Saturday's European Championship qualifying predictions including Italy vs. Malta

Ukraine vs. N. Macedonia (Saturday, 2.00pm)

Two nations neck-and-neck in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C renew hostilities at Stadion Letna in the Czech Republic on Saturday, as Ukraine pit their wits against North Macedonia.

Sergiy Rebrov's men fell just short in a 2-1 loss to reigning champions Italy last time out, while their visitors strolled past whipping boys Malta 2-0.

We say: Ukraine 2-1 North Macedonia

The withdrawals of key attackers Yarmolenko and Tsygankov was not on Rebrov's bingo card for October's crucial fixtures, but Mudryk and Ruslan Malinovskyi represent competent alternatives for a side who gave runaway leaders England a good run for their money last month.

Revenge will be on the minds of North Macedonia following June's late collapse, but we still have faith in Ukraine to come up trumps in a tight contest and open up a healthy lead over the Lynxes in Group C.

N. Ireland vs. San Marino (Saturday, 2.00pm)

Seeking just their second win of a dismal Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Northern Ireland welcome San Marino to Windsor Park on Saturday.

Facing the only nation below them in the Group H standings, Michael O'Neill's men are already out of contention for a place at next year's finals, having lost five of six games so far.

We say: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

Without a victory for nearly two decades, San Marino's winless run stands at 132 matches ahead of their trip to Windsor Park, where they are set to be dealt a seventh straight defeat in Group H. Northern Ireland often struggle to score, but home advantage and a relative lack of pressure should help them comfortably see off one of football's smallest minnows.

Bulgaria vs. Lithuania (Saturday, 5.00pm)

The two bottom sides in Group G will meet on Friday evening when Bulgaria host Lithuania at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, with both teams searching for their first win in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Neither team can qualify for the main tournament - which will be held in Germany next summer - but Friday's encounter is realistically their last chance to get their first win after five consecutive winless games.

We say: Bulgaria 2-1 Lithuania

Two teams that struggle to penetrate their opponents in the final third will have a chance to play each other for a long-awaited victory.

Lithuania have failed to score in any of their away games in qualifying for Euro 2024, so a win against an equally struggling Bulgarian side could still be too much to ask.

Slovenia vs. Finland (Saturday, 5.00pm)

With the outcome of Group H still very much in the balance, Slovenia and Finland play out a crucial Euro 2024 qualifying clash at Stadion Stozice on Saturday.

The top four nations are separated by just one point heading into this month's fixtures, and the Slovenians sit at the summit after six matches.

We say: Slovenia 1-1 Finland

With so much on the line, neither side is set to go all-guns-blazing on Saturday evening, when one point apiece would represent a decent result for either. Slovenia seem to have the tougher run-in, but even a draw should keep their destiny in their own hands, as Denmark or Kazakhstan play each other and at least one must drop points.

Italy vs. Malta (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Seeking back-to-back victories to cut the gap to Group C leaders England down to three points, Italy welcome already-eliminated Malta to the Stadio San Nicola in Bari on Saturday.

The Azzurri triumphed 2-1 over Ukraine in their most recent Euro 2024 qualifying encounter, while their cellar-dwelling visitors were comfortably put to the sword by North Macedonia in a 2-0 beating.

We say: Italy 4-0 Malta

Even with one eye on the impending trip to Wembley and a ravaged, Immobile-less attack, Italy should not run into many obstacles en route to a comfortable victory at the Stadio San Nicola.

The absence Teuma in particular will hamper Malta's chances of breaking their 30-year goalless streak against the reigning European champions, and a sixth defeat from six surely awaits the Reds, as Italy send out a early warning to England ahead of next week's highly-anticipated battle.

> How Italy could line up against Malta

Hungary vs. Serbia (Saturday, 7.45pm)

The qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 is entering an exciting phase as the top two of Group G go head to head on Friday night, with Hungary taking on Serbia at Puskas Arena - a match that could potentially decide who wins the group.

Both teams go into the match level on points, but Hungary have a big advantage with one game less played than Serbia, therefore even a defeat would not be a disaster for Marco Rossi's team.

We say: Hungary 2-1 Serbia

Both teams are full of attacking talent, which makes the game an exciting encounter.

Serbia look more vulnerable defensively, as the games against Bulgaria and Lithuania showed. Therefore, it is hard to imagine that Stojkovic's eleven will be able to keep such a highly talented team as Hungary at bay for the entire 90 minutes.

Denmark vs. Kazakhstan (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Denmark and Kazakhstan square off in Copenhagen on Saturday looking to gain what may prove to be a decisive victory in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.

The top four teams in Group H are separated by just the one point - as are Denmark and Kazakhstan - and this could be one of the most important fixtures remaining of their respective campaigns.

We say: Denmark 2-0 Kazakhstan

Given the unpredictability of this group, there is a feeling that anything can happen in this fixture. Kazakhstan have won twice on their travels, yet they have not faced anyone of Denmark's quality and they could come up short on this occasion.