Czech Republic and Poland start their Euro 2024 qualifying campaigns when they meet in Prague on Friday.

As the two standout favourites in Group E, both nations will expect to secure automatic qualification for the finals.

Players to watch: Czech Republic will lean heavily on the experience of Tomáš Souček, who has earned more caps (56) than any of his fellow squad members and only lost one international in which he scored (W5, D1). Record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski netted Poland’s last two goals, both coming after the 80th minute.

Hot stat: Six of Czech Republic’s last seven ECQ games produced exactly three goals (W5, L2).

Czech Republic form (all competitions):

LLLLWL

Poland form (all competitions):

WWDWLL

Czech Republic possible starting lineup:

Pavlenka; Coufal, Holes, Brabec, Jemelka; Soucek, Kral, Barak; Cerny, Schick, Hlozek

Poland possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Cash, Kiwior, Bednarek, Frankowski; Kaminski, Zielinski, S Szymanski, Linetty, Zalewski; Lewandowski

Czech Republic 1-1 Poland

With star talent in both attacks, that should be where the game is won, but Santos’s appointment as Poland boss should see them remain strong defensively.

A draw would not be a bad result for either side, as long as they can beat the other three weaker nations in their group.