Europe World Cup Qualifying Preview

Montenegro – Italy Montenegro have been solid in their first ever qualifying campaign as an independent nation, despite the fact that they have failed to win any of their first three matches. They have managed two draws and a defeat, to sit in fourth position in Group 8. The Balkan side are guided by none other than Red Star Belgrade’s legendary striker of the 1970s, Zoran Filipovic, who certainly possesses the experience to get the best football he can out of this side. He has a talented squad, with a good mix of youth and experience - the key to any successful international squad. With the likes of Roma’s Mirko Vucinic, Rapid midfield Branko Bošković, and Fiorentina’s young starlet Stevan Jovetic, the signs are promising for the immediate footballing future of this nation. They will need to attain at least a result from this contest against the world champions to ensure that they give themselves half a chance of qualifying for next year’s World Cup. They will be boosted by the fitness of their two first-choice centre-backs, Radoslav Batak and Jovan Tanasijević, for this clash, as both have been injured at various times over the past few months. As a result, expect to see them approach this match in a very attacking manner. They will go for the win in Podgorica, due to the defensive confidence that these two players will bring to the squad. The Montenegrins will be well aware of the large number of casualties that Italy are dealing with at present, so with this in mind, they will consider themselves a chance of grabbing their most impressive result in their short history. The Azzurri are coming off a disappointing defeat against Brazil two months ago, so in front of the Montenegrin home fans, anything could happen. Squad Montenegro: Possible Starting XI – (4-4-2): Poleksic; Basa, Tanasijevic, Batak, Pejovic; Vukcevic, Boskovic, Bozovic, Drincic; Jovetic, Djalovic. Squad Italy: Possible Starting XI – (4-3-2-1): Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; De Rossi, Pirlo, Palombo; Di Natale, Quagliarella; Iaquinta. PREDICTION It should be an interesting battle at the Stadion Pod Goricom this Saturday between two sides that will certainly fancy their chances of taking something away from the clash. Obviously the Italians are without several key players for the qualifier; however, they are the reigning world champions, meaning that they should be able to edge out strong competition from the new boys of world football. Iaquinta will do the damage for Italy on the night. Montenegro 1-2 Italy Germany – Liechtenstein Germany have a great chance to make up for losing their previous two games when they face the minnows of Liechtenstein on Saturday. Joachim Loew’s side lost to England in Berlin last November before going down to another shock defeat at the hands of Norway in February. Both those games were however friendlies, and as such didn’t have much bearing on their qualification fore the 2010 World Cup. Germany got off to a good start in their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, comfortably defeating Liechtenstein 6-0 in Vaduz. A brace from Lukas Podolski and goals from Simon Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger, and Heiko Westermann sealed defeat for the home side. A similar result this weekend would be just the tonic for the Euro 2008 runners-up and would set them up nicely for their trip to Cardiff to face Wales next week. Yet the Germans are not getting complacent ahead of the visit of the bottom team from Group 4 and co-trainer Hansi Flick doesn’t believe they should be thinking about the Wales clash before they take care of Liechtenstein. "I think every opponent earns the necessary respect and we have respect for Liechtenstein," Flick told a pre-match conference on Wednesday. "We will be thinking of Wales, but our first hurdle is in Leipzig against Liechtenstein and then after that game we will think of Wales. Our main aim is to play well in Wales and bring three points home to Germany." It is almost unthinkable that Germany could suffer another home defeat, and a convincing performance is what all involved with the ‘Nationalmannschaft’ will be demanding. Germany Probable Starting XI: Enke, Beck, Mertesacker, Westermann, Lahm, Hitzlsperger, Ballack, Jansen, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Gomez Liechtenstein Probable Starting XI: Jehle, Vogt, Martin Stocklasa, Michael Stocklasa, Oehri, Ritzberger, Ronny Buchel, Gerster, Rohrer, Frick, Beck PREDICTION Even with Liechtenstein at full-strength, Germany would cruise to victory. With a host of players absent for the visitors, Germany should have an even easier time of it. That said the away side will give it their all and make life tough for Joachim Loew’s side. Germany 6-0 Liechtenstein Malta – Denmark Bottom side Malta host top team Denmark on Saturday evening in a World Cup qualifier which on paper should be an easy win for the visitors. The Scandinavians have only played three games in Group 1, obtaining two wins and a draw so far as they stand joint in first place with Hungary, but with the latter team having played one extra game. However, following the draw against Albania, the Mediterranean side, backed by the home fans, should have enough motivation to try and offer a tough time to the visitors, as recent past results have proven. During the Euro qualifiers, Malta clinched an impressive 2-2 draw against highly rated Turkey, amongst other good results and performances. During these qualifiers they have struggled so far, but in a group where Hungary and Albania are ahead of Portugal and Sweden, anything is possible. Still, Denmark want to make up for failing to qualify for the past European Championship and a win here would send them three points clear of Hungary and more importantly five points above their most dangerous opponents: Portugal and Sweden. Malta Probable Formation (4-4-2): Haber, Muscat, Dimech, A. Agius, Bajada, G. Agius, Cohen, Briffa, Pace, Mifsud, Schembri Denmark Probable Formation (4-3-3): Sørensen, Jacobsen, Krøldrup, Agger, Rasmussen, Jensen, Poulsen, Jorgensen, Rommedahl, Kahlenberg, Bendtner PREDICTION Maybe it might not be as easy as it seems, but ultimately Denmark should be able to clinch the win and take home the three precious points on their path towards South Africa. Malta 0 – 2 Denmark Northern Ireland - Poland Northern Ireland host Poland at Windsor Park, level on points with their visitors yet having played a game more than Leo Beenhakker’s men. Wins against whipping boys San Marino home and away coupled with a creditable goalless draw against the Czech Republic have seen Nigel Worthington’s men claim seven points from their five games. Their only defeats thus far have come against Slovenia and Slovakia, and a win against Poland would see them, temporarily at least, top the group as current leaders Slovakia meet England in a friendly on Saturday. Certainly the Northern Irish boys should enter the game full of confidence after a resounding 3-0 win over San Marino last time out. That game followed a 2-0 friendly defeat to Hungary which left manager Worthington seething and calling on his players to improve their fitness after what he called an “embarrassing defeat”. Certainly his words appear to have had some effect with an emphatic victory in San Marino courtesy of goals by Gareth McAuley, Grant McCann and Chris Brunt. However, the win did come at something of a cost. Kyle Lafferty, Steve Davis and George McCartney all picked up bookings in that game which rule them out of Saturday’s match. It is not all doom and gloom however, as Worthington can welcome Manchester United’s Jonny Evans and Norwich City’s Sammy Clingan back into the fold as they aim for top spot. Northern Ireland Possible starting XI: Taylor, Hughes, McAuley, Evans, Baird, Johnson, McCann, Clingan, Brunt, Healy, Feeney. Poland Possible Starting XI: Boruc,Wojkowiak, Dudka, Zewlakow, Wasilewski, Blaszczykowski, Lewandowski, Bandrowski, Roger, Jelen, Smolarek. PREDICTION Injuries and suspensions have weakened the Northern Irish squad who will know that a defeat will leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Whilst the Poles have dropped points themselves they will be boosted by the return of Jakub Blaszczykowski and the form of Ireneusz Jelen. A win for the visitors could send them top and Beenhakker’s men may just have the experience and the extra quality to see them past their hosts. Northern Ireland 0-2 Poland