Euro 2012 Qualifiers, 7-10-2011 – Final touches
By David, BettingExpert.com | Published
England are called to make sure of their first place in Group G by disposing of a determined Montenegro still dreaming of qualification albeit it would most probably have to be via the playoffs route. Italy will be taking it very lightly having already attained qualification whilst France cannot afford any slip up ahead of their all important face off with Group D first spot hopefuls Bosnia and Herzegovina next week.
Montenegro – England
These are the kind of games preferred by defensive-minded Capello. The Three Lions need just one point to make sure of automatic qualification to Euro 2012 and you can bet on him lining up his team with the intent of keeping possession and counter attacking quickly when the occasion presents itself. There should be no rush to England’s game and although that may be difficult to impose on their mentality the Italian manager will at least demand that most of the midfielders stay behind the ball and that wingers attack in alternating fashion.
The quality is there for England to be able to dictate the pace and rhythm of the game. Montenegro will put a lot of heart in it as they try to battle their way back up and secure a place in the playoffs.
It was already hard enough for them to have to compete with the powerful English side for the top spot in the group. They were doing quite well though until they drew against Bulgaria and lost in Wales. That took away five points from their attempt at aiming high enough trailing England by six and making their game in hand with respect to Capello’s team useless, just like the great result they had managed to record at Wembley almost a year ago.
That was the reason for the appointment of new manager Brnovic. His task is to motivate this team quickly enough in order not to waste what good has been done so far in this impressive qualifying campaign.
Verdict: 2
England will have all the time they need to orchestrate play and enjoying a very favourable position, allowing them to afford a point and still get what they want, their patient approach should finally break Montenegro as the hosts contemplate whether a draw would be an equally good result for them.
Serbia – Italy
Players are dropping like flies for coach Prandelli who has already seen Criscito, Balotelli and Pazzini travel back to their respective clubs after being diagnosed with injuries that will prevent their utilization in the upcoming games against Serbia and Northern Ireland. Torino defender Ogbonna and Roma striker Osvaldo have already been called up in replacement.
Giuseppe Rossi and Balzaretti also suffered knocks but the Villareal striker has travelled to Serbia nonetheless and should be lining up in attack alongside Cassano. Balzaretti, on the other hand, is still under medical care with efforts aimed at having him ready for next week’s home match against Northern Ireland and what should be just a formality to end the campaign.
Serbia can and should take full advantage of the situation. Having lost their last meeting with the Italians, after the game was forfeited due to crowd trouble caused by Serbia ultras, this will be a chance for the fans to redeem themselves. After the embarrassing display in front of the attentive eyes of Europe journalists in Serbia have been preaching good behaviour. None of the trouble makers will be allowed in the stadium this time and everyone will be hoping for a well behaved displays, even more so than for a good result.
Back to football though, Serbia do need to take anything they can from this game. Beating Italy will not be an easy task but motivations in the Azzurri camp are low. Estonia and Slovenia, on 13 and 11 points respectively, will be cheering for the Italians as they still hold slim hopes of overtaking Serbia in the Group C table and take their place in the playoffs. They both have played one game more than the Serbians though. Yet defeat in this match will mean that both of the contenders come into play. Estonia will be travelling to Northern Ireland for their final match this Friday whilst Slovenia will host Serbia next week.
Verdict: Serbia 0:0
Although this looks like a prohibitive encounter Serbia coach Petrovic is well aware of the importance of not giving hopes to their rivals for second place. If they fail to win here they may travel to Slovenia in danger of ending their campaign in fourth place. Not even a draw will do for the sake of reaching the playoffs if Estonia impose themselves in Northern Ireland.
France – Albania
Les Bleus are two games away from seeing their qualification campaign to Euro 2012 come to an end. They are in front in Group D but the race is not over yet since they hold just one point of advantage over second-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina, which they play next week.
That should be a complicated match although they face off on French soil. In Bosnia and Herzegovina they have already won 0-2 but Laurent Blanc is taking nothing for granted. He knows that their rivals for the number one spot in the group will unlikely slip up on Friday at home against bottom dwellers Luxembourg. That means that France have to regard the upcoming match against Albania as their most important. If they were to be held whilst Bosnia and Herzegovina take three points the ball would be in their rivals’ feet from then on. That would mean a lot of pressure on the players for the 11th of October game even if they host Bosnia and Herzegovina in front of an eager French crowd next week.
Ironically, fifth-placed Albania which have just eight points in the group, have done better than Bosnia and Herzegovina in their home game with the French. They still lost 1-2 though. Domestic leagues around Europe were just restarting back in September though and it may all have been explained by a general lack of sharpness.
Verdict: France -1
Blanc will not be risking anything in what might look like a game with a forgone conclusion. His ability to keep his troops focused will guarantee that they close this one in their favour before hosting a fired up Bosnia and Herzegovina very much eager to land a massive surprise and dethrone the French.
07.10.2011, 14:08 CET
France stars Benzema and Ribery and Blez Mathuedi is injured for match - Goal cappability will be drop drastic !
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06.10.2011, 11:08 CET
After the troubles in the Italy vs Serbia match, which was forfeit and given as a victory to Italy, Italian fans were not allowed to travel for this match.
The Serbian crowd should make themselves heard at the Marakana on Friday.