Finland - Georgia 1.91 - 4.91
Although the odds have gone down from 2.10 to 1.91 I still find the home win worth backing. I would have no problems backing Georgia at home to Finland, but that just about sums up international football. Home turf is mostly decisive.
Finland lost their last match 0-1 at home to France. They lacked the necessary quality to really threaten France, but I am pretty sure that the Finnish players will be facing this match in an entirely different, more confident mood. Only days after their loss against France an unchanged Finnish side defeated the Czech Republic in a friendly game away from home. Pukki scored their winning goal. Finland to win.
Finland lost their last match 0-1 at home to France. They lacked the necessary quality to really threaten France, but I am pretty sure that the Finnish players will be facing this match in an entirely different, more confident mood. Only days after their loss against France an unchanged Finnish side defeated the Czech Republic in a friendly game away from home. Pukki scored their winning goal. Finland to win.
Republic of Ireland - Germany 8.50 - 1.45
It is almost depressing to say it, but I do not think that the Irish will have any chance against the Germans. Eire probably played the worst football in the EURO tournament, and they did not impress at all in their first qualifying game either. How then ended up winning away to Kazakhstan is still a mystery. Second best for 90 minutes they managed two highly unlikely injury time goals. G Whelan, St Ledger and K Doyle, all in action vs. Kazakhstan will miss tomorrow’s game along with the Sunderland winger McClean. Now their leading striker Robbie Keane will not make it either.
Germany have to manage without their suspended defence man P Lahm. Hummels and L Bender are on their injury list, but both Goetze and Podolskis should be OK to play. B Schweinsteiger will be back playing from the start. Very likely away win for Germany against this much weakened Irish side.
Germany have to manage without their suspended defence man P Lahm. Hummels and L Bender are on their injury list, but both Goetze and Podolskis should be OK to play. B Schweinsteiger will be back playing from the start. Very likely away win for Germany against this much weakened Irish side.
Greece - Bosnia 2.25 - 3.75
Top of the table clash with the away side, Bosnia looking in devastating form. Twelve goals against Latvia and Lichtenstein tells its own story. Easy to shine against mediocre opponents? Quite possible and we will find out after the 90 minutes in Greece. Ibisevic has maintained his excellent scoring form. I noticed that the Bosnian striker scored a couple for his German club at the weekend and also Dzeko look really sharp. The Roma midfielder Pjanic will not play.
I would never underestimate this hard to beat Greek side. You want an offensive side like Bosnia to win their matches, but football is not only about attacking, it is also about being smart and Greece are one of the smartest sides around. The odds are probably correct. There are rarely over games when Greece are involved, but I like to think that this will be one of them.
I would never underestimate this hard to beat Greek side. You want an offensive side like Bosnia to win their matches, but football is not only about attacking, it is also about being smart and Greece are one of the smartest sides around. The odds are probably correct. There are rarely over games when Greece are involved, but I like to think that this will be one of them.
Switzerland - Norway 1.75 - 5.47
Earlier in the week there was 1.95 to be found on the home win. Switzerland are in a category of their own in their group, a very weak group, I must say. The Swiss have been lucky, no doubt about that, but make no mistake, the Swiss national team belongs to the most promising sides in Europe.
Two 2-0 wins for Switzerland, while Norway suffered a defeat away to Iceland, but, thanks to a last minute penalty, they managed to defeat Slovenia 2-1. I have said it before, this Norwegian side is not one of their vintage sides. All players are fit for the home side, but Norway will be without the injured B-H Riise and their striker Abdellaoue. Likely home winner.
Two 2-0 wins for Switzerland, while Norway suffered a defeat away to Iceland, but, thanks to a last minute penalty, they managed to defeat Slovenia 2-1. I have said it before, this Norwegian side is not one of their vintage sides. All players are fit for the home side, but Norway will be without the injured B-H Riise and their striker Abdellaoue. Likely home winner.
Albania - Iceland 2.30 - 3.69
Backing the home win. Great odds! Iceland away from home? Give me a break!
OK, Lagerbäck’s Iceland are definitely more organised than previous versions, but they will most likely play ultra defensive football tomorrow and it is not working these days. You will almost always get punished and not to forget, Albania are quite a force in their home fixtures. In their last home qualifier they defeated Cyprus 3-1. Cani and Bogdani scored their last two goals entering the game as second half substitutes.
Iceland will once again have to manage without their injured striker Sightorsson. Add the suspended Ottesen and the injured forward Thorvaldsson. Albania will get my backing.
OK, Lagerbäck’s Iceland are definitely more organised than previous versions, but they will most likely play ultra defensive football tomorrow and it is not working these days. You will almost always get punished and not to forget, Albania are quite a force in their home fixtures. In their last home qualifier they defeated Cyprus 3-1. Cani and Bogdani scored their last two goals entering the game as second half substitutes.
Iceland will once again have to manage without their injured striker Sightorsson. Add the suspended Ottesen and the injured forward Thorvaldsson. Albania will get my backing.
Serbia - Belgium 2.66 - 2.90
These days you will find the big stars in the Serbia defence, while their offensive line is more anonymous, or lacking the big profiles. I did not say that they look poor in their front line. It would be saying too much after their most recent 6-1 win against Wales.
Belgium, the talented Belgians, so often underperforming and underachieving. Quite frankly they have not been able to live up to expectations, not this far. I just love Chadli and Hazard, two of their likely starters upfront. Chadli, the Twente forward, is my latest favourite. Both Fellaini and Lukaku will miss this qualifier and Kompany and A Witsel are considered injury doubts. I expect at least Kompany to play. Best odds on the draw (3.28).
Belgium, the talented Belgians, so often underperforming and underachieving. Quite frankly they have not been able to live up to expectations, not this far. I just love Chadli and Hazard, two of their likely starters upfront. Chadli, the Twente forward, is my latest favourite. Both Fellaini and Lukaku will miss this qualifier and Kompany and A Witsel are considered injury doubts. I expect at least Kompany to play. Best odds on the draw (3.28).
Macedonia - Croatia 5.50 - 1.80
A little more than a month ago Croatia won their home game against Macedonia 1-0. So maybe the home win is slightly overpriced this time? Not necessarily. Croatian aces like Jelavic, Mandzukic and L Modric are in much better form at this moment and it will be tough for the home side handling the Croatian offence. Yes, and Macedonia have to make their own offensive efforts this time in front of their own people and they will always be in danger of being punished. I would settle for the away win, but the odds will not do.
Wales - Scotland 2.87 - 2.70
The Welsh are definitely playing for their existence. 1-8 after two qualifying games they must win this match, or they can forget about Brazil. OK, I know, they know, they will not be going to Brazil 2014, but it is about keeping their dream alive. No C Bellamy and that is a disaster for Wales, but G Bale and A Ramsey will play. Joe Ledley is available again.
D Fletcher, the Man United midfielder, and S Fletcher will finally play for Scotland again. That is great news for the Scottish, because the Sunderland striker S Fletcher is one of the hottest on the island at the moment. S Naismith, J Rhodes, G Hanley and R Snodgrass will miss this fixture, but S Brown hopes to play and K Commons has been recalled. X2 game.
D Fletcher, the Man United midfielder, and S Fletcher will finally play for Scotland again. That is great news for the Scottish, because the Sunderland striker S Fletcher is one of the hottest on the island at the moment. S Naismith, J Rhodes, G Hanley and R Snodgrass will miss this fixture, but S Brown hopes to play and K Commons has been recalled. X2 game.
Russia - Portugal 2.87 - 2.80
Both teams on maximum points, but Russia have been the impressive side. Portugal have just gone through the motions against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg and I am perfectly aware that we will see a stronger more determined Portugese side in this match. Still Capello’s Russia seem to be in great form winning 4-0 away to Israel just like that. Russia are always at their best in qualifying games and then something weird usually takes place in the actual tournaments.
Pepe and Ronaldo are major doubts for Portugal. It looks worse for Pepe, but Ronaldo, he is like Messi, they are always playing. A shoulder problem may harm him, but he is sure to line up. Capello will probably lead Russia to a win tomorrow. Talk about a winning coach. Backing the home win.
Pepe and Ronaldo are major doubts for Portugal. It looks worse for Pepe, but Ronaldo, he is like Messi, they are always playing. A shoulder problem may harm him, but he is sure to line up. Capello will probably lead Russia to a win tomorrow. Talk about a winning coach. Backing the home win.
Bulgaria - Denmark 3.00 - 2.61
This new winning Bulgarian side up against one my favourite teams in the EURO tournament. My choice will be the away win. I say winning side about Bulgaria, because I regard their 2-2 draw with Italy like a winning result and they followed up this positive result by defeating Armenia 1-0. This will be their third home fixture on the bounce. Why it is like that, I cannot say. Bulgaria lack true strikers. Berbatov remains outside the national side and could be that their offensive midfielder Popov will start upfront. Minev, Gargorov and Dyakov, all starters against Italy, will this match along with Zanev and Sarnov.
Bendtner will be back for Denmark. He was suspended when they played out a 0-0 draw at home to the Czechs. I have not seen any football from Bendtner this season and surely, he will not be in top shape for this match. It is an open question, who will start? Bendtner or A Cornelius. The left back position is also undecided. Denmark, my favourite Scandinavian side, will get my vote, with or without Bendtner.
Bendtner will be back for Denmark. He was suspended when they played out a 0-0 draw at home to the Czechs. I have not seen any football from Bendtner this season and surely, he will not be in top shape for this match. It is an open question, who will start? Bendtner or A Cornelius. The left back position is also undecided. Denmark, my favourite Scandinavian side, will get my vote, with or without Bendtner.
Turkey - Romania 1.75 - 5.50
I guess that Turkey ought to win this game, but I do not know if I am prepared to actually back this 1.75 on the home win. Sahin, Alda Turan, H Altintop, they will all play on the Turkish midfield and upfront we will find Burak or Bulut.
Torje and Stancu, there you have two Romanian offensive talents, while I am not so sure about the status of Mutu and Marica. They have not played much this season, although I have noticed that Mutu has just played a couple of games for his new club Ajaccio. Home win, I guess.
Torje and Stancu, there you have two Romanian offensive talents, while I am not so sure about the status of Mutu and Marica. They have not played much this season, although I have noticed that Mutu has just played a couple of games for his new club Ajaccio. Home win, I guess.
Estonia - Hungary 3.48 - 2.38
I will give Hungary a new chance. It was a poor decision to suggest that they would be able to defeat Holland in their last qualifying game, but at least the over suggestion in that match was spot on. Hungary are better than Estonia, or should I say, they have a superior potential, and without a doubt also the stronger individuals. Historically Hungary have been poor travellers, but it is about to change, or that is at least what I think.
Estonia have faced Romania and Turkey and they are 0-5 after two games. The rather important Jääger will be suspended for this match. Zoltan Gera and his Hungary will get my support.
Estonia have faced Romania and Turkey and they are 0-5 after two games. The rather important Jääger will be suspended for this match. Zoltan Gera and his Hungary will get my support.
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