International Break - World Cup Qualifiers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification

Group A is seemingly set in stone, with Belgium and Croatia fighting out for the automatic qualifying birth. The gameweeks big match is the fiery encounter of Serbia v Croatia; any dropped points for Croatia will surely result in Belgium taking top spot, while Serbia have to win and hope results go their way. Wales and Macedonia are not mathematically out but need a near miracle, eyes on Gareth Bale there. Scotland are playing for pride under Strachan, and should be up for a big home game v Belgium

Italy top Group B however, they still have 4 reasonably challenging games for them to contest, but they should make it. The real fight is for 2nd. Remarkably Denmark are struggling, winning just one out of their 6 matches, and getting drubbed 4-0 at home to Armenia in their last match. Armenia shot themselves in the foot too by somehow losing to Malta. Anything could happen here the group is so tight, Denmark have a real chance of getting back in it if they can win both their matches against Malta and Armenia, with both the Czechs and Bulgaria playing Italy.

Germany practically assured of qualification, Group C also revolves around the runners up spot. Ireland play both major rivals Sweden and Austria this week, a massive chance for them to capitalise as Austria also have to go away to Germany, then next month Sweden and Austria play.

Holland will wrap up top spot this week by beating Estonia and Andorra, keeping a 100% record. Turkey have flopped so this campaign, but can make up ground v Andorra. However, the biggest game of the week goes to Romania v Hungary, the winner having a real chance of 2nd. Both have Estonia and Andorra to come afterwards, the other games being Romania hosting Turkey, while Hungary travel to Holland. I'd like to see Vlad Chiriches happy

Group E is a weak group, and wide open, with Switzerland having already played the weakest team, Cyprus, twice. Norway have flopped so far, a big game v Switzerland on the 10th. Albania somehow find themselves in the play-off spot, with Iceland challenging. Slovenia have tough games to come, unlikely to repeat their 2010 triumph.

Russia are second in Group F at the moment but will qualify if they beat Luxembourg twice, Azerbaijan, and Israel. Northern Ireland have little chance, however can do wonders for Israel if they can a result v Portugal, Russia v Israel the big game of the week in Group F as it could determine first and second.

Group G is another weak group, Bosnia currently topping it. However, they have 2 massive games v Slovakia this week, whereas low scoring Greece play Liechtenstein and Latvia. A real opportunity for Greece to take the initiative and top the group, and one for Slovakia to put themselves back in contention.

Undoubtedly the biggest game of the week in Group H is England's trip to Ukraine. Lose, or even draw, and it could be too much for England to come back from, with Ukraine yet to play San Marino. The groups other big game this week is Poland hosting Montenegro. Could do with a draw here, a resurgent Poland coming to Wembley for the final game screams elimination.

Group I is straightforward. Spain simply have to beat Finland, Belarus and Georgia to qualify. However, they were held at home to Finland a few months back, and it took them until the 86th minute to beat Georgia, so perhaps with the pressure on them they could allow France to capitalise.

Asian qualifying - Jordan and Uzbekistan fight in a 2 legged play-off for the right to South America's 5th placed team

Which at the moment, is Uruguay. Argentina should seal qualification by beating bottom placed Paraguay. Colombia (2nd) this week should qualify, but have 2 tough opponents in Ecuador (3rd place) and Uruguay. Defeat for Uruguay could scupper their hopes of 5th, and open the door for Venezuela, who I believe have never qualified. They themselves however have a difficult game against Chile

3 teams qualify from CONCACAF, and another goes to a play-off v New Zealand. The top 3 at the moment is USA, Costa Rica, and Mexico, with Honduras in 4th. Big game this week is USA v Mexico, the pressure really on Mexico whereas USA look certain to qualify. Honduras and Panama also face off in a game which could decide the play-off spot.

African qualifying is made up of 10 groups of 4 , with the winner of each group proceeding to 5 seeded play-offs. So far, Ivory Coast, Algeria, and Egypt are through to the next round. The rest depend on

CAF v Ethiopia (Ethiopia win and they're through, dropped points leaves door open for South Africa)
Tunisia v Cape Verde (Cape Verde must win)
Ghana v Zambia (Zambia must win to qualify)
Burkina Faso v Gabon, Niger v Congo (Congo win to qualify)
Nigeria v Malawi (Malawi must win)
Cameroon v Libya (Libya must win)
Senegal v Uganda (Uganda must win)