07/10/2010

Euro 2012 Qualification: 8/10/2010-12/10/2010 part 2

Here are the predictions and matches for groups F to I.

Group F
This has been one of the more interesting groups, with Georgia forcing unexpected draws. It also features Greece, who are always unpredictable, and Israel, who aren't in UEFA. With Malta, this is probably the most Mediterranean of the 9 groups.
8-9/10/10
Georgia (89) play Malta (150) and Greece (12) play Latvia (68) on the Friday, but for religious reasons Israel (36) play Croatia (11) on the Saturday. Georgia and Greece should win, but Israel-Croatia is worth paying attention to.
12/10/10
Latvia (68) play Georgia (89), and Greece (12) play Israel (36). With their recent performance Georgia could win, and Israel may hold Greece to a draw. Malta and Croatia play on November 17.

Group G
My favourite group, because it features my country England! It also includes Wales, Bulgaria – whose coach has resigned after they lost to Montenegro – and Switzerland. With their good wins in September, I expect England to easily win this group.
8/10/10 [England not playing]
Wales (84) play Bulgaria (54) and Montenegro (41) play Switzerland (21). Both games could go any way, although – and I hate to say this – Wales will probably lose.
12/10/10 [Bulgaria not playing]
Switzerland (21) play Wales (84) and England (6) play Montenegro (41). Switzerland and England are my predictions to win.

Group H
Iceland have done poorly in their games and are by far the worst team in the group, but Cyprus held Portugal to a 4-4 draw that makes things interesting. Denmark and Norway are the two Scandinavian teams. This is very much a Western Europe group.
8/10/10 [Iceland not playing]
Cyprus (43) play Norway (14), and Portugal (8) play Denmark (29). I honestly cannot say who will win, although I expect Portugal win if they can get over their draw.
12/10/10 [Norway not playing]
Denmark (29) play Cyprus (43), and Iceland (100) play Portugal (8). Cyprus might be able to beat Denmark, or it could go the other way. However, Portugal have a chance of an easy win against Iceland.

Group I
Poor old Scotland were demoted despite some reasonable football, to become the UK's third team. And now they have Spain to contend with. But with Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic and Lithuania this should still be an interesting group for them.
8/10/10 [Liechtenstein not playing]
The Czech Republic (37) play Scotland (47) and Spain (1) play Lithuania (42). While Spain should win, Scotland have a challenge I hope they will rise to and at least draw.
12/10/10 [Lithuania not playing]
Liechtenstein (149) play the Czech Republic (37), and Scotland (47) play Spain (1). I forsee a loss for Scotland, and a victory for the Czech Republic.

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