A look at what’s happening in World Cup qualifying in Europe on Tuesday:
GROUP D
France has advanced as group winner, but still to be determined is which team will head to the playoffs as runner-up. Finland is in second place, two points ahead of third-placed Ukraine, but seemingly has the harder fixture at home to France. Ukraine is away to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finland has a superior goal difference than Ukraine of two, with that being the tiebreaker if both teams finish on the same points.
Netherlands' Memphis Depay celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match between Montenegro and Netherlands, at the City stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP PhotoRisto Bozovic)
GROUP E
Wales needs a point against already-qualified Belgium to secure second place and get a chance of a home draw in next year's playoffs. The Welsh are already sure of a place in the playoffs because they won their most recent Nations League group. Wales is in second place, five points behind Belgium and three ahead of the Czech Republic, which closes group play at home to Estonia. The Czechs have an inferior goal difference of two compared to Wales.
GROUP G
Wales' Neco Williams, second right, celebrates scoring with teammates during the World Cup 2022 qualifying soccer match between Wales and Belarus at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021. (Bradley CollyerPA via AP)
It's a second chance for the Netherlands to tie up first place and an automatic spot in the tournament in Qatar. With their first, the Dutch conceded two late goals to draw at Montenegro 2-2 on Saturday and are two points ahead of both Turkey and Norway. The Netherlands closes group play against Norway in Rotterdam, where the match will be played in an empty stadium due to a new partial lockdown in the country. Center back Stefan de Vrij was injured against Montenegro and is out, likely meaning Matthijs de Ligt will slot in beside Virgil van Dijk. Star striker Erling Haaland is the big miss for Norway because of injury. Turkey is away to Montenegro in their last qualifier and has a superior goal difference of one to Norway. The Netherlands' goal difference is far superior to both of them so a draw would surely be enough for Louis van Gaal's team to finish first.
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Wales' Connor Roberts, centre right, celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal of the game during the World Cup 2022 group E qualifying soccer match between Wales and Belarus at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Nov. 13, 2021. (Bradley CollyerPA via AP)
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
GERMANY
Bayern Munich can seal a record 10th consecutive Bundesliga title in style with three games remaining with a victory at home over second-placed Borussia Dortmund. Bayern is hoping to continue its strong record against Dortmund after winning their last seven encounters. In Europe’s top five leagues, Bayern is tied for the record of nine consecutive titles with Juventus, which won Serie A every season from 2012 to 2020. For Dortmund, Erling Haaland ended a goal drought by scoring twice against Wolfsburg last week amid speculation over his future. Elsewhere, Leipzig hosts Union Berlin for the second time this week after winning their German Cup semifinal, and Champions League-chasing Freiburg hosts Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bayer Leverkusen visits last-placed Greuther Fürth, Eintracht Frankfurt takes on Hoffenheim, and Cologne plays Arminia Bielefeld.
PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center right, celebrates his goal with teammates during the League One soccer match between Angers and Paris Saint Germain, at the Raymond-Kopa stadium in Angers, western France, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (AP PhotoJeremias Gonzalez)
FRANCE
Paris Saint-Germain is just one point away from sealing a record-equaling 10th league title. With five matches left to play this season, Mauricio Pochettino’s players have the opportunity to wrap up their dominant campaign in front of their home fans against Lens at the Parc des Princes. PSG has a 15-point lead over Marseille and can be crowned even if it loses against Lens on the condition that Marseille does not beat Reims on Sunday. PSG is set to move level with Saint-Etienne, which won its 10th title in 1981 and is fighting to stay up this season. Only two of PSG's previous titles — in 1986 and 1994 — were conquered before Qatar Sports Investments took over PSG in 2011 with the aim of turning it into a world-class club. Also, Saint-Etienne hosts in-form Monaco and Montpellier travels to Lyon.
ENGLAND
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (AP PhotoDave Thompson)
Manchester City can move four points clear of second-placed Liverpool in the back-and-forth Premier League title race with a home win over relegation-threatened Watford. A victory for City would put pressure on Liverpool ahead of its Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday. More intrigue this weekend might lie in the race for Champions League qualification, with two candidates meeting at Emirates Stadium when fifth-placed Arsenal hosts sixth-placed Manchester United. Arsenal is tied on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, with United three points back. Tottenham visits Brentford in a match between Christian Eriksen's past and present clubs. Last-placed Norwich is eight points from safety heading into a home match against Newcastle, and Leicester hosts Aston Villa in the other game.
SPAIN
Real Betis and Valencia play the final of Spain’s Copa del Rey in Betis’ hometown of Seville. The match will be at Estadio La Cartuja, a neutral ground where Spain’s national team played its group phase matches for last year’s European Championship. Valencia will be seeking its ninth Copa del Rey after winning No. 8 in 2019. Betis’ second and last cup title came back in 2005. The winner will also earn a Europa League berth.
ITALY
Inter Milan forward Edin Džeko could bring up a century of Serie A goals by scoring twice against his former club as the defending champion hosts Roma. Džeko has a total of 98 goals in the Italian league — 13 for Inter this season and the rest in five years at Roma. A win would send Inter to the top of Serie A, with current leader AC Milan playing at Lazio on Sunday. Inter will also be buoyed after beating Milan 3-0 midweek to reach the Italian Cup final. A win could reignite Roma’s challenge for a Champions League berth. Atalanta has seen its hopes of a top-four finish evaporate following a run of three straight defeats and it visits relegation-threatened Venezia. Two other sides battling the drop, Sampdoria and Spezia, travel to Hellas Verona and Torino respectively.
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