Switzerland vs. Ghana (Thursday, 10.00am)
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Ghana and Switzerland will face off in a World Cup warm-up match in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning.
Both nations start their campaign in Qatar in exactly a week's time.
We say: Switzerland 1-2 Ghana
Neither side will probably look too much into the result here, but both will want to prove they can quickly adapt as a team with such short preparation.
Ghana are the lowest ranked side at the upcoming finals, but with some fresh faces in the squad, they could cause a notoriously stubborn Swiss side a few problems.
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Canada vs. Japan (Thursday, 1.40pm)
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We are less than a week away from the start of the World Cup, but before they begin their respective campaigns in Qatar, Canada and Japan will square off on Thursday at Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
In two previous meetings against them, the Samurai Blue have beaten Canada both times, with the last game coming in 2013, which Japan won 2-1.
We say: Canada 0-1 Japan
The minor injury to Davies seems to have served as a warning call to Herdman to take it easy and rest his star wing-back ahead of the World Cup.
Regardless of how long the top players for either side feature in this match, we are leaning towards the Samurai Blue, who should be able to control the game's pace in the midfield while being a formidable defensive unit to break down.
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Iraq vs. Costa Rica (Thursday, 2.00pm)
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In their final match before the World Cup, Costa Rica will face Iraq for the first time on Thursday in a friendly to take place at Basra International Stadium.
Los Ticos got past Nigeria 2-0 last Wednesday, while Iraq have failed to score in back-to-back contests, drawing Ecuador 0-0 over the weekend.
We say: Iraq 0-1 Costa Rica
Both sides showed a solid commitment to defending and organisation in their previous encounter, but neither have proven they have the poise and quality in the attack to bury their goalscoring opportunities.
The Costa Ricans are not as dynamic as they were at the 2014 World Cup, but their experienced leaders have stepped up countless times to propel them to victory this year, and we anticipate those individuals will do that in this encounter.
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Jordan vs. Spain (Thursday, 4.00pm)
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Jordan will entertain the challenge of European heavyweights Spain in an international friendly matchup between the sides on Thursday evening.
Both teams are on a good run of results heading into their meeting at the Amman International Stadium, and the clash has all the makings of an exciting watch.
We say: Jordan 1-3 Spain
Jordan have been imperious on home turf of late, but the visit of Spain is set to be a tough assignment nonetheless. We are backing the away side to cruise to a routine win at the end of the 90 minutes.
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> How Spain could line up against Jordan
Morocco vs. Georgia (Thursday, 4.00pm)
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In their final warm-up fixture ahead of the FIFA World Cup opener, Morocco go head to head with Georgia at the Sharjah Stadium on Thursday.
Willy Sagnol's men head into the midweek clash off the back of an outstanding run in the UEFA Nations League and will be looking to continue in the same vein.
We say: Morocco 2-2 Georgia
While Morocco will be looking to pick up a morale-boosting result ahead of their World Cup opener, they take on an in-form Georgia side who have enjoyed an impressive 2022. We predict an entertaining contest at the Sharjah Stadium with both sides settling for a share of the spoils.
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Syria vs. Belarus (Thursday, 4.00pm)
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Syria take on Belarus at Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday.
With neither nation qualifying for the forthcoming World Cup in nearby Qatar, this is an international friendly match as both teams build for the future.
We say: Syria 0-1 Belarus
With both teams resting several key players for this friendly, it is unlikely to be a thriller in Dubai.
However, Belarus undoubtedly have more experience within their squad and should have a little too much quality for Syria, too.
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Romania vs. Slovenia (Thursday, 4.30pm)
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An all-European international friendly takes place at the Cluj Arena on Thursday, as Romania play host to fellow World Cup absentees Slovenia.
Both nations failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 and now prepare for their penultimate fixtures of the calendar year before attention turns to qualifying for Euro 2024.
We say: Romania 1-1 Slovenia
Romania have still been prone to the odd defensive lapse despite their recent spate of clean sheets, and Sesko will need no second invitation to make the hosts pay for such frailties.
Failure to pick up victories away from home continues to bedevil Kek's side, though, and we expect Romania to do enough to claim a draw in front of their own fans.
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Montenegro vs. Slovakia (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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Two nations who will not be heading to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar lock horns in a friendly fixture on Thursday, as Montenegro welcome Slovakia to the Podgorica City Stadium.
Both countries have recently slipped down the FIFA World Rankings, with Slovakia currently sitting in 55th while Montenegro are further back in 69th.
We say: Montenegro 1-2 Slovakia
Slovakia are still waiting for a manager bounce under Calzona and that could come against an out-of-sorts Montenegro outfit.
Both sides will fancy their chances of coming out on top on Thursday, but we can see the visitors snatching a narrow victory in Podgorica.
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Finland vs. N. Macedonia (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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Two nations who made their major tournament debuts at Euro 2020 face off in a friendly fixture at the Tose Proeski National Arena in Skopje on Thursday as North Macedonia play host to Finland.
This fixture is the penultimate friendly for both nations before the year comes to a close, as neither will be competing at the 2022 World Cup later this month.
We say: North Macedonia 1-1 Finland
Both North Macedonia and Finland have struggled for consistency in recent months, so Thursday's contest is a difficult one to call.
With Finland resting their talisman Pukki, North Macedonia may do enough to come away with a draw on home soil.
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Malta vs. Greece (Thursday, 5.00pm)
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Malta and Greece prepare to take to the field for their penultimate match of 2022 in Thursday's international friendly at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali.
Neither nation made it through to the finals of the 2022 World Cup and are already ramping up preparations for the imminent Euro 2024 qualification period.
We say: Malta 0-3 Greece
Any new manager bounce that takes effect for Malta this week is unlikely to count for much against an in-form Greece side, even if Poyet is without most of his first-choice backline.
There is no consistent international goalscorer in the visitors' ranks - Bakasetas is the highest scorer in the current squad with only eight strikes - but the Pirate Ship should still prove far too strong for Malta here.
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Israel vs. Zambia (Thursday, 6.30pm)
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Israel entertain the challenge of Zambia in an international friendly encounter at the HaMoshava Stadium in Petah Tikva on Thursday evening.
With neither team featuring at this year's World Cup in Qatar, they will both be looking to round off their involvements for 2022 on a high note.
We say: Israel 2-1 Zambia
Both teams will be without a number of key players for the clash but we expect a keenly-contested affair nonetheless. We are also tipping Israel to carry the day in the end, albeit by only a narrow margin.
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South Africa vs. Mozambique (Thursday, 6.30pm)
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All eyes will be on the Mbombela Stadium on Thursday evening when South Africa entertain the challenge of Mozambique in an international friendly.
The hosts will be looking to record a third consecutive victory, wile the away side set out to preserve a four-match unbeaten streak heading into the clash.
We say: South Africa 2-0 Mozambique
South Africa have dominated this fixture to a large degree and will be seeking to exact revenge for an agonising loss in the most recent edition. We fancy the home side to cruise to a routine victory come the sound of the full-time whistle.
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Portugal vs. Nigeria (Thursday, 6.45pm)
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Portugal wrap up their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup with a friendly matchup against African heavyweight Nigeria at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Thursday.
The three-time African champions, who will not be participating in Qatar following their qualifying heartbreak, will be looking to return to winning ways and close out the year on a high as they prepare for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures.
We say: Portugal 3-1 Nigeria
While Portugal will try to set the pace for the World Cup campaign, Nigeria will be playing for pride as they look to show they can also compete against the very best. However, given the gulf in quality between the two sides, and considering the Super Eagles' recent struggles, we are backing Portugal to come away with a comfortable victory.
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> How Portugal could line up against Nigeria
Luxembourg vs. Hungary (Thursday, 7.00pm)
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At a time when 32 nations are preparing for the upcoming World Cup, Luxembourg and Hungary are gearing up to square off in an international friendly on Thursday evening.
Both teams have just encountered near misses in the UEFA Nations League, finishing in second place after more productive campaigns than had been anticipated.
We say: Luxembourg 0-3 Hungary
Despite the inclusion of a number of newcomers, Hungary will expect to prevail from this contest with relative ease. Although Luxembourg can be pleased with their recent progress, they are facing opponents who are enjoying their best period for years.
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Rep. Ireland vs. Norway (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Having missed out on a place in the World Cup, Republic of Ireland and Norway are currently preparing to do battle in an international friendly in Dublin.
While the home side only narrowly avoided demotion to the third tier of the UEFA Nations League in September, Norway finished three points adrift of group winners Serbia.
We say: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Norway
With Haaland being provided with the night off, Republic of Ireland will sense an opportunity to record a notable victory. However, the visitors still have some talented players, and we would not be surprised to see a narrow win for the Scandinavian nation in Dublin.
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St Lucia vs. San Marino (Thursday, 10.00pm)
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Saint Lucia host San Marino in an international friendly match on Thursday.
Neither nation qualified for the forthcoming World Cup, meaning this friendly - which is being held at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground - is more about building confidence for the future.
We say: Saint Lucia 0-0 San Marino
San Marino are often well organised defensively but find goals extremely hard to come by, so we can envisage them avoiding defeat for only the 10th time in their history.
St Lucia may be rusty having only played two fixtures in the last three years, so they could settle for a draw ahead of targeting a win against the same opponents on Sunday.
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Matt Law
