26.03. (Tue) 21:00 France - Spain

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FRANCE
Lloris
Jallet, Varane, Sakho, Evra
Pogba, Matuidi, Cabaye
Valbuena, Giroud, Ribery

SPAIN
Valdes
Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Monreal
Xavi, Busquets, Alonso
Pedro, Fabregas, Iniesta

France have no fresh injury worries ahead of Tuesday's vital World Cup qualifier against Spain at Stade de France.

Coach Didier Deschamps is set to revert to a 4-3-3 formation, with Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud expected to spearhead the attack ahead of the out-of-form Karim Benzema.

Patrice Evra and Yohan Cabaye are likely to return to the starting line-up after being unused substitutes in the 3-1 win over Georgia, while youngsters Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba may keep their place in the side after solid debuts.

Defender Jordi Alba is unavailable for Spain after picking up a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw against Finland.

David Silva also misses out through suspension, but fellow playmaker Xavi, who missed the game in Gijon with a hamstring problem, was able to train with the squad on Saturday and is expected to start.

DID YOU KNOW?

France are on a 13-match unbeaten run in World Cup and European Championship qualifiers (W9, D4).
Les Bleus have won just one of their last six encounters against Spain, losing four.

Mathieu Valbuena has scored three goals in his last three appearances for France.

Spain are on a 19-match unbeaten run (W14, D5) stretching back to November 2011.

The Iberian outfit have won their last four away matches, including friendlies.

Vicente del Bosque overtook Ladislao Kubala's record for overseeing the most number of games as Spain boss in Friday's qualifier against Finland. The 62-year-old has taken charge of 69 internationals, winning 57.

Prediction
Spain's shock draw against Finland means they will have to go out and win at the Stade de France or risk losing out on automatic qualification for next year's tournament in Brazil. France took control of the group with a straightforward win over Georgia and will hope the momentum from that result will carry them over the line on Tuesday.

Editor's Prediction
France 1-1 Spain

26.03. (Tue) 21:00 Bolivia - Argentina

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BOLIVIA
Galarza
Jimenez, Raldes, Zenteno, Gutierrez, B'rano
Chumacero, Garcia, Veizaga
Moreno, Saucedo

ARGENTINA
Romero
Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo
Mascherano, Banega, Di Maria
Messi, Higuain, Lavezzi

A devastating 5-0 defeat away to Colombia on Friday was compounded for Bolivia by an injury to goalkeeper Carlos Arias, who came off in Barranquilla after conceding the first goal. A muscular complaint keeps the shot-stopper out, and he will be replaced by Sergio Galarza. One piece of good news for the hosts is the return of defender Ronald Raldes, who served a suspension in the last fixture.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella is keeping the team for Tuesday closely under wraps, as the trainer considers how to play best at 3,500m above sea level in La Paz. Two changes, however, appear inevitable. Fernando Gago was ruled out due to a muscle strain, leaving the door open for Ever Banega to start after replacing the Velez man on Friday; Angel Di Maria, meanwhile, completed a one-game suspension against Venezuela and will return to the first-team in place of Walter Montillo.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bolivia are one of four South American nations to have changed coach during the qualifying campaign. Paraguay, Chile and Colombia all sacked trainers during the first half of the competition, as did World Cup hosts Brazil.

La Verde have made just one appearance at a World Cup finals, in 1994.

The nation's home stadium, Hernando Siles, is one of the highest football arenas in the world, at 3637m above sea level. In 2007 Fifa briefly banned games from La Paz due to the altitude, but relented after fierce protests.

Hernando Siles was the site of 2009's 6-1 destruction of Argentina, one of five wins overall for Bolivia on home soil against the Albiceleste - they have six in total.

One Argentine star who will be especially keen to take revenge is Angel Di Maria . The Real Madrid man saw red in 2009 as Diego Maradona's charges collapsed to defeat.

Lionel Messi also has unfinished business with the Verde. Tuesday's hosts are the only Conmebol side who have not conceded a goal from the Barcelona magician.

Currently top of the Conmebol standings, Argentina require just three wins from their last six clashes to be certain of qualifying, regardless of any other results.

Prediction
La Paz is rarely a happy hunting-ground for Argentina, but a victory will be expected against a demoralised Verde. The away side may suffer at altitude, but they should have enough to record a narrow triumph.

Editor's Prediction
Bolivia 2-3 Argentina

26.03. (Tue) 21:00 Montenegro - England

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MONTENEGRO
M. Bozovic
V. Bozovic, Basa, Savic, Volkov
Zverotic, Novakovic, Vukcevic
Kasalica, Vucinic, Jovetic

ENGLAND
Hart
Johnson, Smalling, Lescott, Cole
Gerrard, Cleverley
Milner, Rooney, Young
Defoe

Montenegro look set to retain the bulk of the team that saw off Moldova 1-0 on Friday, however, Mitar Novakovic could step in for the suspended Milorad Pekovic, who was dismissed against Moldova on Friday.

That absence only serves to heighten Montenegro's midfield-related woes as midfielders Nikola Drincic and Branko Boskovic have already been ruled out of tie with injuries.

Savo Pavicevic is also suspended having picked up a booking against Moldova, meaning that Vladimir Bozovic is likely to deputise at right-back with Simon Vukcevic coming into the midfield.

Various players rested for the 8-0 mauling of San Marino look likely to return, with Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and James Milner set to start at the expense of Kyle Walker, Leighton Baines, Frank Lampard and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Jermain Defoe, meanwhile, looks set to retain his place after bagging a double in the routine rout against the Sammarinese, with both Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge likely to have to make do with a place on the bench.

Chris Smalling and Joleon Lescott are also expected to continue their partnership at the heart of defence in Montenegro after a quiet evening's work on Friday.

DID YOU KNOW?

Both of the previous encounters between Montenegro and England have ended in draws; the first a 0-0 draw at Wembley in October 2010, while the second, a year later, ended 2-2, with Wayne Rooney infamously dismissed for lashing out at Miodrag Dzudovic.

Mirko Vucinic is his country's leading goalscorer since claiming independence in 2006 with 14 goals in 30 games. Vucinic is 27/10 with BetVictor to score at any time in this game.

The home side have also been in fine form defensively, having kept four consecutive clean sheets, though two of those were against San Marino, the others being 1-0 wins over Ukraine and Moldova.

England, meanwhile, have been in fine form offensively; they are currently the highest scorers in the European section of the 2014 World Cup Qualification Phase with 20 goals, 13 of which were scored against San Marino.

They have also had the most different scorers in Group H as nine separate players have netted for their home country over the course of the five games played thus far (Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, James Milner, Leighton Baines, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ashley Young and Daniel Sturridge).

Though unlikely to start here, Welbeck has been in prolific international form; the Manchester United striker has had five shots on target for England - and scored all of them.

26.03. (Tue) 20:45 Malta - Italy

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MALTA
Hogg
Caruana, Agius, Dimech, Camilleri
Muscat, Failla, R.Fenech, Herrera
Schembri
Mifsud

ITALY
Buffon
Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci, De Sciglio
Montolivo, Pirlo, Giaccherini
Marchisio
Balotelli, El Shaarawy

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli can welcome back Claudio Marchisio and Ignazio Abate for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malta after the pair missed the 2-2 friendly draw with Brazil on Thursday.

Abate is vying with Napoli's Christian Maggio for the right-back role, whilst Marchisio is expected to come into the midfield in place of the suspended Daniele De Rossi. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo also misses out through suspension, meaning that Stephan El Shaarawy could partner his AC Milan team-mate Mario Balotelli up front.

Mattia De Sciglio is expected to maintain his spot at left-back after impressing on his international debut, whilst Giorgio Chiellini is also pushing for a start. Gianluigi Buffon is set for his 126th Azzurri cap between the sticks and Alessandro Florenzi has joined the squad from the Under-21 set-up.

Malta coach Pietro Ghedin could be tempted to make changes to the side which were crushed 6-0 by Bulgaria on Friday evening.

Roderick Briffa and Paul Fenech were both substituted in that defeat and their replacements Ryan Camilleri and Rowen Muscat could be in line for starting berths.

Michael Mifsud, Malta's leading all-time goalscorer with 36 goals, is once again set to lead the front line and is looking for his first goal in qualifying.

DID YOU KNOW?

Milan striker Mario Balotelli , who scored Italy's equaliser in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Brazil, has notched eight goals in eight games for club and country in 2013.

Malta are managed by Pietro Ghedin, who between 1996-2004, was the assistant coach of the Italian national team.

Italy have played the archipelago nation on five occasions, winning all the ties by a combined score of 17-2.

In the reverse fixture back in September, the Azzurri emerged 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Mattia Destro and Federico Peluso. However, both players have been omitted from Prandelli's squad selection this time around.

Malta are yet to register a point in 2014 World Cup qualifying, having lost all four of their opening group matches and scoring a solitary goal in the process.

In the most recent Fifa world rankings, Italy are ranked fifth and Malta 147th.

Prediction
Cesare Prandelli's side produced an impressive second-half display to fight back from two goals down against Brazil on Thursday and if the Azzurri can show the same fight and quality here, it should be enough to see off the challenge of a winless Malta.

Editor's Prediction
Malta 0-3 Italy

26.03. (Tue) 20:45 Germany - Kazakhstan

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GERMANY
Neuer
Lahm, Mertesacker, Howedes, Schmelzer
Khedira, Gundogan
Muller, Ozil, Reus
Gotze

KAZAKHSTAN
Sidelnikov
Gurman, Logvienko, Dmitrenko, Kirov
Nurdauletov, Korobkin
Dzolchiyev, Konysbaev, Schmidtgal
Ostapenko

Germany are expected to make two changes to the team that beat Kazakhstan 3-0 on Friday. Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended and will have to wait to win his 99th cap. Either Sven Bender or Ilkay Gundogan will replace him.

Julian Draxler has been forced to pull out of the squad due to concussion, but Marco Reus is available after suspension and will replace him on the left wing ahead of Lukas Podolski.

Kazakhstan, meanwhile, could make a few changes to the side that lost in Astana. Valeri Korobkin will come in for Baurzhan Dzholchiyev in midfield after an encouraging performance off the bench.

Ulan Konysbayev will replace Marat Khairullin, but Sergey Ostapenko will continue up front.

DID YOU KNOW?

Germany's clean sheet in Astana was only their second in a competitive match since the 1-0 win over Portugal in their opening game of Euro 2012.

Thomas Muller has scored in his last two Nationalelf appearances, having previously failed to find the target for his country in 15 months.

Germany have still not conceded a goal to Kazakhstan since the disbandment of the Soviet Union.
This match comes on the two-year anniversary of Kazakhstan's last trip to Germany. They lost 4-0 in Kaiserslautern.

Heinrich Schmidtgal represents Nurnberg's Bavarian rivals Greuther Furth. He moved to Germany at the age of two.

None of the 23-man Soviet Union squad for Euro 1972, who lost in the final to West Germany, were of Kazakh descent.

Prediction
Germany will be on a high following their win on Friday and having recorded a convincing victory over Kazakhstan on home turf two years ago, they should do the same again on Tuesday.

Editor's Prediction
Germany 4-0 Kazakhstan

26.03. (Tue) 20:45 Wales - Croatia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WALES
Myhill
Gunter, Ricketts, Williams, Davies
King, Ledley, Collison, Bale
Bellamy, Robson-Kanu

CROATIA
Pletikosa
Srna, Corluka, Vida, Strinic
Vukojevic, Radosevic
Modric, Rakitic
Mandzukic, Jelavic

Chris Coleman should not have to contend with too many injuries for the visit of Croatia, but two key men will definitely miss out.

A red card against Scotland means Aaron Ramsey will be unavailable, while Joe Allen (shoulder) is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

However, Coleman does have some good news as Gareth Bale and David Vaughan are both available.

Igor Stimac will likely make changes to the side that beat Serbia, with veterans Ivica Olic and Josip Simunic both appearing against Sinisa Mihajlovic's side, while the latter is also carrying a knock.

Defender Simunic has been given the all-clear to play, but Stimac may not risk the 35-year-old and instead pick Domagoj Vida, while Olic's replacement will most likely be Nikica Jelavic.

Elsewhere, Niko Kranjcar (knee) is expected to miss out meaning that Josip Radosevic could take his place, or Mateo Kovacic may play in a slightly different role.

DID YOU KNOW?

If Wales pick up a win on Tuesday, they will be four points behind Croatia with four matches to play.

After the win over Scotland, a victory against the Croatians would see Wales complete back-to-back competitive wins for the first time since Gary Speed's final two matches in charge.

The last time the two sides met, Igor Stimac's side came out on top with a 2-0 win.

Croatia dominated proceedings when they faced Wales in October, maintaining 76 per cent of possession.

Tuesday's match will be only the second time these sides have played each other in competitive competition.

Josip Simunic, Stipe Pletikosa and Darijo Srna could all win their 102nd caps against Wales.

Of the current squad, only Eduardo da Silva with 26 goals has scored more times for Croatia than right-back Srna , who has 20. The Shakhtar Donetsk man is 11/2 with BetVictor to score at any time in this match.

Sixty per cent of Wales' goals in this qualification campaign have come in the final 15 minutes of matches. Croatia, however, have not scored at all in that section of matches.

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