All articles by: Jools Jordan-Probert

WC Qualifiers – Portugal vs Switzerland – Match Preview

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Portugal vs Switzerland – Match Preview – Group B reaches its nail-biting climax as leaders Switzerland travel to European Champions Portugal in a winner takes all clash in the race for Russia 2018.

This game is the definition of all to play for, La Nati have won every single one of their matches so far – including a 2-0 victory over Portugal in the reverse fixture – and lead the Selecao by three points entering the final matchday, albeit with a worse goal difference.

The permutations are as follows; a draw will see Vladimir Petkovic’s side qualify automatically as Group winners and Portugal into the play-offs.

However, a win for Portugal will see Cristiano Ronaldo and co into the 2018 World Cup and Switzerland fall into the play-offs instead, bizarrely despite winning nine of their ten games.

The only time Portugal have faltered in this qualification campaign has been the opening game against Switzerland, not many expected the Swiss to maintain their perfect form throughout but they have given themselves every opportunity to see the job through here.

It would be somewhat disconcerting for the reigning European Champions to fail to automatically qualify from their group, but Fernando Santos’s team have been convincing too. They outclassed both Faroe Islands and Andorra 6-0 and beating the other strongest opponents Hungary 3-0 and 1-0 with relative ease – and Portugal will strongly fancy their chances of breaking Switzerland hearts at the intimidating Estadio da Luz.

Team News
The main man Cristiano Ronaldo started the previous game against Andorra on the bench, despite coming on to make a huge impact and score when needed, to preserve his energy specifically for this crucial fixture – so is almost guaranteed to return to the starting line-up.
Santos will be without left-sided players Fabio Coentrao and Dortmund’s Raphael Guerriro.

Switzerland are facing this crunch tie without midfielders Edimilson Ferandes and the key Gelson Fernandes due to injury.

Shaqiri has the ability to win the game single handedly Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch
Whilst most will be expecting Portugal to take the initiative and attack Switzerland in search of the win they so desperately need, they will have to be wary of the threat facing their defence, and in particular from Xherdan Shaqiri. Plying his trade for Stoke City, British football fans know how dangerous the winger can be, possessing the ability to create a moment of magic from nothingness – precisely the type of unpredictable quality that could be the difference on a night like this. The ex-Bayern Munich and Inter Milan man has a wand of a left-foot, sparking a threat from anywhere within 30 yards or from free-kicks there may be a specific plan in place to nullify his threat. Hopefully a Shaqiri on the top of his game turns out in, for a 25-year-old extremely impressively, his 65th cap – hoping to add to his already stellar tally of 20 international goals.

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World Cup Qualifiers – Lithuania vs England – Match Preview

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Lithuania vs England – Match Preview – After England’s dramatic last-gasp victory over Slovenia last time out, The Three Lions have secured their place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Can they finish the qualification campaign in style with a dominant performance over Lithuania?

Lithuania have only picked up the one victory so far, against group whipping boys Malta, so expectations will be understandably high as Gareth Southgate will look for a better showing than the sluggish 2-0 win in the reverse fixture. There are places at the World Cup at stake.

Slovakia, Slovenia and more notably Scotland all have a potential play-off spot to battle for but once again, England have qualified for the World Cup with relative ease, despite not being wholly convincing in the process.

There have been positives, however, the scintillating form of Harry Kane – with yet another crucial late goal on Thursday night – alongside the team’s general resilience makes for good reading. England have scored three injury time goals to claim points in this qualification campaign, and battled to gain something from the match against Scotland, Slovakia twice and now Slovenia.

An impressive defensive record is another highlight of the group; no European team has conceded less than the three England have let in. The solidity at the back has been paramount in the side, once again, not losing a single match in the entirety of the group to date.

With Southgate saying that many of the current squad selected have not earned their place or do not deserve to be there, an extensive absentee list is highlighted. This means that places are surely still up for grabs on the plane so an outstanding performance could give the ex-England u21 boss a much-welcomed headache moving forward.

There is no reason to suggest this match will be anything other than a classic England game, the opposing side will sit deep and attempt to frustrate The Three Lions, but, even if not exhilarating, England will eventually break Lithuania down and do enough to claim the win. A clean sheet and three points should be extremely likely.

Team News
Even with players missing, there is still quality throughout the England squad, and undoubtedly enough to see off the challenge of a team like Lithuania. Dele Alli is set to return following his suspension for a rude gesture. Three strikers in the form of Jermain Defoe, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy all sat on the bench without an opportunity to come on against Slovenia, so some change may take place up front to rotate. Michael Keane may also look to start as Southgate looks towards nailing down a central defensive partnership in time for the World Cup.

Marcus Rashford can become an England great in the future Photo credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford seems to be completely unflustered, regardless of the increasing pressure of the stage he is performing. A meteoric rise to superstardom has been clutched with both hands and the 19-year-old has not looked back, seizing his place in both the England and Manchester United teams. One of the high points of the qualification campaign was the forward’s wonderful 20-yard strike to complete a comeback against Slovakia. More moments of magic are sure to come in an England shirt as he helps shoulder the hopes of an underperforming nation at the next World Cup and beyond.

 

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World Cup Qualifiers – Georgia vs Wales – Match Preview

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Georgia vs Wales – Match Preview – With just two games left of the qualifying campaign, Wales desperately need to secure victory at Georgia to maintain any hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Despite not losing a single qualification match so far, with 14 points from 8 games, realistically Chris Coleman’s side need to win both of their remaining fixtures to stand any chance of qualifying.

Serbia, with 18 points, have all but secured 1st place and qualification in Group D, leaving Wales and Republic of Ireland to battle it out for 2nd place and a potential play-off spot.
Even that play-off spot is uncertain at present, however, as one of the nine groups’ 2nd place teams will miss out as eight progresses – Wales are currently bottom of the nine-team table which is comprised of points achieved against sides that aren’t last in each team’s respective group.

It sounds complicated but the matter of fact is simple, Wales need to win in Georgia.

The task will be made even more difficult following the revelation of star man Gareth Bale being ruled out through injury, and for the crucial, potential winner-takes-all final match against Ireland too.

Vladimir Weiss’ side are notoriously hard to break down and will provide stern opposition, but have no victories to their name in this qualification campaign – despite earning draws against each of the top three sides in the group, including a 1-1 draw in Cardiff in the reverse fixture in a stellar performance which could well have obtained the win.
Expect a tough battle with both sides prioritising defence, however Wales will hope they have enough quality in the side despite Bale’s absence to get over the line and remain in the hunt for a first World Cup appearance in 60 years.

Team News

The headline is inevitably Real Madrid forward and Welsh talisman Gareth Bale’s exclusion, but now he has also been joined on the sidelines by Norwich City’s Marley Watkins – they have been replaced by Barnsley forwards Tom Bradshaw and Ryan Hedges as Wales look for supplementation in attack.

Aaron Ramsey will be key in Wales’ qualification hopes Photo Credit: skysports.com

Player to Watch

Ever since Aaron Ramsey’s inclusion for Wales at the tender age of 17 in 2008, he has had a large portion of the nation’s hopes on his shoulders – but the 26-year-old consistently delivers. The playmaker will hope he can continue his recent surge of form at club level with Arsenal onto the international stage for these final two crucial qualification games. At his best there is no facet of the game beyond Ramsey, but above all else he instils belief in the rest of the team and is a driving force behind the passion and intensity in the Welsh game. Such qualities are pivotal in emerging from international matches such as these with the win.

 

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