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As club football takes the backseat for the next two weeks, the last international break of the year is set to commence in the coming days. Although a handful of teams have already sealed qualification, a whole host of clubs across Europe will aim to seal qualification to UEFA Euro 2020 in the coming weeks, before returning to their clubs to negotiate the busiest part of the footballing calendar - the festive period.
Argentina will be boosted by the return of Lionel Messi, who returns to the international fray after serving a three-month suspension after accusing the governing body of corruption following his side's semi-final loss to Brazil at the Copa America this summer. Lionel Scaloni will look to make the most of the Barcelona talisman as they face two of their fiercest rivals from the continent in Uruguay and Brazil.
As the final international break of the year is set to commence in the coming days, here are 5 standout fixtures to look forward to.
5. Germany v Belarus (UEFA EURO Qualifiers Group C)
Germany take on Belarus as they seek top spot in Group C. Joachim Low's side are currently second in standings and head into the game as overwhelming favourites, as they host a wounded Belarus side who've registered just one win in the UEFA EURO Qualifiers so far.
Die Mannschaft have an identical record to that of the Netherlands but find themselves in second place, as Ronald Koeman's side occupy top spot in the table by virtue of their superior head to head record.
Timo Werner has been RB Leipzig's goalscoring sensation this week and the 24-year-old will look to continue his hot-streak for his national team, as he looks set to lead the line. The likes of Marco Reus, Kai Havertz and Niklas Stark have been forced to pull out of the squad owing to injuries and it remains to be seen if the trio are replaced in the coming days.
Also check out: Bundesliga schedule EPL fixtures La liga table 2019-20
4. Albania v France (UEFA EURO Qualifiers Group H)
After coming agonizingly close to winning Euro 2016 at home, France went one step further and won the World Cup two years later and Les Blues will look to topple Turkey, who are on top of Group H.
Didier Deschamps side have lost only one game in qualification at this stage although they head into the game as overwhelming favourites, Albania will aim to cause an upset and enhance their chances of qualification with a victory that could change the landscape of things in the group.
Blaise Matuidi has pulled out of the squad owing to an injury and Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, who has been one Unai Emery's key players this season, has been drafted in as a replacement. With Hugo Lloris sidelined for the foreseeable future, Steve Mandanda is set to deputize between the sticks and the Marseille goalkeeper will look to make his chance count, in the absence of his national team captain.
3. England v Montenegro (UEFA EURO Qualifiers Group A)
With 15 points from 6 games, England occupy top spot in their group and look primed for qualification, in stark contrast to their opponents Montenegro who are one of two winless sides in Group A.
Although Gareth Southgate's side registered a stunning 6-0 victory away to Bulgaria, the game was marred with controversy as the Bulgaria fans were charged by UEFA for Nazi salutes and racist chants directed at England players.
Although the likes of Ross Barkley and Tom Heaton were initially called up, they've withdrawn from the squad in recent days owing to injuries. Dean Henderson has been one of the most consistent performers for Sheffield United this season and the 22-year-old has been called up to the senior squad for the first time, in Heaton's absence.
Jack Grealish was reportedly on the standby list but the Aston Villa captain is nursing an injury himself, meaning no replacements have been planned for Chelsea's Barkley at this point of time.
2. Argentina v Uruguay (International friendly)
As Argentina take on Uruguay in Tel Aviv, Lionel Messi's return to the squad is the major talking point as the Barcelona talisman returns to the national team after a three-month suspension. The diminutive Argentinian was slapped with a hefty fine and banned from representing his national team for three months for accusing the governing body of corruption following his side's semi-final loss to Brazil at the Copa America this summer.
As Lionel Scaloni aims to make his presence felt at the helm of the two-time World Cup winners, Argentina take on two of their fiercest rivals in the continent in Uruguay and Brazil, as they aim to register morale-boosting victories.
Marcos Rojo and Roberto Pereyra have been ruled out as the pair picked up injuries whilst representing their respective clubs and it remains to be seen who Scaloni opts to draft in as a replacement.
The likes of Diego Godin and Edinson Cavani have been recalled for Uruguay and Luis Suarez has also passed a late fitness test, after missing the last three games for Barcelona owing to a calf injury he picked up in the Blaugrana's shock 3-1 defeat against Levante.
1. Brazil v Argentina (International friendly)
Brazil take on Argentina in a friendly and the fixture is the standout attraction of the international break. Ties between the two teams are never considered to be friendlies and the two sides will be hoping to get one over their fiercest rivals irrespective of the fact that there's nothing at stake, barring bragging rights.
Tite has not called up any of the home-based players and they are set to feature in the final rounds of the Brazilian league. The 58-year-old has opted to name a much-changed squad including the likes of Douglas Luiz and Rodrygo Goes, who've impressed for their respective clubs in recent weeks.
Neymar has been left out of the squad as he continues to struggle with injuries but the former Corinthians manager handed a surprise call up to Wesley Moraes, who has hit the ground running in the Premier League since his big-money move to Aston Villa.
