Gareth eyes a top draw
GARETH SOUTHGATE will be hoping English eyes are smiling in Dublin tomorrow when the draw is made for the Nations League semi-finals and Euro 2020 qualifying.
Southgate’s men reached the last four of the Nations League thanks to a stunning 2-1 defeat of Croatia at Wembley last month.
That earned them a semi-final place alongside hosts Portugal, Holland and Switzerland in June.
Winning the group also guaranteed the Three Lions a place among the top seeds in Pot 1 for qualifying for the first European Championships to be held across the continent.
That means they avoid Spain, Italy and world champions, France.
But it does not rule out a group clash with Germany, who have sunk like a stone since the 2016 European Championship.
Or Wales, who reached the last four in France four years ago before losing out to eventual winners Portugal.
England’s Euro 2016 nemesis,
Iceland, also lurk in Pot 2 and would relish the opportunity to turn up the heat on Southgate and bring back some painful memories.
After winning their Nations League group, Scotland have at least guaranteed themselves a play-off spot, should they fail to make it through their qualification campaign.
Alex Mcleish’s side find themselves in Pot 3, alongside Northern Ireland and the Republic. As many as 12 countries will host the finals in two years’ time.