Southgate’s team face three trips to the Balkan states as well as matches against the Czech Republic Stephen McCarthy/GettyEngland avoided any tricky opponents in the draw for Euro 2020 qualifying, leaving Gareth Southgate’s team looking strong favourites to make the finals. England were the first team drawn out of the hat in the draw in Dublin and are in a Balkan-flavoured Group A along with the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo, who are making their first appearance in a qualifying competition for a major tournament. Should the unthinkable happen and England fail to qualify then there will be another chance for Southgate’s side to reach the finals, via the playoffs after winning their Nations League group. Ireland escaped being drawn in the tough-looking Group , where Germany and Holland reside, as there were already two host nations in that group. Instead, Ireland went…

Source: The Times December 02, 2018 12:00 UTC