Argentina vs. El Salvador (Saturday, 12.00am)
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World champions Argentina face El Salvador in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field for an international friendly on Friday evening.
The two nations meet for the first time since March 2015 when La Albiceleste claimed a 2-0 friendly victory, thanks to a second-half own goal and a late strike from Federico Mancuello.
We say: Argentina 4-0 El Salvador
Pulling off an almighty upset against a formidable Argentina side that have only lost two of their last 53 internationals since July 2019 will be a tall order for El Salvador. Indeed, it is difficult to look beyond a comfortable victory for the South Americans, even without the presence of star man Messi.
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> How Argentina could line up against El Salvador
Peru vs. Nicaragua (Saturday, 1.30am)
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For the first time in their history, Peru and Nicaragua will play a friendly match which takes place on Friday at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva in Lima.
The Peruvians squandered a 1-0 lead in their previous encounter versus Venezuela last year, playing to a 1-1 draw, while Nicaragua earned a 0-0 result last November against the Dominican Republic.
We say: Peru 1-0 Nicaragua
While the Peruvians are in relatively poor form at the moment, we are tipping them to pull out a narrow victory because we believe that having a new face on the sidelines could give them a boost for this fixture.
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Ivory Coast vs. Benin (Saturday, 4.00pm)
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Ivory Coast return to action for the first time since claiming a third African title when they face Benin at Stade de la Licorne on Saturday.
Emerse Fae has since been appointed permanently, and they hope to get the better of Gernot Rohr's side in this weekend's exhibition game in Amiens.
We say: Ivory Coast 3-1 Benin
Despite Haller's absence, the African champions should have too much for an out-of-form Benin side that have won one in 11 competitive and non-competitive games, suffering five losses, even if Mounie's presence means the Cheetahs have a chance of nicking one goal at the other hand.
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Rep. Ireland vs. Belgium (Saturday, 5.00pm)
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Euro 2024-bound Belgium begin the build-up to this summer's finals on Saturday, when they tackle the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
While the Red Devils' preparations for Germany will start taking shape at the Aviva Stadium, their ailing hosts are without a permanent manager and were well off the pace in qualifying.
We say: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Belgium
Belgium may be without some big-hitters, but their younger stars have started to shine since Qatar 2022, and they should maintain their momentum in Dublin. The Republic of Ireland are in disarray at the moment, so bridging the gap will surely prove beyond the Boys in Green.
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Slovakia vs. Austria (Saturday, 5.00pm)
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Both stepping up their preparations for this summer's European Championships, Slovakia will play host to Austria at Stadion Tehelne Pole during an international friendly.
The Falcons come into this game looking to continue their stellar form at the end of 2023, and the same can be said of Das Team, who face a difficult group in Germany in the summer.
We say: Slovakia 1-1 Austria
With both sides coming into this clash in a good vein of form, we are expecting a hard-fought encounter between the teams on Saturday afternoon.
Austria are without their talismanic figure in Alaba whilst Slovakia are weaker defensively without Skriniar, so we are predicting a draw in this friendly.
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England vs. Brazil (Saturday, 7.00pm)
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For the first time in 2024, the bright lights of Wembley will shine down on England on Saturday evening, when the Three Lions square off with Brazil in a mouthwatering friendly battle.
As Gareth Southgate's men ramp up preparations for Euro 2024, their South American visitors are intending to snap a demoralising sequence of results in Dorival Junior's first game as head coach.
We say: England 3-1 Brazil
With uncapped players in the double figures and Dorival Junior taking charge of the crop for the first time, Brazil will arrive at Wembley as a relatively unknown quantity, but a patched-up squad on an underwhelming run of form are facing an uphill battle to match their predecessors' results against the Three Lions.
England are not without their own fitness doubts too, but the Three Lions have never lost a home friendly under Southgate and should run a new-look an inexperienced Brazil backline ragged to get off to a winning start in 2024.
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> How Brazil could line up against England
> How England could line up against Brazil
> England vs. Brazil all-time combined XI: Who makes the cut alongside Pele, Ronaldo?
> England vs. Brazil combined XI: Who makes the cut alongside Bellingham, Kane?
Denmark vs. Switzerland (Saturday, 7.00pm)
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Beginning the long build-up to this summer's European Championship, Denmark and Switzerland meet at Parken on Saturday evening.
In the first of several friendlies designed to prepare both teams for the upcoming finals in Germany, the Danes return to home turf, where they have won seven straight games since mid-2022.
We say: Denmark 2-1 Switzerland
Set to meet in the UEFA Nations League later this year, these teams are separated by just two places in the latest FIFA world rankings - but form suggests that Denmark are favourites to prevail. While Switzerland have struggled in recent months, their hosts are always a force to be reckoned with in Copenhagen.
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Basque Country vs. Uruguay (Saturday, 7.00pm)
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Basque Country will play their first match since November 2020 on Saturday evening, with Jagoba Arrasate's side taking on South American giants Uruguay at Athletic Bilbao's San Mames Stadium.
The hosts have not been in action since recording a 2-1 win over Costa Rica in a friendly almost four years ago, while Uruguay's last match was in November 2023, beating Bolivia 3-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
We say: Basque Country 1-2 Uruguay
Basque Country should be incredibly competitive considering the strength of their squad, and Uruguay will not be at full strength on Saturday, which will level out the playing field. We are expecting the visitors to triumph this weekend to continue their strong run of form, but it should be a close match at San Mames.
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France vs. Germany (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Hosting the only team to get one over them throughout 2023, France welcome Germany to the Groupama Stadium on Saturday for an international friendly of titanic proportions.
Die Mannschaft bested their Bleus foes 2-1 seven months ago, and this weekend's fixture represents both teams' first match of the year as Euro 2024 preparations heat up.
We say: France 3-1 Germany
With several veterans expelled from the Germany ranks and Nagelsmann still tinkering with his preferred setup, Die Mannschaft could have rather the experimental feel about them this week, which should not be a recipe for success against a settled France.
Even without the Griezmann glue holding them together, Deschamps's side ought to make the most of Germany's current predicament and lay down a serious marker ahead of Euro 2024.
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> How Germany could line up against France
> How France could line up against Germany
Tunisia vs. Croatia (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Tunisia and Croatia face off in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Saturday in one of the many games being played in the brand-new FIFA Series this week.
In this mini-tournament arranged by FIFA, the winners of this clash will play either hosts Egypt or New Zealand in the final next week.
We say: Tunisia 0-1 Croatia
Dalic must utilise the four games ahead of Euro 2024 wisely, with a changing of the guard taking place within the Croatia squad and a devilishly difficult group to navigate in Germany.
Tunisia are looking to recover from a hopeless showing at AFCON and may be revitalised with a new-look squad, but this is a very difficult test for them.
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Dominican Rep. vs. Aruba (Saturday, 10.00pm)
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The Dominican Republic will face Aruba on Saturday at the Cibao Stadium in an international friendly match.
These countries will be meeting for the first time since 2012, with the visitors looking to secure a historic first victory over the hosts.
We say: Dominican Republic 2-1 Aruba
Aruba have enjoyed a decent run coming into this fixture, but the Dominican Republic will pose a greater threat compared to their last set of opponents.
The Dominican Republic are playing at a higher level and should pick up a win by the end of the final whistle.
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Barney Corkhill
