8th September Matches - Preview

Group A
The first in the list won't actually be played. Azerbaijanis and Armenians don't get on. UEFA have already said that the game won't be played and a 0-0 draw has been decided.

Serbia and Finland are both on 14 points behind Poland - although Finland have played a game more. Poland don't have any easy game against Portugal. I doubt anything will be settled or even have one team pull away from the pack.

Predictions:

	Azerbaijan	0 - 0	Armenia
	Serbia	2 - 1	Finland
	Portugal	2 - 0	Poland

Group B
There are also some juicy games in Group B.

The stand out game for neutrals will be the tie between last year's World Cup finalists, Italy And France. As both teams are leading the group and there will be some tough games to go, it's pretty important for both teams to get full points.

Theoretically Scotland don't need to take 3 points to remain in the hunt for a qualifying birth seeing as the top two meet each other. However, they need to pull away from Ukraine and keep in touch with the second team in the group. The three points will offer a bit more reassurance. The only problem for the Scots is that they don't end up giving too much space at the back chasing the best result against Lithuania as Ukraine, themselves, are all but assured full points against Georgia.

Predictions:

	Georgia	0 -	3 Ukraine
	Scotland	2 -	0 Lithuania
	Italy	3 -	2 France

Group C
This isn't the glamorous group in the Euro 2008 qualifying round. There is, however, a great deal of tension. Obviously Greece and Turkey don't like each other but at least Norway always want to keep their noses clean (don't mention the war!).

Greece have pretty much got the group sown up. They don't play in the first game in September, but it gives Bosnia, Turkey and Norway an opportunity to close the gap to two points and go clear in second place.

Norway have the greatest chance of achieving this as they play last placed Moldova.

Hungary have disappointed this time round and it should give Bosnia some confidence and allow them to keep on the heels of Norway.

Malta shouldn't also offer much challenge to the chasing pack as they've only amassed four points so far. At the end of the day, the top four should be the same, the order may only change on goal difference.

Predictions:

	Moldova	0 - 3	Norway
	Hungary	1 - 2	Bosnia-Herzegovina
	Malta	0 - 2	Turkey

Group D
This is a group match is crucial to Wales in order for them to have any chance of qualifying. Playing Germany isn't particularly what they'd want to come back to from their summer break - but I'm sure the lads will be motivated. They may be with out the Welsh Wonder Kid Ryan, but I'm sure they'll give it a go. I don't think they'll win - but wouldn't it be great if they did!

The Czech Republic will win against San Marino and and allow them to take a firmer grip on the second spot. The Republic of Ireland are the team to pressure the Czechs but they'll still have to perform well against Slovakia who do make things difficult.

It still looks like Germany and the Czech Republic qualifying, but good luck to everyone else.

Predictions:

	San Marino	0 - 5	Czech Republic
	Wales	1 - 3	Germany
	Slovakia	2 - 2	Republic of Ireland

Group E
Not quite of crusade proportions, but the English will be looking to come away from the hallowed turf a step closer to the Holy Grail of a qualification place. I've got faith in the lads to take full points, but I expect it won't be a spectacle.

Russia and Macedonia face each other. Macedonia can't realistically qualify but we need them to take a point off the Russians. Whether they can do it, I'm not sure. But it's very important that they don't let the Russians secure second place in the group.

The annoying thing is that the group leaders, Croatia face Estonia who don't have a single point!

Predictions:

	England	1 - 0	Israel
	Russia	1 - 1	F.Y.R. Macedonia
	Croatia	3 - 0	Estonia

Group F
Sweden are group leaders with Spain and face Denmark who can still qualify. This is a pretty crucial game and could set the Swedes on their way to qualification.

Spain need a win against Iceland to keep give them the opportunity to also stay in the qualification position - and I can't see them not overcoming the Icelanders.

Northern Ireland should also have an easy game against Latvia so I don't see much chasing after this round.

	Sweden	2 - 1	Denmark
	Latvia	0 - 2	Northern Ireland
	Iceland	0 - 2	Spain

Group G
It's a three team tussle for qualification in Group G. I'm surprised Holland haven't done better but they're still in there in third place and face second placed Bulgaria. It doesn't take me to say how important this game will be. The winner will take that bit more comfort into the final games.

Group leaders, Romania face the "no pushovers" in Belarus. They should get full points, but it's not guaranteed.

The meeting of Luxembourg and Slovenia is a non-event, but its always a game for the locals and spread betters.

Prediction:

	Belarus	0 - 2	Romania
	Netherlands	2 - 1	Bulgaria
	Luxembourg	0 - 2	Slovenia