This international break is a bit frustrating with the Premier League and Champions League getting into decisive periods. It is, also, well worth the domestic action respite. There are a few meaningless friendlies cluttering the schedule, but we have the tension of World Cup playoffs.

A straight, two-legged showdown for a spot in the groups in Russia next summer. Almost as good as non-tournament international matches get.

CROATIA vs GREECE

Croatia looked to have Group I wrapped up for much of the qualifying campaign. It turned out not to be the case, though, when Iceland once again spoiled the party to snatch top spot. As a result, Luka Modric and co are facing the 2004 European champions over two legs to secure a place in Russia.

Greece pipped Bosnia and Herzegovina to second spot in Group H behind the runaway Belgians. Their 17 goals was a couple more than their hosts for this fixture, but they conceded a couple more too.

Croatia were solid in their group, but goals proved hard to come by. Only once – in the opening match against Kosovo – did they score more than two. Only in one of their ten matches did both teams score.

The visitors were just as ineffectual in the final third, having bolstered their goal scoring numbers with eight against Gibraltar.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/7

NORTHERN IRELAND vs SWITZERLAND

Northern Ireland leant on a steely defence to grab a playoff berth. They will aim to do so again when they face Switzerland.

The Swiss won nine of their 10 in the group stage. A truly stunning record, yet it’s even more stunning that they ended up in the playoffs. In the same group, Portugal also won nine of 10, but the European champions ended with a far superior goal difference.

Switzerland’s solitary defeat came in the last match of the group stage to Portugal, just to make it even tougher to take. The under 2.5 goal line looks well priced here...

Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri is one of the stars for Switzerland, and could be creative spark to unlock a Northern Ireland defence that kept seven clean sheets in the group stage. Switzerland did keep six of their own, mind.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 21/50

SWEDEN vs Italy

Italy had to settle for second in Group G. The near-perfect Spaniards blocked their direct path to the World Cup, so it’s a challenging tie with Sweden to determine their immediate future.

Sweden had their own challenges to even get this far. The Netherlands’ recent demise contributed to their success, but it still required some hefty goal scoring against the minnows to secure their place in the playoffs. A victory over France was the undoubted highlight, and this Swedish team are every bit as tough to beat as their reputation suggests.

Drawing with Macedonia and scraping past Albania hardly brings the Italians into this on top form. The search for balance in the team is yet to reach a helpful ending, and creativity has been almost non-existent throughout the qualifying campaign.

Unfortunately, we could be in for yet another cagey encounter in this one. First legs are often dictated by a desire to stay in the tie, I can see this being tense, but boring.

TIP: Sweden or Draw @ 16/25

DENMARK vs Republic of Ireland

It took a rearguard action and an almost painfully pressurised victory against Wales, but the Republic of Ireland have made it to the playoffs. Their tie with Denmark is probably as good as they could have hoped for.

Denmark, though, have one of the form players in world football available in the shape of Christian Eriksen. The Spurs midfielder is the man to watch in this match, and could turn the tie in a moment of individual brilliance. Or, if given space, could dictate the match for 90 minutes.

A draw with Romania to end the group stage showed the inconsistency of this Denmark side. They will have fancied their chances in a fairly easy group, but could not keep pace with Poland.

Ireland, meanwhile, will throw their backs straight against the wall and hope to snatch a goal. That has been the general game plan under Martin O’Neill, and will stick with it. Only scoring 12 in their group is a worry, and means a couple of goals for the Danes could as good as kill this tie.

TIP: Denmark to win @ 8/11

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Since he made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2011, Ross Barkley has been hounded by the weight of English expectation. Whether denounced as the best since Gazza or called ‘the most talented footballer I’ve worked with’ by team-mates, pressure has been cast upon Barkley since his very first taste of professional football.

• Get the best bets on Premier League

Improvement has been hard to find. Under David Moyes he was loaned out, under Roberto Martinez there were signs Barkley was ready to break out in a big way, and now under Ronald Koeman he has been cast into the role of isolated star.

Philippe Coutinho in as short as 3/1 to join PSG this summer

A player of Barkley’s teenage talent is expected to become something exceptional, someone you tell your kids about. Management changes and perhaps the enormous expectation have restricted the next step for Barkley and his career has stagnated. Now that Davy Klaassen and Wayne Rooney have been acquired by Everton, Barkley’s immediate future looks set to be elsewhere and Koeman squeezed him towards the door.

It may sound bleak, but Koeman’s lack of interest in Barkley is far from the shock or reflection on the midfielder’s career is could seem. The England international shan’t be cast into the wilderness of mid-table, his promise and underlying ability will see him step up in the footballing world this summer.

Liverpool to move for Dusan Tadic at 6/1?

A move to Premier League runners-up, Tottenham, is looking likely at 1/2. The required fee is largely unknown, with a variety of prices having already been rumoured. Having recently sold Kyle Walker for around £50 million, however, Spurs are not going to have an issue coughing up even the largest of fees should Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy so wish.

Barkley fits the Spurs profile. Young with plenty of room to grow under Pochettino, the Toffee academy graduate will not find a better home than with the Spurs manager, who has nurtured several gifted youngsters at Spurs already. For Spurs, though, there must be a concern about bringing the best out of Barkley and finding enough minutes for him while Mousa Dembele, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen remain fit. Dropping into the deeper role usually occupied by Dembele might just be one way Pochettino sees he can kickstart Barkley’s career.

Everton 10/1 to land Manchester United defensive outcast this summer

Should Spurs fail to complete a deal for Barkley, though, he is at 7/5 to still be a Toffee once the window closes. Even the newly-wealthy Everton are unlikely to retain a player that is clearly not significant in the manager’s plans, which could make the rest of the betting market for Barkley more appealing.

Manchester United, Arsenal and West Ham are currently outsiders at 10/1, while Chelsea – who are short of midfield options – are 11/1 to secure Barkley this summer. Given their transfer revenue of late, the Blues could make a late swoop for the Evertonian having been interested previously. Arsenal could yet join the race for Barkley too and the once-prodigy might thrive in their 3-4-3.

Few players can dominate a midfield like Radja Nainggolan. The Roma midfielder is an all-action, versatile monster in the centre of the pitch with a skillset rivalled by few amongst Europe’s elite.

• Premier League Betting

Whether used in a deeper role or with the freedom to attack the opponent’s box, the Belgian is an almost unique asset. Tenacity meets technical prowess and it produces a footballer who excites. Nainggolan’s time at Roma has seen his status swell across the European game, as have his performances in an immensely talented Belgian national team.

Serie A has been in the wilderness of late, but Nainggolan’s penchant for spectacular goals and game changing drives through midfield have caught the eye of many a football fan through the waves of social media. Without scoring Frank Lampard numbers, controlling the tempo like Xabi Alonso or flicking the ball like Dele Alli, Nainggolan is a functional, but enjoyable gem.

Nainggolan has been consistently linked with a move to the Premier League. Last summer it was Chelsea, this summer it has primarily been Manchester United. And few players – without actually appearing in the league – have been more suited to the physicality and intensity of England’s top flight.

Last season, the Belgian functioned in a more advanced role than previously and thrived. Picking up 11 Serie A goals – including a few corkers – his power and energy linked the midfield to the prolific Edin Dzeko. Though this is a position he could dominate in during the hustle and bustle of a Premier League encounter, Nainggolan’s true brilliance in England would be enjoyed from a deeper, box-to-box role that enabled late breaking runs to force his opposite number to turn.

At Manchester United, a 4-3-3 would see Nainggolan operate alongside Paul Pogba. Pogba’s passing range acts as the springboard for attacks, while Nainggolan can expose the space created in between the opposition’s lines. It’s a fearsome prospect to even consider the duo in midfield together, but a disciplined, controlling defensive midfielder has to be the priority for United at the moment.

Roma’s midfield sensation is not only the perfect Premier League midfielder, he also fits the bill for everything Jose Mourinho wants from his eights.

Nemanja Matic is slipped in at 3/4 to join Juventus before the window shuts

Speaking of fitting bills for managers, there are few midfielders who would sum up Antonio Conte’s Chelsea more than Nainggolan. A Nainggolan and Kante midfield would be a whirlwind, and it would be complemented supremely by the serene play of Cesc Fabregas. Tiemoue Bakayoko’s arrival has as good as discounted Chelsea from the race for Nainggolan realistically, but Chelsea’s current summer crisis could yet see a late panic move for a player custom-made for the electric Blues.

Any Premier League club would make space for Nainggolan in their side. His price tag will be steep, but the seemingly muted interest from the league’s biggest clubs is surprising.

Alexis Sanchez was unfortunate to miss out on Player of the Season in 2016/17. Even with his heroics, Arsenal fell far short of their minimum Premier League target as they finished fifth after a turbulent, immensely frustrating period in the early months of 2017.

• Premier League Betting on 888sport

An apparent training ground strop and rumours about difficulty getting him to scribble on a new contract overshadowed the closing weeks of the Chilean’s stellar season. His importance in Arsenal’s team – regardless of the setup – was surely a concern for Arsene Wenger, and there were few teams as dependent on one individual last term as the Gunners.

Missing out on Champions League football has, bizarrely, made Alexis’ future more important for Arsenal. Decline could beckon if their best player departs and their annual last 16 date with Bayern is no more. Arsenal have worked hard in recent summers to change their reputation in the transfer market, and that could be undermined by losing Sanchez. Signing the Chilean, Mesut Ozil and other stars has helped the Gunners to shake off the ‘sellers’ tag.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is as short as 5/4 to leave Arsenal for Liverpool

The spending has continued this summer. Alexandre Lacazette – who has scored goals prolifically in Ligue 1 – and Sead Kolasinac – who is a versatile free transfer – meet two of the crying needs for this Arsenal squad. The prospect of Ozil, Alexis and Lacazette lining up in the final third together is fearsome, and will rival the best forward lines in European football next season.

The motive for leaving Arsenal is supposedly about a competitive squad. The lure of Manchester City – who are at Evens to sign Alexis – is based on a loaded attacking group, Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary management and an immediate return to Champions League football. Money would have been a decisive factor in the past, but all murmurings suggest the Gunners are willing to at least match any contract they will table.

Trophies have hardly been common at the Emirates Stadium, however. A penchant for FA Cup success in recent years may keep the medal cabinet growing in the Sanchez household, but that is not enough to retain the interest of a player of his calibre at this stage of his career. Manchester City, who finished only three points above Arsenal, are perceived as title contenders next season, while Wenger’s Gunners are not.

Arsenal at 8/1 to land Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe before the window shuts

Whether this is an unfair evaluation or not is a matter of opinion at this stage. However, we can look at Chelsea, Leicester and Liverpool’s campaigns without the burden of Champions League football in recent years as perhaps a guideline for where Arsenal could be aiming.

Wenger does, unfortunately, remain the factor that may well hold back even a squad as gifted as the current one. It’s the Guardiola versus Wenger issue that may sway Sanchez in the end. That does come with its own risks, though, given the depth in City’s attacking positions. Sanchez will be a squad member and rotated frequently, and he is not a player who takes too kindly to being on the bench.

Arsenal’s summer to date – which could yet see the arrival of another big name forward – should do enough to suggest to Alexis that they are realistic competitors next season. A move to Manchester City could jeopardise the peak years of the Chilean’s career amidst the talents of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.

He’s still at 3/5 to remain at Arsenal this summer, and it would be a mistake for Sanchez to go elsewhere. Manchester City, too, could spend the enormous fee on a player with longer left at the top, and Arsenal simply must not sell to their Premier League rivals at any cost.

Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League final. Marcus Rashford’s sensational free-kick earned the Red Devils a crucial 1-0 win away at Celta Vigo last Thursday and United boss Jose Mourinho will expect his side to do enough on home soil to book their spot in the Stockholm showpiece at the end of May.

• Europa League Betting on 888sport

Mourinho’s men, currently 1/2 to win outright on Thursday, know that a draw is enough to see them through but United fans will demand an exciting performance after their sub-par effort against Arsenal on Sunday. Reaching the final is the main objective but supporters are within their rights to expect a much improved effort at Old Trafford.

Celta Vigo are a decent outfit

United cannot afford to take Celta lightly; the Spanish side were disappointing last Thursday but they will go for the jugular this time around. Defensively, the Reds have been better in recent months but they are prone to making the odd mistake. If Celta’s potent attack are firing on all cylinders, Mourinho’s men may need to be at their best.

With that in mind, I’ll be backing both teams to score at a very reasonable 9/10. Celta might not come out all guns blazing but they will be quietly confident of snatching a goal on the counter attack. If they can keep things tight for the first hour or so, the Spanish side will go all out in a bid to take this contest to extra-time.

Marcus Rashford: United’s difference maker

Every now and then, a talented young star comes along – United have a real diamond on their hands in Marcus Rashford. At just 19 years old, he has already achieved more than most will in their careers and his sublime effort last week will live long in the memory of United’s adoring supporters.

Rashford is priced at 33/25 to get his name on the scoresheet for the second European game in a row and it would take a brave man to back against the United youngster. With Zlatan Ibrahimović out of action, he is now leading the line at Old Trafford and fans will be confident of more Rashford success in the near future.

Score prediction

Both teams to score looks likely here but it may prove prudent to stick with United on home soil. Old Trafford isn’t what it used to be in terms of drama and excitement but the Reds are still capable of winning easily in front of their home fans. The 49/20 on offer for Mourinho’s men to win with both sides scoring is my best of the day...

Real Madrid already have one foot in the Champions League final but victory over arch rivals Atletico would go down a treat with their supporters. Barring a miraculous turnaround, the Spanish giants will be joining Juventus in this year’s main event at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff – and it would take a brave man to back against Zinedine Zidane’s side.

• Champions League Betting on 888sport

As of May 10^th, Real are 17/20 to lift the European Cup this campaign. With first leg hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo in fine form, Zidane’s side will be favoured ahead of what could be a memorable contest. Meanwhile, Juventus are 11/10 to win the competition and head coach Massimiliano Allegri will do his utmost to slow Real’s offensive juggernaut down.

Can Real score? They always score...

But before that, there is the second leg. Can Atletico do the unthinkable? They are priced at 6/4 to win on Wednesday night and restoring some pride will be their primary objective. In theory, an early goal could change things but it is difficult to envision Real NOT scoring right now; Zidane’s side have scored at least once in 60 consecutive matches.

In fact, the visitors are now just one game from equalling Bayern Munich’s record of netting in 61 successive contests. It would be very fitting for Real to accomplish this against Atletico, especially as it will eliminate any slim chance of the hosts advancing to the next stage of the competition.

Ronaldo to do more damage?

For me, 5/3 on Real is a little short considering their situation but their recent form against Atletico is solid. The 11-time European Cup winners have won three of the last four clashes involving the two sides, scoring three times in all three of those victories. With that in mind, and Ronaldo’s record in the Madrid derby, it may prove prudent to back a few goals.

The Portugal legend is well priced at 26/25 to score during Wednesday’s clash and Zidane’s side should see plenty of chances fall their way on the counter attack. Whilst he will be wary of risking any potential injuries in a pretty dead contest, the Real boss will be desperate to win and build momentum ahead of the impending trip to Cardiff.

Score prediction

A tough one to call. Atletico will have to come out and attack but Diego Simeone’s side will be wary of leaving themselves exposed at the back. I fancy both teams to score in what may end up being an entertaining affair. A score draw (1-1 @ 6/1) looks a decent shout...

AJAX vs LYON

A few years ago, I’d have been all over Ajax in this fixture. Unfortunately, the Dutch outfit aren’t the force that they were back then and Lyon will fancy their chances of advancing to the final in Stockholm. Ajax have been in decent form as of late but Lyon are much better than the vast majority of sides competing in Eredivisie.

• Bet now on Europa League

Lyon have been simply sublime in Europe so far this season and the French side will be full of confidence ahead of their trip to Amsterdam. On paper, Lyon are marginally better, both in attack and defence, and I’d find it difficult to back against Bruno Genesio’s men over two legs. While they may find beating Ajax on home soil a step too far, there should be plenty of goals and the 33/25 available for Lyon to score two or more looks well priced.

With star striker Alexandre Lacazette in fine form, Lyon will be quietly confident of notching an away goal or two. If the French outfit can breach the Ajax defence early on, a goal-fest could be on the cards. Lacazette has 30 goals in 39 appearances this season and he is great value at 11/9 to add another to his tally on Wednesday evening.

TIP: Lyon to score over 1.5 goals @ 33/25

ANYTIME SCORER: Alexandre Lacazette @ 11/9

OUTSIDE CHANCE: Lyon to win and both teams to score @ 4/1

CELTA VIGO vs MANCHESTER UNITED

Celta Vigo have more or less given up in La Liga and they will place all of their efforts into winning the Europa League. On their day, the Spanish side are capable of holding their own against elite opposition but this could be a step too far. While they have secured positive results against Barcelona and Real Madrid in the past, their form this year has been patchy at best...

By the same token, United will more or less wave goodbye to their own hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four. The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by Swansea City on Sunday and their best bet now may be to focus on winning the Europa League. With Marcus Rashford, scorer of United's late winner against Anderlecht in the previous round, leading the line, Jose Mourinho will be confident of coming away with a positive result.

At the time of writing, Rashford is 49/20 to score during 90 minutes on Thursday and United know that one away goal could be crucial in this contest. The iconic Zlatan Ibrahimović will miss the remainder of the campaign and Rashford has been tasked with leading the line. An away goal here will help to further boost his stock with United supporters.

TIP: United to win OR draw @ 2/5

ANYTIME SCORER: Marcus Rashford @ 49/20

OUTSIDE CHANCE: United to win 2-1 @ 10/1

With voting done far earlier than is desirable, Chelsea’s players dominate the PFA Player of the Year betting odds. Despite Spurs seeing four of their players named in the Team of the Year (Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Harry Kane and Dele Alli), only one player – Kane – has been nominated for the main individual award.

• Premier League Betting on 888sport

Eden Hazard and N’golo Kante represent Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku for Everton, Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Manchester United and Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal. Kante and Hazard unsurprisingly lead the market, with Kante 1/10 to pick up the trophy as he closes in on his second successive Premier League winners medal. The Frenchman has experienced a late dip in form, but his dominance in midfield over the last two seasons has likely earned sufficient respect from his opponents to see him win it.

Hazard – who has scored 14 league goals already this season – is comfortable second favourite. Despite being 5/1 for the award, the 2014/15 winner is a decent bet from this market given his recent performances and mesmeric moments. Chelsea are still comfortable favourites for the Premier League title – understandably given their fixture list – and Hazard is undoubtedly the player that makes them tick in the final third. It would be a shock, but it’s not impossible Hazard pips his Chelsea team-mate to the award.
 

Oddly, Ibrahimovic sits in third place at 20/1. We are entering longshot territory with the Swede, even with his reputation and impact on Manchester United. Their apparent reliance on him might be of concern to Mourinho, but it is his missed chances that make it hard to envisage too many votes for the former Juventus man. His goal scoring exploits have been impressive, though, United’s underwhelming campaign does him no favours.

The real longshot (that has next to no chance of winning it) is Alexis Sanchez. Out at 50/1 after Arsenal’s turbulent second half of the season, the Chilean was a strong contender for the award up until Christmas when everything headed south for the Gunners.

The other two – Lukaku and Kane – are at 25/1 and 33/1 respectively. Both are nominated for the Young Player of the Year award, too, and have considerably better chances at taking that home unsurprisingly despite Dele Alli being clear favourite. The league’s two leading goal scorers might have to settle for a late golden boot duel rather than any PFA acclaim this time around.

A Manchester derby at this time of the season was meant to mean so much more. A title – for at least one of the clubs – should be on the line at this point, but neither Jose Mourinho nor Pep Guardiola have lived up to the lofty expectations cast upon them during their first campaigns in the North-West of England.

• Get the best bets on Premier League

Goal scoring issues have hampered Manchester United, while Manchester City’s defence has too frequently crumbled under minute pressure. Tactically both managers have had respective issues, but neither have been able to achieve consistency in performance. The Red Devils boast a lengthy unbeaten run, though a crippling number of home draws have left them outside the top four, despite being just one point behind their city rivals.

A draw, however, feels an unlikely outcome here. Manchester City have drawn just seven league games all season and will be desperate to claim victory to earn a cushion from their rivals. Guardiola does not really ‘do’ settling for a result and, with Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both unavailable for Mourinho, the blue half of the city are understandably firm favourites at 87/100.

The worry for City will be the pace of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford. Their defence has been vulnerable to fast-breaking sides throughout the season and will be tasked with dealing with an in-form Rashford, who was rested at the weekend. Wayne Rooney is unlikely to start, with Rashford having been a Europa League hero and tormentor of Chelsea recently. The Mancunian is 27/10 to score in 90 minutes, which really looks a great price.

After being substituted early in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal, Sergio Aguero is a guaranteed starter at the Etihad on Thursday night. A consistent performer in the biggest games, Aguero’s instincts and bursts of speed make him a tyrant for opposition centre-backs. The Argentine is out at 17/5 to score first, a price that is hard to resist given his prolific record and the atmosphere that will surely spur on a fast start from the Citizens.

Although Mourinho’s United boast the league’s second best defensive record and have won three in a row without conceding, a clean sheet is unlikely against this potent City attack. Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling will all feature against a United defence missing several key names Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score is my pick from the game at 43/20. Combining this with a home victory makes for a longer odds shot of 24/5, too.

REAL MADRID vs BAYERN MUNICH

Zinedine Zidane’s side are in the driving seat after their 2-1 win at the Allianz Arena last week and I fancy the hosts to secure a fifth victory in six games against the German giants here. With Cristiano Ronaldo back amongst the goals in Europe’s elite club competition, Los Blancos might have too much firepower in attack.

• Champions League Betting on 888sport

Bayern’s chances of victory last weekend were scuppered after Javi Martinez was sent off for two bookable offences and the Bundesliga champions will need plenty of luck to reach the quarter-finals. Carlo Ancelotti knows how Real operate but this may be a step too far for the visitors...

TIP: Real Madrid to win @ 11/8

LEICESTER CITY vs ATLETICO MADRID

If anyone can do the unthinkable, it’s Leicester City. That all-important away goal eluded Craig Shakespeare’s side last week but the Foxes have enough quality to cause Atletico issues if they perform at their clinical best. With Jamie Vardy back in fine form, Leicester may be ready to produce another shock.

Atletico ran out one-nil winners at the Vicente Calderon in the first leg and Diego Simeone’s men will be confident of reaching the next round. On paper, the visitors shouldn’t have too much trouble dispatching Leicester but at least one goal for each side looks likely, especially as the Foxes have to chase the game.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 43/50

FC BARCELONA vs JUVENTUS

Once again, Barcelona will attempt to come back from the brink of elimination. After trailing to Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round, the Spanish side managed to produce one of the great Champions League comebacks to advance to this stage. Barcelona might well win but a clean sheet may elude their grasp once again.

Juventus will try to keep things tight at the back whilst hitting Barcelona on the break and the Italian champions won’t fall into the same trip as Paris Saint-Germain. Massimiliano Allegri is an old campaigner and he knows just how important one away goal could be; back the visitors to notch at least once in the Camp Nou.

TIP: Over 0.5 Juventus goals @ 2/5

AS MONACO vs BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Monaco defied the odds to earn a shock 3-2 victory away at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg and it would take a brave man to back against the French outfit on current form. Radamel Falcao and young superstar Kylian Mbappe are in scintillating form and goals may fly in at both ends on Wednesday night.

Don’t rule Dortmund off just yet, they are capable of scoring a hatful if they find their best form. The German side were rocked by events prior to last week’s fixture and they may be a much stronger outfit this time around. I’m expecting Monaco to go through but Dortmund may make a game of it...

TIP: Monaco to go through @ 3/10