FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifying predictions ahead of tonight's action

Europe

Group H

England v San Marino: 6-0

You could put delete as appropriate in the England score-box for this game and six is simply the minimum expected against the worst team in the world. Double figures should genuinely be a consideration. It is a Wembley sell-out so England expects.

Moldova v Ukraine: 0-3

Ukraine seem our biggest threat and after their excellent Wembley performance you cannot see the minnows from Carpathia being any trouble for the team, even if manager Oleh Blokhin is missing due to blood clot surgery.

Group A

Serbia v Belgium: 2-1

There has been a lot of talk about the Belgium super generation, especially since they defeated their Dutch neighbours in the past couple of months. However as a national side they are still starting to click. Serbia clicked against Wales and will go into the game full of confidence, giving Belgium the wake-up call they need.

Wales v Scotland: 1-1

Typically British, this result will not help anyone. Scotland have been buoyed by the recent recall for Steven Fletcher but will he start, probably not. Welsh hopes are boosted by Gareth Bale passing a fitness test and when he clashes with Charlie Adam, that should make an interesting moment.

Group C

Republic of Ireland v Germany: 0-2

While I think the loss of Robbie Keane might be a good thing for a side over reliant on an over the hill striker there is surely no way Ireland can upset Die Mannschaaft, no matter how plucky they might feel.

Group D

Turkey v Romania: 3-1

Romania haven’t conceded a goal in this years qualifying and sit at the top of Group D. But the teams they have faced are not much kop, Andorra and Estonia hardly strike fear into the hearts of men. Turkey should be able to despatch of them, especially at home.

Group F

Russia v Portugal: 2-1

Portugal have some great players. Pepe, Moutinho and Ronaldo of course but Russia are imperious at home. Capello’s men will want to gain an early foothold on their Group with a win over their nearest rivals. There is controversy as to whether Alan Dzagoev will start following his violent conduct charge stemming from the Moscow derby with Dinamo at the end of September.

Group G

Greece v Bosnia-Herzegovina: 1-2

Bosnia have been threatening to qualify for a major tournament for a while now and this time they might actually do it. A win in Piraeus is a must against Group favourites and world number 10 Greece, but I am backing them to pick up the shock result in this tie.

Group I

Belarus v Spain: 0-2

This will be an interesting tie as the majority of the Belarusian side currently play for the Champions League’s surprise package BATE Borisov. That however won’t prevent them from a comfortable defeat at the hands of the two time European and current World Champions.

And the rest…

Argentina v Uruguay: 4-2

I am being hopeful for the only non-European game under scrutiny. These two are currently the FIFA Ranked best teams in South America but Argentina are on a strange run of form this year with wins against Ecuador and Paraguay tempered by a defeat to Brazil and a draw with Peru. Uruguay however have hit a blip, drawing with Ecuador and being spanked by Falcao’s Colombia. Going with the formbook.

Other teams that will win in tonight’s fixtures could include Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland, Albania. USA, Costa Rica, Lithuania, Canada, New Zealand, Guatemala, Mexico, Slovakia, Croatia, Netherlands, Switzerland, Slovenia, Denmark, Italy, Israel, Honduras and Hungary against their respective opposition and my pick for a shock win, Kazakhstan against Austria.

What are your predictions for tonight’s World Cup Qualifiers?

image: © jamesmooreno1