FIFA

Group leaders and neighbours meet as qualifying continues
(FIFA.com) 08 Jun 2017

France's forward Antoine Griezmann (L) challenges Sweden's defender Andreas Granqvist
• European World Cup qualifying passes the halfway mark
• Italy and Spain continue their tussle for Group G lead
• Scotland host neighbours England

The stage is set for top-of-the-table encounters in two of Europe’s qualifying groups for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. Elsewhere, teams in other groups will jostle for position – particularly Spain and Italy in Group G – while football’s oldest rivalry resumes between Scotland and England.

The match to watch in Group A is the top-of-the-table clash between Sweden and France. Although the UEFA EURO 2016 finalists are widely expected to top their section, their Scandinavian opponents will be determined to make things as difficult as possible in Solna – particularly after taking the lead in Les Bleus’ 2-1 win in Paris back in November. "It’s not a final; we still have plenty of games ahead of us," said France coach Didier Deschamps. "It’s important, but it matters even more to Sweden. Three points would be ideal." As Bulgaria travel to Belarus, who are yet to win a match in the group, and the Netherlands host a Luxembourg side with a similarly winless record, both teams will seek to post victories to keep the pressure on the leading pair.
The situation in Group A

In Group B, Switzerland have yet to drop a point and are expected to continue that trend against the Faroe Islands. European champions Portugal will be keen to use their match in Latvia to warm up for their campaign at the FIFA Confederations Cup, while a win for Hungary over bottom-placed Andorra would keep them in touch with the top two teams.
Source: www.fifa.com