(All times UK)
European World Cup Qualifying Group D – Austria v
Wales – Thursday 1945
World rankings: Austria 26,
Wales 10
Qualifying results to date:
Austria 2-1 v Georgia, Wales 4-0 v Moldova
- Wales will surely find Austria a tougher proposition than Moldova,
who they comprehensively beat last time out. However, Wales have shown in
recent months that they need fear no-one.
European World Cup Qualifying Group D – Ireland v Georgia
– Thursday 1945
World rankings: Ireland 31,
Georgia 137
Qualifying results to date:
Ireland 2-2 v Serbia, Georgia 1-2 v Austria
·
Ireland claimed a creditable point in Serbia
last time out and will be hoping to bag three points here. However, their chances
are not helped by a lengthy injury list - Daryl
Murphy, Stephen Quinn, Keiren Westwood, Kevin Doyle, Aiden McGeady, Anthony
Pilkington, Marc Wilson and possibly Harry Arter will all miss the game.
European World Cup Qualifying Group G – Italy v Spain
– Thursday 1945
World rankings: Italy 13,
Spain 11
Qualifying results to date:
Italy 3-1 v Israel, Spain 8-0 v Liechtenstein
- This remains a heavyweight clash in anyone’s eyes, even though
neither side is perhaps at the peak of their powers right now. Perhaps a
score draw is on the cards?
European World Cup Qualifying Group C – Germany v
Czech Republic – Saturday 1945
World rankings: Germany 3,
Czech Republic 33
Qualifying results to date:
Germany 3-0 v Norway, Czech Republic 0-0 v N. Ireland
- Czech Republic certainly have their talented players, but the
world champions must be considered favourites to bag another win.
European World Cup Qualifying Group D – Northern
Ireland v San Marino – Saturday 1945
World rankings: N. Ireland 30,
San Marino 201
Qualifying results to date:
N. Ireland 0-0 v Czech Republic, San Marino 0-1 v Azerbaijan
- San Marino are likely to confront Northern Ireland with their
usual defensive ‘wall’, and maybe adopt a physical approach as well. But
after 90 minutes it’s hard to see any result other than a comfortable win
for the Irish.
European World Cup Qualifying Group F – England v
Malta – Saturday 1700
World rankings: England 12, Malta
176
Qualifying results to date:
England 1-0 v Slovakia, Malta 1-5 v Scotland
- So yet another new era starts for England, after Sam Allardyce was
ousted as manager after just one match after falling victim to a newspaper
sting operation. Gareth Southgate is caretaker manager for the next four
matches, and many will be thinking that his first match in charge is
another Iceland-type banana skin – a small European nation who will work
hard and make life awkward for England. In reality however, despite having
a similar population, Malta are way below Iceland in the world rankings.
Coupled with the fact that England have an excellent record in qualifying
for recent tournaments, this should definitely be a home win. Andros
Townsend has been recalled to the England squad, and Burnley defender
Michael Keane and Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard are called up for the
first time.
European World Cup Qualifying Group F – Scotland v
Lithuania – Saturday 1945
World rankings: Scotland 44, Lithuania
117
Qualifying results to date:
Scotland 5-1 v Malta, Lithuania 2-2 v Slovenia
- Scotland may not yet be able to regard themselves as a major
footballing nation once again, but after putting five past Malta last
time, this match represents a great opportunity to grab a second win. Alan
Hutton is injured, but otherwise Gordon Strachan has the same players
available as he did for the Malta thrashing.
European World Cup Qualifying Group D – Wales v
Georgia – Sunday 1700
World rankings: Wales 10,
Georgia 137
Qualifying results to date:
Wales 4-0, Georgia 1-2 v Austria
- Regardless of their result in Austria a few days earlier, Wales
will expect to win this one.
European World Cup Qualifying Group D – Moldova v
Ireland - Sunday 1945
World rankings: Moldova 161, Ireland
31
Qualifying results to date:
Moldova 0-4 v Wales, Ireland 2-2 v Serbia
- Ireland are the much stronger side on paper, but this could be a
banana skin match – a long trip to a remote East European nation who have
everything to gain and nothing to lose.
European World Cup Qualifying Group C – Germany v
Northern Ireland – Tuesday 1945
World rankings: Germany 3, N.
Ireland 30
Qualifying results to date:
Germany 3-0 v Norway, N. Ireland 0-0 v Czech Republic
- The two matches in this international double-header couldn’t be
more different for Northern Ireland. After a match against one of the
weakest nations in world football comes a trip to the world champions.
Germany may find the Irish defence hard to break down, but surely a German
win is still the most likely outcome. It is in this match that Northern
Ireland may miss the injured Craig Cathcart and Liam Boyce, as well as
Will Grigg, who is absent for personal reasons.
European World Cup Qualifying Group F – Slovakia v
Scotland – Tuesday 1945
World rankings: Slovakia 28,
Scotland 44
Qualifying results to date:
Slovakia 0-1 v England, Scotland 5-1 v Malta
- If Scotland can beat Lithuania and go into this match with six
points from six, their confidence and momentum could see them through this
encounter. Otherwise it represents a tough trip by any measure, and Gordon
Strachan’s side may be delighted to come away with a point.
European World Cup Qualifying Group F – Slovenia v
England – Tuesday 1945
World rankings: Slovenia 67, England
12
Qualifying results to date:
Slovenia 2-2 v Lithuania, England 1-0 v Slovakia
- England will need to be totally committed and focussed if they are
to win this one. However, provided they beat Malta three days earlier, a
draw may not be a disastrous result for England.
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