26.03. (Tue) 20:30 Serbia - Scotland

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SERBIA
Brkic
Ivanovic, Subotic, Bisevac, Nastasic
Djuricic, Radovanovic,
Stevanovic, Djuricic, Tosic
Djordjevic

SCOTLAND
McGregor
Hutton, Mulgrew, Caldwell, Hanley
Burke, McArthur, Adam, Commons
Naismith, Rhodes

Serbia coach Sinisa Mihajlovic fielded a team lacking in experience against Croatia on Friday. The squad, however, have picked up no new injuries and will likely retain its shape.

Alexander Kolarov could be replaced by Matija Nastasic at left-back with Milan Bisevac coming in at centre-half after a poor performance in Zagreb during which the Manchester City man gifted the opposition a goal in the first half.

Gordon Strachan will be without striker Steven Fletcher (ankle), who has returned to his club. Scotland are still without a midfield trio of Darren Fletcher (bowel), James Morrison (hamstring) and Scott Brown (hip), and Kenny Miller is a doubt with suggestions that he was struggling toward the latter end of the contest with Wales. Robert Snodgrass misses out due to suspension.

Strachan may opt for two up front in this game as both his team and their opposition on the night are now effectively playing for pride, with the race to qualify for Brazil 2014 all but lost.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since leaving Manchester United, Zoran Tosic has become a regular in the Serbia side, and the 25 year-old will win his 49th cap on Tuesday.

Rising star Stefan Scepovic has scored more than a goal every other game in his last two seasons in domestic football. The 23 year-old is currently on loan from FK Partisan to Ashdod and has scored four goals in his last six games.

Scotland winger Kris Commons has scored 13 goals for Celtic this season and one more will equal his career best.

Jordan Rhodes is currently the third highest scorer in the Championship with 22 goals. The closest Scot to him is Craig Mackail-Smith on 11, but he was not named in Strachan's 28-man squad. Rhodes is 9/1 with BetVictor to score first in this match.

Only two players in the Scotland squad have played more games for their country than Gordon Strachan: Kenny Miller (67) and Gary Caldwell (54). However, unlike their new manager, neither have played in a World Cup.

26.03. (Tue) 20:30 Netherlands - Romania

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NETHERLANDS
Vermeer
Janmaat, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind
De Guzman, Van der Vaart, Strootman
Lens, Van Persie, Robben

ROMANIA
Tatarusanu
Tamas, Gardos, Chiriches, Rat
Bourceanu, Pintilii
Grozav, Torje, Stancu
Mutu

Louis van Gaal will still be without Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul through injury, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is being plagued by a knee problem and is unavailable, too.

Additionally, Wesley Sneijder misses out after picking up a groin injury against Estonia.

Ajax shot-stopper Kenneth Vermeer is expected to start again on Tuesday, while Rafael van der Vaart will take Sneijder's place in midfield in an otherwise unchanged XI.

Meanwhile, Romania boss Victor Piturca will have to make do without the services of the injured Ciprian Marica and Costin Lazar, while Dorin Goian is suspended following his yellow card against Hungary.

Therefore, Florin Gardos is expected to start in defence, while Razvan Rat could return at left-back at the expense of Stefan Radu.

DID YOU KNOW?

Netherlands have not conceded at home in a World Cup qualifier since Teemu Tainio scored for Finland on October 13, 2004.

Arjen Robben will equal the legendary Ruud Gullit on 66 international appearances for the national team if he features on Tuesday.

Holland's third goal against Estonia on Friday evening was the 1500th strike in their illustrious history, nearly 98 years after Eddy de Neve scored the first goal for the national team in a 4-1 win over Belgium.

Romania have locked horns with Holland on 12 occasions so far, winning only once (in October 2007), drawing three times, and losing the remaining eight matches.

Adrian Mutu equaled Gheorghe Hagi as Romania's all-time leading goalscorer on 35 goals following his strike against Hungary last week.

The guests have not qualified for the World Cup since making it to the round of 16 in France in 1998.

Prediction
Louis van Gaal's men have been in fine form this qualification campaign and will be confident they can add three more points to their tally on Tuesday. Oranje recorded a comfortable win in the away game against Romania and should be able to repeat that feat at the Amsterdam ArenA. Holland have not conceded at home in the World Cup qualification since 2004, and victory for Netherlands seems the only realistic outcome.

Editor's Prediction
Netherlands 2-0 Romania

Midweek International's Preview 25th Mart

Montenegro v England
The next round of World Cup qualifiers get underway in what should prove, for England at least, to be a far sterner test than the 8 goal thrashing of minnows San Marino last week.
England (4/5) have never lost a World Cup or European Championships qualifier in the month of March and they will be looking to continue that trend in a tricky tie against Montenegro (4/1, Draw 21/10)
This fixture is fast becoming a regular one with the teams facing each other in the last qualifying tournament - for the 2012 European Championships - with both games ending level: 0-0 (8/1) at Wembley and 2-2 (18/1) in Podgorica.
England recorded their biggest win since October 1987 in their last game against San Marino . And although a similar 8-0 result is unlikely at 500/1 the wise money could be on England to win with a handicap. England -1 is 11/5, -2 at 6/1 and -3 goals 16/1.
Wayne Rooney seems to have found his scoring boots again for The Three Lions scoring in four successive England appearances and in five of his last six. We have him at 4/1 to score the first or last goal and even money to score at any time. We have included him in a cracking headline offer to score at anytime in an England win at 5/2.
Montenegro have won four successive qualifiers without conceding a goal (11 goals scored in total). They are 16/5 to stop England scoring and keep a clean sheet, and 11/2 to win with a clean sheet. England are 6/5 and 7/4 for the respective markets. Our headline offer for Montenegro is for Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic to score & Montenegro to win at 8/1.

Northern Ireland v Israel
Northern Ireland (2/1) have only faced Israel (11/8, Draw 11/5) twice before, while attempting to qualify for the 1982 World Cup. They won one, drew the other and kept clean sheets in both. They are 21/10 to keep a clean sheet this time around whilst Israel are 8/5.
Results seem to be picking up for Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland side who have drawn five of their last six, that said, the Green and White Army are winless in their last 12.
They are finding it hard to find the net in recent times. Since September 2011, no Northern Ireland player has scored more than a single goal for his country. We are backing Niall McGinn to change all that by scoring in a Northern Ireland win (6/1)
Tomer Hemed will be the main threat for Israel and we go 5/1 first/last and 5/4 anytime. Hemed scored a hat-trick in his last away international appearance (v Luxembourg) and has six in his last five in all competitions for Israel. At the same price we have Eden Ben Basat, and for him to score in an Israel win we are offering 9/2.

Republic of Ireland v Austria
The omens don't look good for Republic of Ireland (23/20). They have won just two of their 12 previous meetings with Austria (5/2, Draw 11/5), losing 8 and drawing two and since beating Austria 3-2 in Dublin in October 1963, Ireland have lost all four competitive clashes with Austria, scoring just 3 goals and conceding 16. Against Sweden on Friday, Ireland failed to muster a shot on target for the first time in a competitive game under Giovanni Trapattoni.
Ireland have only failed to score though in one of their last nine home internationals (0-1 in a friendly against Greece). West Brom striker Shane Long is the subject of our headline offer in this match. For him to score in a Rep of Ireland win we go 7/2.
Austria have only won one of their last 18 internationals on the road: a 4-1 victory in Azerbaijan in October 2011. The same score line against Ireland returns odds of 100/1!
Marc Janko has netted three times in his last four appearances for Austria and we offer 8/1 for him to score the first or last goal and 11/4 to score at anytime. David Alaba to score & Austria to win is our headline offer for the away side.

Wales v Croatia
Wales (9/2) and Croatia (8/11, Draw 23/10) have met three times before, and Wales are yet to pick up their first victory though they have managed a draw. However it's been 45 games since Wales last drew a game, that coming against Germany six years ago. For a repeat of the 0-0 score-line we go 8/1.
A clean sheet for either side seems unlikely as Wales' goalkeeper Boaz Myhill has conceded five more goals (9) than he has made saves in World Cup 2014 qualification. But with the prolific Gareth Bale in the Welsh ranks, Croatia will fear their goal-scoring ability. In their 2-1 victory over Scotland last Friday, Wales scored in a game without Gareth Bale netting for the first time since September 2011.
The evergreen Craig Bellamy to score & Wales to win is our Headline offer for Wales and we offer 10/1.
Croatia have won their last four internationals in all competitions and are unbeaten in six. Mario Mandzukic to score & Croatia to win is 5/2.

Serbia v Scotland
Excluding games played as the former Yugoslavia, the match between Serbia (8/13) and Scotland (5/1, Draw 13/5) in September 2012 was their first ever clash.
Scotland are now without a win in six competitive games so will need their strikers to perform as they do for their club sides. The prolific Jordan Rhodes is the favourite to score the first or last at 8/1 with a goal at anytime priced at 11/4.
Scotland have only failed to score in one of their last eight away internationals at to score and are 4/5 to score at least one here. Can Shaun Maloney score in a Scotland win ? We go 20/1 that he does.
On the other hand, Gordon Strachan's side have only mustered one clean sheet in 11 games on the road. They are 18/5 to record one here. Serbia to do the same are 17/20.
Serbia have lost their last three qualifiers without scoring a single goal, conceding six themselves so they need to halt that trend if they are to progress. Can Filip Djordevic score in a Serbia win? We offer 2/1 that he does.

26.03. (Tue) 18:00 Azerbaijan - Portugal

PROBABLE LINEUPS

AZERBAIJAN
Agayev
Shukurov, Sadygov, Ramaldanov, Medvedev
Farjad-Azad, Sadiqov, Abishov, Dzavadov
Ismayilov, Aliyev

PORTUGAL
Rui Patricio
Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Silvio
Martins, Voloso, Moutinho
Varela, Postiga, Vieirinha

Cristiano Ronaldo’s yellow card in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Israel means the Portugal captain will be suspended for Tuesday’s Group F match against Azerbaijan.
His loss further depletes a Portuguese attack that was already without Manchester United winger Nani, who who suffered a hamstring injury on club duty.

Porto’s Silvestre Varela, who started in place of the Manchester United winger in Ramat Gan, is expected to keep his place in Baku, and one of Danny or Vieirinha will replace Ronaldo.

Left-back Fabio Coentrao may also be absent on Tuesday after picking up a foot injury against Israel and Deportivo La Coruna left-back Silvio is on standby should Coentrao be unable to start.

Carlos Martins is also expected to play from the beginning against Azerbaijan in place of Raul Meireles, who has come down with flu.

Azerbaijan boss Berti Vogts has no new injury worries or suspensions to deal with ahead of Tuesday’s match.

DID YOU KNOW?

Portugal head into Tuesday’s match without a win since September 2012—the last time they played Azerbaijan.

Silvestre Varela, Helder Postiga and Bruno Alves scored the goals in Portugal’s 3-0 win over Azerbaijan in September—all three coming after the hour mark.

With Cristiano Ronaldo suspended and Nani injured, Helder Postiga and Hugo Almeida are Portugal’s only available internationals with more than 10 international goals apiece. Postiga has 25; Almeida 16.

Azerbaijan have picked up points in three matches so far in World Cup qualifying—drawing with Israel, Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. But their best performance came in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Russia in Moscow.

When the latest Fifa rankings came out earlier this month, the home side had risen two places—from 118th to 116th.

These two sides have met on three previous occasions, with Portugal winning each of them by a combined score of 8-0.

Prediction
Their hosts may be tough to break down, but if Portugal cannot win this match then they do not deserve a place at the 2014 World Cup finals.

Editor's Prediction
Azerbaijan 0-2 Portugal

25.03. (Mon) 20:30 Brazil - Russia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BRAZIL
Julio Cesar
Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo
Fernando, Hernanes
Oscar, Kaka, Neymar
Fred

RUSSIA
Akinfeev
Anyukov, V. B'skiy, Ignashevich, A. B'skiy
Faizulin, Tarasov
Bystrov, Dzagoev, Shirokov
Kerzhakov

Luiz Felipe Scolari will be keen to pick up his first win since returning as Brazil coach when they take on Russia at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

The trainer is expected to bring in additional experience to a defence that surrendered a two-goal lead against Italy last week, with Thiago Silva and Marcelo replacing Dante and Filipe Luis respectively. Fernando and Hernanes are expected to continue their partnership in midfield with Ramires doubtful after struggling to shake off a knock.

The only other change from the former Chelsea boss will see Hulk drop to the bench with Kaka awarded a starting berth behind Fred.

Russia's preparations, meanwhile, have been far from ideal with their World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland postponed twice. However, the only likely absentee for Fabio Capello's side will be Igor Denisov who misses out through illness and so Roman Shirokov will captain the side.

Dmitri Tarasov could therefore be handed his international debut in midfield, while the experienced Alexandr Kerzhakov is expected to lead the line.

DID YOU KNOW?

Brazil have never lost against Monday's opponents. Including fixtures with the former Soviet Union, the South American side have picked up eight wins in 10 meetings between the two nations.

The Selecao came out on top the last time these two went head-to-head. Ronaldo scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win in Moscow.

Luiz Felipe Scolari is no stranger to Stamford Bridge, having coached Chelsea for just over seven months in the 2008-09 Premier League season
Russia are unbeaten under Fabio Capello and have not lost since their Euro 2012 elimination at the hands of Greece last June.

Alexandr Kerzhakov is just four goals away from joining Vladimir Beschastnykh as the eastern European nation's all-time leading goalscorer.
An appearance for Aleksandr Anyukov will see him join Andrei Arshavin, who has been cut from the squad, on 74 caps.

Brazil are currently in 18th position in the Fifa rankings, their lowest position since the classification's inception, while Russia occupy 10th place.

Prediction
After the disappointment of letting a two-goal lead slip against Italy last Thursday, Brazil will be determined not to see the same thing happen again in London and should be able to secure Luiz Felipe Scolari his first victory since returning as coach.

Editor's Prediction
Brazil 2-1 Russia

League Two Opta Facts – March 23-24th

AFC Wimbledon v Morecambe
These two sides have met on only three previous occasions, with Wimbledon winning the first meeting, the second drawn and Morecambe winning the third and latest clash.
The Shrimpers won an eventful home clash with the Dons earlier this season, with Kevin Ellison bagging a hat-trick for the home side, Jack Midson netting a penalty for the visitors and Wimbledon's Paul McCallum seeing red.
AFC Wimbledon have drawn five games from winning positions at home; a joint-league-high with Morecambe.
The Dons have scored 33% of their goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches; a league-high proportion.

Barnet v Cheltenham
Barnet have won only one of their last 11 games against Cheltenham, losing four (including the last two without scoring) and drawing six
At Underhill, the Bees are unbeaten in their six league clashes with the Robins, winning two and drawing four.
The Bees have won their last three games at Underhill, extending their unbeaten run at home to six (W4 D2).
Cheltenham's Billy Jones has created 47 chances for his team-mates this season; a league-high.

Bradford v Bristol Rovers
Bradford have won just one of their last nine games against Bristol, losing six and drawing two.
The last nine games between the Bantams and the Pirates have average 3.8 goals per game.
There have been three players sent off in the last two clashes between these two sides, including two in the meeting earlier this season (one each).
The Pirates have conceded just five goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches this season; a league-low.

Burton Albion v Wycombe
Wycombe have won all three league meetings with Burton, netting a total of nine goals in the process and conceded just two.
The reverse fixture earlier this season saw Matt McClure grab a brace and Joel Grant score from the penalty spot (both for Wycombe), while Burton's Zander Diamond saw red in a 3-0 home win for the Chairboys.
Burton have won their last nine games at home, scoring 21 goals and keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Wycombe have lost four times from winning positions this season; a joint-league-high with Rochdale.

Chesterfield v Plymouth
Chesterfield have suffered just one defeat in their last five games against Plymouth, winning three and drawing one.
The Spireites have shipped a total of 10 goals in their last four clashes with the Pilgrims, although prior to this season's meeting, they last met in 2004, when Argyle won 7-0 at home.
The Pilgrims have lost only once in their last six games (W3 D2), with veteran midfielder Paul Wotton scoring a penalty in each of his last two games.
Chesterfield have not lost at home from a winning position this season (W8 D2).

Fleetwood v Dagenham & Redbridge
The meeting between the two sides earlier this season was the first time they had every clashed in any competition (1-0 home win for Dagenham courtesy of a 90th min pen from Sam Williams).
The Daggers have taken 14 penalties this season (a league-high). However, they have missed more than any other side (7).
Fleetwood are without a win at home in four games (D3 L1).
The Daggers have lost 12 points from winning positions on the road this season; a league-high.

Gillingham v Accrington
Gillingham have only enjoyed one victory in their last five meetings with Accrington Stanley, losing two and drawing two.
On home soil, the Gills are unbeaten in their four clashes with Stanley, winning three and drawing one.
Accrington have scored seven goals in their last two games (W2), with defender Lee Molyneux scoring four.
The Gills have conceded the fewest goals in the division (31), and the joint-fewest goals in the first half of matches (14).

Northampton v Oxford Utd
The last six meetings between these two sides have alternated between a win for Northampton and a win for United. For this sequence to continue, the Cobblers need to win at the weekend.
At the Sixfields Stadium, the Cobblers won each of their last five clashes with the U's, courtesy of three 2-1 wins and two 1-0 victories.
The Cobblers have won their last eight home games, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Oxford have won their last three games on the road, with James Constable scoring twice in that run.

Port Vale v Aldershot
Port Vale are unbeaten in their last eight games against Aldershot, winning the last five in a row after drawing the previous three.
The Shots have netted a total of six goals in their last nine clashes with Vale, and never more than one in a game.
The Vale have conceded 15 goals in the second half of matches, equating to 37%; a league-low proportion.
Aldershot have clawed back just two points from losing positions this season (D2); the fewest in the division.

Rochdale v Southend
Rochdale have enjoyed just one win in their last 12 games against Southend, losing eight and drawing three.
In the last 15 clashes between the two sides at Spotland, neither side has ever scored more than two goals.
The Dale have recorded one victory in their last seven games (D3 L3).
Rochdale's George Donnelly has scored three goals in his last two games at Spotland.

Rotherham v Exeter
The last three meetings between the two sides have produced a total of just four goals.
Rotherham have lost just one of their last four against the Grecians, winning two and drawing one.
The Millers have won five times from losing positions this season; a joint-league-high with Southend and Burton Albion.
The Grecians have kept an impressive seven clean sheets in their last 10 games.

Torquay v York
Torquay have now gone four games unbeaten against York, winning two and drawing two.
At Plainmoor, the Gulls have enjoyed just one win in their last five league clashes with the Minstermen, drawing three and losing one.
York are without a win since New Year's Day; a run stretching back 14 games (D7 L7).
Torquay have kept just two clean sheets at Plainmoor this season, only AFC Wimbledon (1) have kept fewer shut-outs on home soil.

League One Opta Facts - March 23-24th

Sheff Utd v Brentford
The Blades have only lost one of their last seven league games against Brentford (W4 D2), but that came in the reverse fixture at Griffin Park back in November.
The three clashes between Sheff Utd and Brenford since the start of last season, which are the only league clashes since the 1988/89 campaign, have all finished 2-0 (two in favour of the Blades, one in favour of the Bees).
Uwe Rosler's side have not netted in the first-half on any of their last five league games, though they have won their last two.
After a run of six consecutive clean sheets in the Football League, the Blades conceded four last time out at Stevenage.

Bournemouth v Bury
Bury have won their last two trips to Dean Court in the Football League (both 2-1) after winning the same number in their first 18 trips to the home of the Cherries combined.
Bournemouth have only once failed to score in a home league game against Bury (20 games) and that was in a 0-3 defeat back in November 1960.
Brett Pitman has scored five of Bournemouth's last six league goals.
Bury have lost six of their last eight league games, winning the other two.

Carlisle v Yeovil
Only one of the previous 15 Football League meetings between Carlisle and Yeovil has ended in a draw.
Carlisle forward Mark Beck scored his first and so far only brace in the reverse fixture between the Cumbrians and the Glovers.
Carlisle have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine league games, but that was in a 2-0 home win over Brentford in their last game at Brunton Park.
No League One player has scored more goals in 2013 than Yeovil's Paddy Madden (12).
The Glovers have found the net at least once in 10 of their 13 league games this calendar year, and Madden has been on the scoresheet in nine of those games.

Colchester v MK Dons
The Dons have won their last four successive league games against Colchester, scoring five goals in two of those games (14 in total).
Only once in their history have MK Dons won five successive games against the same opponent; their current run of five successive wins against Tranmere.
The Dons have only won two of their last 13 league games, but those victories have come in their last five games (D1 L2).
Karl Robinson's side are without a win in seven on the road, however.

Crawley v Crewe
Crawley have never beaten Crewe in the Football League, drawing twice against them last season and losing 0-2 at Gresty Road in the reverse fixture this season.
Crawley have drawn their last four successive league games, with the last two finishing 2-2.
Indeed, the Red Devils' run of five games without defeat (1W 4D) is their longest of the campaign.
Mathias Pogba has netted four goals in his last four league appearances for the Railwaymen.

Hartlepool v Walsall
The last three league meetings between Hartlepool and Walsall, including the reverse fixture this season, have all ended level.
The Saddlers have only won once in their last seven trips to face Pool in the North East (D3 L3).
Hartlepool have gone 450 minutes of league football without a goal.
Walsall hitman Will Grigg has scored nine goals in his last seven league games, with five of those goals coming from the penalty spot.
Indeed, in the 2013, Grigg has scored more goals (12) than two League One teams have managed in total (Portsmouth 11, Bury 10).

Portsmouth v Coventry
Coventry have only won one of their last five trips to Fratton Park in the league, drawing two and losing two.
Gary McSheffrey has scored in three of the last four meetings between Pompey and the Sky Blues, though he has not found the net in the league since his goal in the reverse fixture back in November.
Only one of the Sky Blues' last seven games has seen less than two goals scored.
David Connolly has scored four goals in his last five appearances for Pompey.

Preston v Leyton Orient
Orient have won their last three league games against Preston, scoring exactly twice in each game.
None of the last 12 meetings between the sides in Lancashire have ended in draws; the teams last shared the spoils at Deepdale in November 1979.
Leyton Orient are unbeaten in six league games, winning four and drawing two.
Kevin Lisbie has scored in four of his last five appearances for the O's.
Will Hayhurst has scored three goals in his last four appearances for North End.

Scunthorpe v Doncaster
Doncaster have won four consecutive league games against the Iron, scoring 14 goals in total and conceding just four.
Indeed, the South Yorkshire side have only failed to score twice in their last 34 league meetings with Scunthorpe (66 goals in total).
Rovers have only lost one of their last 11 trips to Glanford Park in the Football League, winning six and drawing four.
League leaders Doncaster have lost only one of their last eight league games, winning three and drawing four.

Shrewsbury v Oldham
Oldham are without a win in five against Shrewsbury in the league, drawing two and losing three.
The Latics have found the net on just one of their last seven league trips to Shrewsbury, though they did score three times on that occasion.
Oldham have only drawn one of their last 23 league games (W7 L15).
Shrewsbury have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine league games.

Swindon v Notts County
Swindon have scored in each of their 25 home league meetings with the Magpies, averaging just over 2 goals per game in these clashes.
Despite that, the Robins are without a win in five against County (D2 L3).
The Magpies have only managed to score more than one goal in one of their last 11 league games, when they netted four against Bury back in February.
Swindon have only managed three points from the last 12 on offer at the County Ground.

Tranmere v Stevenage
Tranmere and Stevenage have met just three times before in the Football League and have a perfectly even record; one win each and one game drawn.
Stevenage's Dani Lopez is the only player to have netted a hat-trick for two different teams (Barnet is the other side) in the Premier League/Football League this season.
None of the last 19 league games involving Stevenage have ended in draws.
Rovers have failed to find the net in three of their last four league games.

23.03. (Sat) 01:00 Argentina - Venezuela

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARGENTINA
Romero
Burdisso, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo
Mascherano, Gago, Montillo
Messi, Higuain, Lavezzi

VENEZUELA
Hernandez
A. Gonzalez, Tunez, Vizcarrondo, Cichero
Rincon, Lucena, C. Gonzalez, Arango
Seijas, Rondon

Alejandro Sabella's Argentina team has a very familiar look as the coach elects to keep the base of the side which impressed during an unbeaten 2012. Sabella, however, is forced to make two changes from his habitual XI.

Sergio Aguero's injury leaves a space up front, which will most likely be filled by Ezequiel Lavezzi in the Monumental. Angel Di Maria is also unavailable due to suspension; in a surprise choice, Santos playmaker Walter Montillo looks set to partner Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano in the middle of an attacking Albiceleste line-up.

Currently fourth in the World Cup standings and dreaming of a first-ever appearance at football's biggest tournament, Venezuela will have to make do without the talents of historic goalscorer Fernando Amorebieta.

The central defender scored the only goal in 2011 when the Vinotinto recorded their first-ever victory over Friday's opponents, 1-0 in Puerto La Cruz, but is injured and unavailable for the return clash. In his place, Lanus' Oswaldo Vizcarrondo will partner Celta Vigo man Andres Tunez at the back.

DID YOU KNOW?

Argentina went down two years ago to Friday's rivals after winning every single one of their previous 19 encounters.

Fernando Amorebieta made history for his nation with the match's solitary strike, the only time Argentina have tasted defeat so far in qualifying.

The Albiceleste have scored over two goals a game across the tournament so far, notching 20 in nine appearances. Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain also share the honour of top scorer alongside Uruguay's Luis Suarez.

Sabella's men are looking to book their place at an 11th consecutive World Cup, having appeared at every competition except 1934 and 1938 (withdrew) and 1970 (failed to qualify).

Venezuela, on the other hand, have never made the final stages of the tournament, and indeed only recorded their maiden qualifying victory in 2007 with a win over Ecuador.

Captain Juan Arango is by far the most experienced of the Vinotinto line-up, having been capped 111 times since making his debut in 1999. He has also appeared in five Copas America, and is five caps short of becoming Venezuela's record appearance holder.

Friday will be the first time the Vinotinto take the field since the passing of president Hugo Chavez, an outspoken supporter of national football who recently lost a long battle against cancer.

Prediction
Venezuela are no longer the Cinderella of South American football, and have proved over the last few years that under Cesar Farias, they are a force to be reckoned with. That said, Argentina's superstars should have the tools to gain revenge for 2011's defeat and record a close yet comfortable victory.

Editor's Prediction
Argentina 2-0 Venezuela

22.03. (Fri) 21:00 France - Georgia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FRANCE
Lloris
Jallet, Koscielny, Sakho, Evra
Valbuena, Matuidi, Cabaye, Ribery
Benzema, Giroud

GEORGIA
Revishvili
Kashia, Amisulashvili, Khizanishvili
Okriashvili, Targamadze
Kankava, Daushvili, Grigalashvili
Ananidze, Devdariani

France coach Didier Deschamps is set to tinker with his side against Georgia on Friday evening, ahead of the potential group decider against world champions Spain in Paris next week.

The former Marseille boss hinted earlier in the week he may try a 4-4-2 formation, with Karim Benzema and Arsenal's Olivier Giroud both starting against the Eastern European outfit.

With Mathieu Debuchy pulling out of the squad after limping off in Newcastle's game against Wigan on Sunday, Deschamps has called upon a familiar face in the form of Rod Fanni. The Marseille defender could be in line for a start should Paris Saint-Germain's Christophe Jallet fail to make the grade.

Young talents Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane are set to be benched, with Deschamps preferring the tried and tested duo of Laurent Koscielny and Mamadou Sakho in defence.

Georgia coach Temuri Ketsbaia is also without a few players due to injury. Defender Akaki Khubutia failed to join the side to train on Wednesday at Stade Charlety due to travel issues, while Zurab Khizanishvili and Jano Ananidze will be known faces to many European football aficionados.

DID YOU KNOW?

France have won two out of their three World Cup qualifiers in the 2014 cycle, dropping points only to Spain.

Les Bleus lost their last fixture to Germany, in an international friendly in February.

The two nations have only met twice before, in qualification for Euro 2008. France won 1-0 in Paris, before a 3-0 win in Tbilisi .

Georgia sit in third place in Group I of World Cup qualifying. A win against France would take them level on points.

The Eastern European side's win over Albania last month was their first in five games.

Georgia occupy 69th position in the world rankings, while Levan Kobiashvili heads the all-time Georgia caps tally with 100.

Prediction
While Deschamps' side faltered in last month's friendly against Germany, there were plenty of positives, not least what the likes of Mathieu Valbuena and Blaise Matuidi bring to the international table. Georgia will put up resistance, and are a tough side, as Spain almost found out to their cost but the hosts should really wrap this one up.

Editor's Prediction
France 3-0 Georgia

22.03. (Fri) 20:45 Spain - Finland

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SPAIN
Valdes
Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba
Alonso, Busquets, Iniesta
Silva, Fabregas, Pedro

FINLAND
Hradecky
Raitala, Toivio, Moisander, Arkivuo
Ring, Sparv
R Eremenko, Hetemaj, Hamalainen
Pukki

Midfielder Xavi is struggling with a hamstring problem and is unlikely to feature in Spain's Group I World Cup qualifier against Finland at El Molinon.

Carles Puyol (knee) and Iker Casillas (hand) are out injured, while Fernando Torres and Javi Martinez have been omitted from the squad by coach Vicente del Bosque.

Cesc Fabregas is expected to start in a "false nine" role alongside Pedro and David Silva in attack.

Finland boss Mixu Paatelainen is without Alexei Eremenko, who is suspended after getting sent off in the 1-1 draw against Georgia.

Chievo's Perparim Hetemaj is likely to replace the Rubin Kazan playmaker in the starting line-up.

DID YOU KNOW?

Spain are on an 18-match unbeaten run (W14, D4) stretching back to November 2011.

La Roja have won three of their last four encounters with Finland.

If he plays, Sergio Ramos will be the eighth player to reach 100 appearances for Spain.

Finland have only won three of their last nine internationals (W3, D3, L3).

Suomi are ranked 87th in the world, having never qualified for a major tournament.

Finland's last win over Spain was a 2-0 success in a World Cup qualifier in June 1969.

Prediction
It is hard to see this being anything other than a home win for Spain, against a Finland side lacking in experience at the highest level. The hosts will be out to record a convincing win ahead of Tuesday's table-topping showdown with France in Paris.

Editor's Prediction
Spain 3-0 Finland

22.03. (Fri) 20:30 Netherlands - Estonia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NETHERLANDS
Stekelenburg
Janmaat, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind
De Guzman, Sneijder, Strootman
Lens, Van Persie, Robben

ESTONIA
Pareiko
Jaager, Morozov, Klavan, Teniste
Puri, Vunk, Vassiljev, Kink
Lindpere
Oper

Louis van Gaal will be without Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul due to physical problems, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is being plagued by a knee injury and is unavailable, too.

Roma shot-stopper Maarten Stekelenburg could return between the sticks again after missing Oranje's previous two games, while Van Gaal is likely to opt for a four-man defence consisting of promising youngsters who ply their trade in the Eredivisie.

Skipper Wesley Sneijder makes his comeback in midfield, with Robin van Persie leading the line in what promises to be a youthful-looking team.

Meanwhile, Estonia boss Tarmo Ruutli will have to make do without the likes of Taavi Rahn and Gert Kams due to injury.

Ruutli plans to field an experienced starting XI in Amsterdam, with talismanic striker Andres Oper expected to start as Estonia's lone front-man, with Joel Lindpere offering support from midfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

Netherlands are one of only two European teams that have yet to lose points in the qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup, Russia being the other side.

Van Persie needs only two more goals to equal the legendary Johan Cruyff's record of 33 international strikes for Holland.

Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena was crowned European champion at Under-17 level less than a year ago, and could now make his debut at senior level.

Estonia have locked horns with Holland on two occasions so far, losing both at home and away in the qualification campaign for the 2002 World Cup.

The guests' all-time leading goalscorer Oper plied his trade in the Eredivisie from 2005 until 2009 at Roda before leaving for Shanghai Shenhua, only to return to Netherlands one year later at ADO Den Haag.

Estonia are one of 21 Uefa members who have never featured at a European Championship or a World Cup.

Prediction
The 2010 World Cup finalists will be desperate to maintain their perfect record, and there's little doubt that they have the individual quality to see off Estonia. Players such as Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben are still among the best in the world and will prove to be too much for the away side. Expect Oranje to cruise to a comfortable win and make it five wins from five in Group D.

Editor's Prediction
Netherlands 3-0 Estonia

22.03. (Fri) 19:00 Kazakhstan - Germany

PROBABLE LINEUPS

KAZAKHSTAN
Sidelnikov
Dmitrenko, Mukhtarov, Korobkin, Kirov
Nuserbaev, Bogdanov, Nurd'tov, Khairullin
Konysbaev
Gridin

GERMANY
Neuer
Lahm, Mertesacker, Boateng, Schmelzer
Khedira, Schweinsteiger
Muller, Ozil, Reus
Gomez

Germany will be without the services of two of their regular defenders for the trip to Astana, with both Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber injured, leaving Per Mertesacker and Jerome Boateng to line up together at centre-back.

Both Bender twins have dropped out of the squad due to injury, but Sami Khedira is fit to line up alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger. Finally, Mario Gomez will start up front, but Mario Gotze could get a run out in a false nine role.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan will be without the services of Marat Shakhmetov and Azat Nurgaliev from the side who faced Austria back in Ocober.

Marat Khairullin should replace the latter on the left-hand side of midfield, with either Pavel Shabalin or Tanat Nuserbaev filling in for the former on the right.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kazakhstan have won just two World Cup qualifying games since making the switch from the Asian Football Confederation to Uefa.

The Central Asian nation also faced the Nationalelf in Euro 2012 qualifying, losing 3-0 at home and 4-0 away.

Midfielder Heinrich Schmidtgal was born in the Soviet Union, but moved to Germany at the age of two, later electing to represent Kazakhstan.

Germany have lost just two World Cup qualifiers in their history, the last one coming against England in September 2001.

Lukas Podolski has scored just two international goals since his last trip to Astana in October 2010. Another two strikes would see him leapfrog Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in Germany's list of all-time top scorers.

A total of 140 places separate the Nationalelf and Kazakhstan in the Fifa ranking.

Prediction
Germany have have been forced into a couple of changes at the back, but Per Mertesacker and Jerome Boateng are hardly poor replacements, while going forward, they have enough firepower to see off anyone, let alone a team of little quality as Kazakhstan.

Editor's Prediction
Kazakhstan 0-4 Germany

21.03. (Thu) 20:30 Italy - Brazil

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ITALY
Buffon
Barzagli, Bonucci, Ranocchia
Pirlo
Abate, Marchisio, Montolivo, Giaccherini
Balotelli, El Shaarawy

BRAZIL
Julio Cesar
Dani Alves, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Filipe
Fernando, Luiz Gustavo
Hulk, Oscar, Neymar
Fred

Italy and Brazil go toe-to-toe on Thursday evening, with Cesare Prandelli hoping to guide his side to their first victory against the South American giants in over 30 years.

However, the Azzurri coach is unlikely to be able to call upon powerful centre-back Giorgio Chiellini who is a doubt for the match after aggravating an ankle problem in training. Therefore Andrea Ranocchia could be in line for a starting spot in defence.

Prandelli is expected to start with AC Milan team-mates Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy in attack, while Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Riccardo Montolivo should form the midfield.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has had a number of injury problems to contest with following his second squad selection since replacing Mano Menezes as coach of Brazil.

Lucas Moura withdrew after taking a knock while representing Paris Saint-Germain against Nancy earlier this month, but was replaced by another pacy wide player in Sao Paulo's Osvaldo. Deep-lying midfield duo Paulinho and Ramires have both pulled out due to injury, and so a previously untested pairing of Fernando and Luiz Gustavo will feature in front of the back four.

Scolari has been testing out a 3-5-2 formation in training but it is more likely that he will begin with the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 line-up.

DID YOU KNOW?

Italy have not tasted victory against Thursday's opponents for over 30 years. A Paolo Rossi hat-trick guided the Azzurri to a 3-2 win in the 1982 World Cup.

An outing for Gianluigi Buffon will take him to within one appearance of the second most-capped Italy player ever, Paolo Maldini.

Mario Balotelli has been in scintilating form since joining AC Milan in January with seven goals in six Serie A appearances for the Rossoneri.

Brazil ran out as 3-0 winners when these two nations last met in the 2009 Confederations Cup. Only three players from the squad for that game could feature on Thursday.

The Selecao famously defeated the Azzurri on penalties to win the World Cup in 1994. Roberto Baggio missed the decisive spot kick.

Scolari lost his first game back at the helm of the national team as Brazil succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of England last month.

Brazil are currently in 18th position in the Fifa Rankings, their lowest rating since the classification's inception.

Prediction
In a fixture which is steeped in rich history, it may finally be Italy's time to end a period of over 30 years without defeating Brazil. Under the wing of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Selecao remain a largely youthful team who are still in transition. The involvement in competitive fixtures of the past years could grant the Azzurri a slight advantage over their South American opponents, who may find it tough against an experienced Italy team.

Editor's Prediction
Italy 2-1 Brazil

International Opta Facts - March 22nd

Scotland v Wales
Scotland and Wales have met 106 times in all competitions, with the Scots leading the head-to-head by 61 wins to 22 (23 draws).
In World Cup/European qualifiers, Wales are unbeaten in three against Scotland, winning two and drawing one.
In all competitions, Wales have won four of their last five against Scotland, including the reverse fixture in October (2-1 in Cardiff).
In each of the last six games that Wales have scored in, Gareth Bale has been one of the players on the scoresheet (seven goals).
Wales have lost seven of their last eight away games in all competitions, winning the other against Bulgaria.
It has now been 44 games since a game involving Wales last ended in a draw (0-0 v Germany in November 2007).
Scotland are unbeaten in eight games on home soil in all competition, winning five and drawing three.
Going back further, Gordon Strachan's side have lost just four of their last 26 in front of their own fans, with those defeats coming against the heavyweights of Spain, Netherlands, Argentina and Italy.
Only San Marino (35) have faced more shots on target in this WCQ campaign than Wales (32).

Sweden v Republic of Ireland
Sweden have won three and drawn one of their four previous competitive meetings with Republic of Ireland, though they last met in a qualifier in 1970.
Since then, the sides have met twice (both in friendlies) with Ireland picking up the victory each time (five goals scored, none conceded).
Ireland's record goal-scorer Robbie Keane scored in the previous meeting against Sweden in March 2006.
Ireland have only lost two of their last 21 away internationals, winning nine and drawing 10.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side have kept eight clean sheets in their last 13 internationals on the road.
Since a 0-1 defeat to England in November 2011, Sweden have only failed to score in one of 16 internationals in all competitions.

Northern Ireland v Russia
Russia are unbeaten in five previous clashes with Northern Ireland (including as Soviet Union), winning three and drawing two.
Both draws between these two sides, however, have occurred in their two clashes in Belfast, with Russia winning all three home games against Northern Ireland without conceding a goal.
Russia have only lost one of their last 24 internationals in all competitions, winning 13 and drawing 10.
Roman Shirokov has scored in Russia's last three internationals and in four of their last six, including a goal against Northern Ireland last September.
Northern Ireland are winless in 12 international games (D5 L7) since defeating Faroe Islands 4-0 in August 2011.

San Marino v England
England have won their three previous meetings with San Marino, all in World Cup qualifiers, netting 18 times and conceding just once.
An England player has netted four goals in two of the Three Lions' three previous clashes with the European minnows (David Platt and Ian Wright).
England's average of six goals per game against San Marino is their joint-best against any of the 87 different nations they have faced in international football (level with Jamaica).
The Three Lions have lost only one of 13 internationals under Roy Hodgson (W8 D4).
Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in his last three internationals combined.
England, who lost their last away game 2-4 in Sweden, have not lost consecutive internationals on the road since 1993, when they lost three in a row under Graham Taylor. Interestingly, they ended this run with a 7-1 victory in San Marino.
The Three Lions have won eight and lost just one of their last 11 away qualifiers (Word Cup & Euro), drawing two.
Tom Cleverley made 145 and completed 140 passes in England's reverse meeting with San Marino at Wembley in October, both records for England since Opta started full analysis of England's fixtures.
Danny Welbeck has scored five goals from just five shots on target at international level.
San Marino have lost their last 50 internationals, scoring only seven goals in total in that run.

League 1 Opta Facts - 19 March

Bury v Stevenage
Stevenage have gone four games unbeaten against Bury (W2 D2); scoring 10 goals in the process.
Bury haven't won at home in four games (L4), and they've only recorded one victory in their last eight games (D1 L6).
The Shakers have conceded 36 goals in the second half of matches this season; a joint-high in the division.
Stevenage haven't won away from home in five games (L5).
The Boro have lost five times from winning positions this season. No-one has lost more from such positions.

Crewe v MK Dons
Crewe are yet to beat MK Dons in three league fixtures (D2 L1). Their only previous victory over MK Dons came in the FA Cup in 2007.
The Railwaymen have received 30 yellow cards this season; a league-low.
MK Dons have gone six games without an away win (D4 L2); their worst such run of the season.
Crewe haven't won in three attempts at the Alexandra Stadium (D1 L2).
MK Dons have scored 41% of their goals in the second half (21 of 50); a league-low proportion.

Oldham v Hartlepool
Oldham have won their last two games against Hartlepool (2-1 & 1-0).
Oldham have conceded 32% of their goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches this season (16 of 50); a league-high proportion.
Hartlepool's Scott Flinders has made more saves (150) than any other League One goalkeeper so far this season.
Hartlepool haven't won in four games (D2 L2).
The Latics are yet to lose from a winning position at home this season (W5 D1).

Yeovil v Swindon
Swindon have picked up one win in five (D2 L2). Similarly, Yeovil have also won once in their last five (D3 L1).
Swindon have kept eight clean sheets away from home this season. No-one has kept more.
Swindon have conceded four goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches this season; a league-low.
Yeovil striker Paddy Madden has more braces (5) this season than any other player in League One. He is yet to bag a hat-trick this season.