International football is back.
With the World Cup now a thing of the past, European national teams are switching their focus to the qualifying campaign for Euro 2016, which begins Sunday with 25 fixtures on the agenda.
Included in the slate of games is Germany's first competitive match since they hoisted the World Cup in July, as well as Spain, England, and Italy's first shots at redemption following their poor showings in Brazil. Oh, and if you're looking for something a little different, one British Overseas Territory will be making its historic debut on the international stage.
Here are five Euro 2016 qualifiers to watch this weekend:
Germany vs. Scotland (Sept. 7, 14:45 ET)
Scotland will be the first team to take on the world champions in a competitive fixture when they visit Germany at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion on Sunday.
While playing away to Die Mannschaft is always a daunting task, Scotland can take solace in the fact that they're getting their toughest qualifier out of the way immediately. Furthermore, manager Gordon Strachan is - perhaps naively - oozing confidence going into the fixture, claiming that his side have "no fear whatsoever" heading into the match.
Germany, on the other hand, are entering the game following a 4-2 friendly defeat in a rematch of the World Cup final and with something of a new-look team following the international retirement of Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose, and Per Mertesacker. Furthemore, Sami Khedira will be watching from the sidelines after suffering a muscle injury in training.
That being said, one look at Germany's squad and it's clear who the favorites are for Sunday's match.
Prediction: Germany 1, Scotland 1
Spain vs. Macedonia (Sept. 8, 14:45 ET)
Spain's World Cup campaign may have ended in tatters, but they've still got a title to defend in the European Championship.
Following their 1-0 loss in a friendly to France on Thursday, Monday's qualifier against Macedonia will provide Spain with another chance to put their dismal performance in Brazil behind them as they look to kick off their qualifying campaign in improved fashion and earn three points at Valencia's Estadi Ciutat.
Similarly to Germany, La Furia Roja are also in a transitional period following the international retirement of Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso. But with an endless production line of players, there can be little concern over Spain's future, and they should have no trouble emerging from a group that contains the likes of Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, Macedonia, and Luxembourg.
Prediction: Spain 4, Macedonia 0
Switzerland vs. England (Sept. 8, 14:45 ET)
A fresh campaign. A fresh captain. Fresh dreams.
England will look to put their shambolic showing in Brazil behind them on Sunday as they visit Switzerland at St. Jakob-Park for the first match of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign Monday.
The Three Lions have come under heavy criticism for their performance against Norway on Wednesday, despite emerging with a 1-0 win in the friendly. Wayne Rooney, who made his debut as captain of England in the fixture and scored the match's lone goal from the penalty spot, was particularly criticized for his inability to create any attack and link up with teammates.
Switzerland, who have yet to play since their 1-0 extra-time loss to Argentina in the World Cup's round of 16, will obviously be hoping for England to continue their recent form Monday and should be aided by the absence of Daniel Sturridge, who has been ruled out of the qualifier with a thigh injury.
Prediction: Switzerland 0, England 0
Norway vs. Italy (Sept. 9, 14:45 ET)
After a 2-0 friendly win over the Netherlands on Thursday, newly-installed Italy manager Antonio Conte will look to earn a similar result when his side visit Norway at the Ullevaal Stadion in their first Euro 2016 qualifier Tuesday.
Guaranteed starters Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli have both been ruled out of the fixture due to a calf injury and heel surgery, respectively, meaning Italy will likely deploy a backline consisting of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Ranocchia, and Davide Astori.
The match had potential to feature an enticing storyline involving Norway's 15-year-old prodigy Martin Odegaard, but the teenager wasn't included in Per-Mathias Hogmo's squad for the match. Nonetheless, Odegaard will likely appear for Norway at some point throughout their qualifying campaign.
Prediction: Norway 1, Italy 2
Gibraltar vs. Poland (Sept. 7, 14:45 ET)
Matches like Sunday's qualifier between Gibraltar and Poland are the reason we love football so much.
When Gibraltar, UEFA's 54th, newest, and smallest member, take the pitch at their temporary home ground, the Estadio Algarve, it will mark the team's first-ever competitive fixture.
The British Overseas Territory has been trying to gain acceptance into international football since 1999, but UEFA initially declined the option based off the fact that Gibraltar is not a sovereign state. A legal loophole then allowed Gibraltar to provisionally join international football in 2012, and the territory was granted formal acceptance in May 2013.
With a population of only 28,000, few people will give Gibraltar much of a chance against Poland. But their squad possesses three England-based players in Preston North End's Scott Wiseman, Bristol Rovers' Jake Gosling, and Farsley's Adam Priestley. Furthermore, in their five official games to date, Gibraltar have won one, drawn two, and lost two.
Not a bad record, even if they were taking on tiny nations.
Prediction: Gibraltar 1, Poland 0
