Scouting for fixtures is a weekly blog for people who love the beautiful game. As well as seeking out the most entertaining games, each preview weaves the clubs into a greater football narrative. Each article is a selection of hand picked upcoming matches worldwide that week, which looks set for 90 minutes of non-stop action.
All times are GMT.
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As I stare across the barren landscape, amiss of Premier League, La Liga or any other big name league, the terrifying realisation finally sinks in. It’s international week. If you too are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, let these games tide you over. But don’t get your hopes up. Think of it as filler; and when you look back on this week it’ll just feel like a bad, forgotten dream.
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Millonarios vs Santa Fe ( Mon 20 00:30 )
Last week we had the Medellin derby and now we travel 419km to the capital derby. Unlike their European counterparts, the South American leagues from what I can see, are indifferent to the international week. It makes less sense considering it’s the same week they are participating in the World Cup Qualifiers, but who cares when you have a derby on the cards. Located in Bogota, football acts as an adhesive in an otherwise divided city. Derbies like this are a great opportunity to experience football outside our bubble. Often a jump off point for superstars; former players that perfected their craft in Bogota includes René Higuita (also known as the scorpion-kick keeper), Carlos Valderrama and the great Alfredo di Stéphano. Both sides have come to represent the rich modern Colombia while Santa Fe sees themselves as a grounded and rougher side of the Capital. A rivalry like this undoubtedly has players going for the oppositions shins as much as they go for the ball. If all else fails you might get a 2-for-1. Football with a chance of WWE.
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Germany vs England ( Wed 22 19:45 )
It’s true that this is more of a rivalry in an Englishman’s eyes than that of a German’s. The champions league fixture between Arsenal vs Bayern Munich (2-10) is a microcosm of the relationship between the English football team and the German one.
In fact the managers are also a microcosm:
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x1 League Cup (Aston Villa) |
x1 DFB-Pokal (VfB Stuttgart) |
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x1 League Cup (Middlesborough) |
x1 Austrian Football Bundesliga (Tirol Innsbruck) |
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x1 Championship (Crystal Palace) |
x1 Austrian Supercup (Austria Wein) |
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x1 FIFA World Cup Winner (2014) |
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x1 Sport Bild German Sports Manager of the Year |
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x2 German Football Manager of the Year |
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x1 FIFA World Coach of the Year |
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x1 IFFHS World’s Best National Coach |
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x1 L’Équipe Sports Manager of the Year |
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x3 Finger up the nose |
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x1 (at least that we know of) cheeky bum sniff |
With England’s ever growing injury list, it gives the likes of Defoe, Antonio, Livermore, Ward-Prowse, Keane and Forster the chance to flex their muscles. Though whether it amounts to anything largely depends on if Germany chose to, or not, even bother.
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Uruguay vs Brazil ( Thu 23 23:00 )
The CONMEBOL, otherwise known as the CONfederación SudaMEricana de FútBOL – because that’s how acronyms work – is into its 13th round of fixtures out of 18. How it works is that the top 4 will get a spot in the 2018 World Cup, while the 5th place team will go into an inter-continental play-off between Asia, North & Central Americas and the Caribbean and Oceania teams.
Uruaguay winning would be the perogative for a spectator with no stake in the game, as Brazil’s lead would dissipate to 1 point. With potentially Suarez, Neymar, Godin and a number of elite players fielded on Thursday, hopefully, this and a few games listed below could tide you over to the next week.
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If your withdrawal symptoms are acting up again:
Argentina vs Chile ( Thu 23 23:00 )
Ireland vs Wales ( Fri 24 19:45 )
Scouting for Fixtures 