Home Nations Gear Up for Final Euro Qualifiers
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October 7, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic are all in action tonight as the Euro 2012 Qualifiers wind down.
England have all but guaranteed top spot in Group G, standing six points ahead of their opponents Montenegro with one game remaining. Montenegro have two fixtures left to play, but given England’s goal difference of +10 over the Balkan nation, it will take one hell of a goal swing to force Fabio Capello’s men in to a qualification play-off.
There has been some speculation surrounding Wayne Rooney this week following the arrest of his father and uncle due to alleged betting irregularities surrounding a Scottish Premier League match. But Capello expects him to play and to give his usual full-blooded approach to the cause.
More interesting is who will appear in defence. Gary Cahill is expected to continue alongside captain John Terry at centre half, but the right-back spot is causing some debate, with Manchester United’s new defender Phil Jones touted to benefit from his strong start at the club by being given his international debut in Podgorica.
Tottenham’s Kyle Walker could also be in contention following his good start to the season, including a long-range winner in the north London derby with Arsenal last week, but Capello is yet to really reveal his hand.
“One of those players will play tomorrow and I have confidence in them,” he said.
Wales also have two fixtures remaining in Group G and after victory over Montenegro last month and a positive performance in their 1-0 loss to England they will be confident of adding more points to the three they have against Switzerland tonight and Bulgaria next week.
They will be missing influential midfielders Jack Collison and Andy King with knee and back problems respectively when they take on the Swiss and they may not recover in time for Tuesday’s match in Sofia either. Joe Ledley (thigh), James Collins (knee) and Danny Collins (groin) are already ruled out of both matches.
Scotland take on Liechtenstein this evening knowing that a win coupled with a Spanish victory over the Czech Republic will put them in second place. They would then have to match the Czech’s result against Lithuania when they play Spain on Tuesday to make the play-offs.
They needed a 97th minute winner in the home match against the country with a population of just 36,000 but travel in good spirits as Darren Fletcher and Kenny Miller could play despite struggling with injury.
Northern Ireland could also sneak in to the play-offs if they win their final two qualifiers and Estonia, Serbia and Slovenia drop points.
They travel to Tallinn tonight to take on Estonia with yet another player blow fresh in their minds after Newcastle United youngster Shane Ferguson refused to return manager Nigel Worthington’s calls as he ponders whether to play for them or the Republic.
“It beggars belief that there’s no willingness or manners,” said Worthington, before adding: “We can’t literally drag people in.”
Responding on Twitter, Ferguson said there were “two sides to every story”.
Pat McCourt and Kyle Lafferty are expected to return for their country in what will be a huge boost to the side.
The Republic take on Andorra tonight in second place in Group B knowing that two wins from their remaining fixtures coupled with a defeat for Russia against Slovakia tonight or Andorra on Tuesday will see them top the group.
With both Armenia and Slovakia just one point behind them they know that they cannot afford slip ups or they risk missing out on even the play-offs, making tonight’s action full of excitement and tension.
By Leigh Gruffydd Sanders
[Image courtesy of Sabir101010]
