Top 5 upcoming international friendlies

All the club action will come to a halt as international friendlies and European qualifiers recommence this week. Unlike any other international football week, the upcoming one promises to be one of the most tantalizing in recent times, with several high-profile clashes lined up.Many of Europe’s and South America’s heavyweights will be seen in action, there is one match which shall provide an opportunity for a team to extract revenge for injustice suffered at the World Cup, one match pitting past champions against current champions, and one pitting the two best players in the world against each other.Without beating around the bush any longer, let us skim through the top 5 intriguing fixtures scheduled for the next fortnight.

#1 France vs Sweden

Les Blues will resume their preparations for the Euro cup on home soil as they host their European counterparts Sweden, in Marseille.

The last time the two sides tussled, the encounter had more significance as it was in the group stages of Euro 2012 where Sweden emerged 2-0 victors. However, a repeat of that feat seems unlikely now as Didier Deschamps' men are in sublime form and have been defeated on only 1 occassion since the turn of the year.

The “Blagaut” will be aggrandized by the return of their talismanic captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who completes his recuperation from an injury that ruled him out of action for over a month.

Venue: Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France.

Date: 19th November

Time: 01:30 am(IST)

#2 Netherlands vs Mexico

In this rematch of the Round of 16 fixture of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Mexico boss Miguel Herrera has a shot at revenge when his swashbuckling squad travel to Amsterdam to take on an erratic Dutch outfit, who have lost 3 of their last 4 matches post the Brazil World Cup.

Guus Hiddink has taken over the mantle from the Manchester United bound Louis Van Gaal since the footballing mega-event drew to a close. The 67-year old will be patrolling the dugout until 2016, however, his reign at the helm will be brought under the scanner if his side fails to rack-up a favourable result.

Venue: Amsterdam Arena.

Date: 12th November

Time: 01:00 am (IST).

#3 Spain vs Germany

The dethroned champions clashing against the newly crowned champions, this billion-dollar grudge match between the European heavyweights is sure to grab wide-eyed attention from all around the world.

The two sides have locked horns in several epochal occasions in the past, most notably, the Euro 2008 finals and the semi-finals of the 2010 edition of the World Cup.

4 years have passed since their last meeting, however, and considering the metamorphosis the European behemoths have undergone, this fixture is still inclined to be an enticing one, albiet with much less at stake.

Venue: Balaidos, Vigo, Spain.

Date: 19th November

Time: 01:15 am (IST)

#4 Chile vs Uruguay

An all Latin-American affair, both Uruguay and Chile will resume their preparations for the 2015 Copa America tournament in Chile.

Both the teams endured a middling time at the 2014 Brazil showpiece, settling for a pre-quarter finish. However, both the teams have recovered from the World Cup disappointments and are unbeaten since then.

Venue: Estadio Monumental,Santiago, Chile.

Date: 19th November

Time: 01:30 am (IST)

#5 Portugal vs Argentina

Perhaps the most gripping fixture lined-up, this match holds special signifance compared to the other matches. Not only will Messi and Ronaldo resuscitate their rivalry at an international platform, it is also Ronaldo's return to his former home Old Trafford. There is thus a huge stir surrounding this match.

Gerardo Martino succeeded Alejandro Sabella as the Argentine coach four months ago and the former Barcelona chief has been convincing, thus far whereas his Portuguese counterpart, Fernando Santos, will be seen on the touchline in only his second game in charge of the Selecao.

Venue:Old Trafford, Manchester, England.

Date: 19th November

Time: 01:15 am (IST)