Euro 2024 qualifiers today: Your guide to Saturday’s games

Current European champions Italy are one of the sides in action this Saturday as Euro 2024 qualification continues ahead of the tournament in under a year’s time.

A trip to Germany next summer lies in wait for those lucky enough to qualify from their groups, with the tournament edging closer with each passing week. This October international break could prove pivotal for dozens of nations across Europe, with some aiming to secure their Euro 2024 ticket.

While little can be officially decided on Saturday, there are still definitive clashes in Group C, G and H, including some nervy top of the table encounters.

Here is your guide to Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.

All times are BST.

Ukraine vs North Macedonia – 14:00

Ukraine’s international break in September brought mixed emotions. It began with a brilliant 1-1 draw with England in Poland but finished with a disappointing defeat away in Italy. As a result, Ukraine’s qualification for Euro 2024 is in jeopardy.

Serhiy Rebrov’s side need a victory from their home encounter with North Macedonia on Saturday to keep pace with Italy in second ahead of their expected win against Malta. Ukraine came from two goals down with half an hour remaining to win 3-2 away in North Macedonia in the reverse fixture, a result which has ultimately kept their qualification hopes alive.

North Macedonia also sit on seven points alongside Ukraine and Italy and will be looking for revenge this Saturday. Blagoja Milevski’s men have responded well to their 7-0 thrashing at the hands of England, drawing 1-1 with Italy and beating Malta 2-0 in September. Their clash with Ukraine promises to be a closely-fought affair.

Italy vs Malta – 19:45

Luciano Spalletti’s third game in charge of Italy couldn’t be a lot more straightforward. The former Napoli boss welcomes Malta to Bari on Saturday and fans will be expecting the current European champions to put the fourth-lowest FIFA ranked European side to the sword.

Somewhat surprisingly, Italy only managed a 2-0 win away in Malta back in late March, having failed to score more than two goals against the minnows in their last five encounters. Spalletti will be hoping for a more lavish display from his side this time as they aim to keep pace with England and move clear of Ukraine and North Macedonia.

Bulgaria vs Lithuania – 17:00

Saturday’s match between Bulgaria and Lithuania is something of a dead rubber. Both sides sit on two points and bottom of Group G, although Lithuania have a slightly worse goal difference. Neither side will be playing at Euro 2024, but the chance for a first group victory is not to be sniffed at.

Bulgaria will be slight favourites for this one, especially given their home advantage, but the points were shared the last time these two teams faced off in a 1-1 draw back in June. Neither nation will be brimming with confidence, but Bulgaria’s 65-place superior FIFA ranking means there will be more pressure on them to get a result.

Hungary vs Serbia – 19:45

Hungary’s game with Serbia is the other clash in Group G and is the complete opposite of a dead rubber. These two nations are the top two in the group, tied on ten points before they meet again on Saturday.

Both sides are two points above third-placed Montenegro, but Hungary have the advantage of a game in hand on the other teams in the group. It was indeed Hungary who had the last laugh in their last meeting, beating Serbia 2-1 thanks to two goals in as many minutes before the break in Belgrade.

However, Serbia and Hungary are both in strong form, while neither have proved all-conquering in a tight group. Perhaps the two nations will be fairly satisfied with a point apiece on Saturday to keep Montenegro at bay.

Northern Ireland vs San Marino – 14:00

Northern Ireland’s Euro 2024 dream is all but over after five successive group stage defeats, but if they if they fail to defeat Europe’s worst side in San Marino then it will be official.

San Marino are the only side Northern Ireland have beaten in the group stages and a victory on Saturday is essential to simply avoid embarrassment. The European minnows have unsurprisingly failed to pick up a point in six group games, racking up a -21 goal difference without scoring.

Even a handsome victory against San Marino will not paper over the significant cracks in Northern Ireland, although it would provide some much-needed respite.

Slovenia vs Finland – 17:00

First-placed Slovenia take on third-ranked Finland with Group H readying itself for another twist this weekend. Slovenia have been in sensational form, winning four of their six group games, but their one defeat did come at the hands of Finland back in June.

That result put Finland in a strong position to qualify, but two defeats to Denmark have put a spanner in the works. Therefore, a positive result away in Slovenia could prove definitive in Group H, with Denmark and Kazakhstan ready to pounce on the side that drops points.

Slovenia have only qualified for the Euros once before way back in 2000, with Saturday’s encounter giving them a great chance of just a fourth major tournament visit.

Denmark vs Kazakhstan – 19:45

Both Denmark and Kazakhstan will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of Slovenia vs Finland, knowing it’s possible to finish the evening top of Group H.

Kazakhstan’s impressive qualification campaign was spearheaded by a sensational 3-2 comeback victory against Denmark on matchday two, adding a victory against San Marino and two against Northern Ireland to their tally. They sit a point behind Denmark and Slovenia in the group and level with Finland as they look to qualify for a first major tournament.

Denmark have the advantage of a home tie with Kazakhstan this time out and will be wary of a potential upset. If they win on Saturday evening and Slovenia draw or lose, they will move to the top of Group H.

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