8 Must-Watch Games Over the International Break

It's that time again. After another pulsating month of club football action, players from around the world have jetted off to join up with their nations to take part in the latest round of international fixtures.

The idea of more football should - on paper - be quite appealing to fans, especially as most countries will be playing three games (again) as opposed to the more traditional two. But this isn't the case this time around, for a number of reasons. But this isn't to say that there aren't any games to look forward to, in fact there are a whole host of intriguing clashes to keep us ticking over until club football returns.

Here are eight must-watch games from the latest international break....

1. Netherlands vs Spain (11/11 - 19:45)

Kicking things off is the Netherlands against Spain, with the pair going head to head on Wednesday in a friendly clash.

With two pivotal games in the Nations League to come after this game, boss Frank de Boer (remember him, Crystal Palace fans?) will look to utilise the clash with Spain as a chance to build confidence levels with a bright display.

For Spain, the friendly represents an opportunity for a number of fringe players to take their chance and make a claim to start in their two crucial Nations League fixtures.

2. England vs Republic of Ireland (12/11 - 20:00)

Sure, it may be just a 'friendly', but there are a number of intriguing subplots to watch out for in this clash.

Both nations come into Thursday's game looking to prove a point, having both fallen to defeat in their last match. England picked up an excellent victory over Belgium during the last round of international fixtures, before then falling to a simply woeful defeat at home to Denmark.

Gareth Southgate's team selection has been criticised recently, and he will look to use the clash with Ireland to once again try and find the balance he is desperately searching for within his team.

As for Stephen Kenny's men, while results haven't exactly been spectacular, there are signs of real progression and they will be desperate to come away with a positive result on Thursday.

3. Portugal vs France (14/11 - 19:45)

Yes, yes, yes, we know the last meeting between these two finished 0-0, but there is much more at stake in the upcoming fixture. Both nations come into Saturday's Nations League game sat on ten points after four games, meaning a winner from this match would open up a three-point lead going into matchday six.

France hold the upper hand when it comes to competitive meetings, winning three and drawing one from five encounters. So what about the one defeat? Oh, that just happens to be the extra-time loss in the final of the 2016 European Championship.

The world champions taking on the European champions, with three valuable points up for grabs, what more could we want?

4. Belgium vs England (15/11 - 19:45)

After England overcame the number one ranked nation in the world in impressive fashion during the last round of Nations League games, many saw it as the perfect opportunity for Southgate's men to kick on and really assert their control on the group.

This didn't happen, however.

Instead, they fell to a miserable defeat to Denmark. Belgium, meanwhile, bounced back in perfect fashion, battling their way past Iceland to top the group once more.

The Three Lions now find themselves sat in third place and face a trip to take on the lethal Red Devils once more. The Belgians have played just one game at home in League A Group 2 so far, putting five past Iceland.

With both sides looking to prove a point, we can expect a hotly contested encounter with plenty of quality on display.

5. Spain vs Germany (17/11 - 19:45)

Well, League A Group 4 sure is shaping up nicely for the neutral, isn't it?

Spain currently lead the way on seven points, while Germany and Ukraine are on six points, and although Switzerland only have two points to their name they will still pose a major threat.

Two of the great footballing nations in Spain and Germany have shown flashes of brilliance in this Nations League group, but have also been shaky at points. In fact, Spain fell to a shock 1-0 defeat away to Ukraine last time out, despite the hosts managing just the one shot on target.

Germany haven't exactly been much better either, as they were made to fight back against Switzerland in their last match.

But there is undoubted quality within both nations' squads and with two different styles of play on offer as well, it promises to be a fascinating contest.

6. Croatia vs Portugal (17/11 - 19:45)

You have to feel for Croatia and Sweden, who have had to deal with having not only the world champions in their group, but also the European champions. As a result, Croatia find themselves sat on three points after four games in Group A3.

Portugal were extremely convincing the last time these two nations met, running out 4-1 winners. Oh, and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo didn't even feature in that game....

With this being the sixth group game, there will be plenty riding on the result for Portugal - especially as they face a tough test against France prior to this match.

7. Uruguay vs Brazil (17/11 - 23:00)

Moving away from European football and the Nations League for the moment, Uruguay take on Brazil in a World Cup qualifier on 17 November. Be warned, however, it is a late kick-off.

Brazil come into the game top of the group, with two wins from two. In these matches, they have scored nine times and conceded just twice.

Uruguay, meanwhile, sit in sixth place, having won one and lost one. They fell to a 4-2 defeat last time out against Ecuador, with Luis Suarez grabbing both goals for his nation on that occasion.

Two outstanding footballing nations with plenty of quality on display, this is definitely worth staying up for.

8. Poland vs Netherlands (18/11 - 19:45)

The Netherlands really have been struggling to find the net in more recent times, but they will need this to change quickly. After facing Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, they travel to face Poland in what could be a pivotal fixture.

Two goals in four group games is a worrying return for the Oranje. In fact, Robert Lewandowski has the same number of goals, even though he has featured just twice for Poland in the Nations League group stages thus far.

But the Netherlands have the opportunity to put things right against Bosnia and Poland - who currently top the group. De Boer's men will be looking to step up and deliver.

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