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Monday's World Cup qualifying preview: Netherlands host France, Portugal go to Faroes

Wesley Sneijder of Netherlands celebrates
Image: Netherlands will be without Wesley Sneijder (No 10) on Monday

France travel to the Netherlands in World Cup qualifying on Monday with both sides looking to continue their unbeaten start.

France recovered from a 0-0 draw against Belarus by beating Bulgaria 4-1 on Friday, while the Netherlands beat Belarus 4-1 themselves having started Group A with a 1-1 draw in Sweden.

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Netherlands captain Wesley Sneijder has been ruled out the France clash, having hobbled off at half-time against Belarus.

Sneijder had hoped to recover in time for the meeting with the Euro 2016 runners-up at the Amsterdam Arena, though manager Danny Blind had anticipated his absence and called up Feyenoord's Tonny Vilhenna as cover on Saturday.

France's forward Dimitri Payet celebrates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying football match France vs Bulgaria on October 7, 2016  at
Image: France host Netherlands in World Cup qualifying

France manager Didier Deschamps criticised Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba after the win over Bulgaria, saying he "can do better" as they go into their toughest match of the campaign so far.

"I don't like evaluating one player individually," Deschamps told reporters after the game. "[Pogba] alternated between good things and less good things.

"Paul can and must do better. He knows that."

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Cristiano Ronaldo  celebrates with Jose Fonte
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo scored four times against Andorra

Elsewhere in Group A, Sweden, also on four points from their two games, host Bulgaria and Belarus host Luxembourg with both looking for their first victory. Both games are live on Sky Sports.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal go to the Faroe Islands in Group B, live on Sky Sports, fresh from their 6-0 win at home against Andorra on Friday.

They have three points from their first two games and are looking to catch up with leaders Switzerland, who have six points and travel to Andorra. 

Elsewhere in Group B, Latvia host struggling Hungary in Riga, with the hosts looking for their second win in three games.

Belgium's Eden Hazard (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Fifa WC 2018 football qualification match between Belgium and Bosnia and Herze
Image: Belgium are looking for a third win in three group games

Roberto Martinez's Belgium will fancy themselves to make it three wins out of three as they go to Gibraltar, live on Sky Sports, while Greece, who also have two wins out of two, travel to Estonia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have three points, host Cyprus in Zenica.

Find out where you can watch Monday's World Cup Qualifiers live on Sky Sports HERE

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