfrog Belarus with a victory on Saturday, despite being the sixth worst European side based on FIFA rankings. Belarus sit 54 places above them in the rankings and two points above them in Group I having beaten Kosovo 2-1 in June.

Andorra’s only point also came against Kosovo and the clash with Belarus serves as one of the nation’s best opportunities to pick up some more points.

Kosovo vs Switzerland – 19:45

Switzerland have scored two or more in each of their four qualifying matches so far and will likely keep that record going when they travel to Kosovo. Murat Yakin’s side sit atop Group I with ten points from a possible 12, having only failed to beat Romania in their most recent qualifying clash.

Kosovo have proved a tough team to beat though, picking up draws against Andorra, Israel and Romania, but Switzerland should prove far too powerful for the 109th-ranked side in world football.

Romania vs Israel – 19:45

Israel’s visit to Romania will prove a potentially pivotal clash in Group I, with both sides currently vying for qualification. Romania have the slight advantage at present, sitting a point above Israel in third, and will be aiming to put a significant gap between themselves and their rivals.

The two sides most recently met in an international friendly back in 2022, with honours finishing even in a 2-2 draw.

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