11.10. (Tue) 20:00 Ghana - Nigeria

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GHANA Kwarasey Paintsil, Mensah, Vorsah, Opare Boateng, Asamoah, Agyemang-Badu, Muntari Adiyiah, Gyan

NIGERIA Aiyenugba Taiwo, Yobo, Ambrose, Ogude Mikel, Joel Obi, Obasi Odemwingie, Emenike, Nsofor

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday after they drew 2-2 with Guinea in Abuja. Players and officials have spoken about using this game as redemption for the weekend's woeful outing.
Ghana come into this game on the back of a 2-0 victory against Sudan in Omdurman that ensured they booked their ticket to next year's Afcon where they look to be one of the favourites for the title after the other big teams (Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa and Algeria) failed to qualify.
Ghana will be without the services of No. 1 Richard Kingson and forward Andre Ayew. Nigeria will have Nosa Igiebor, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ugo Ukah and Emmanuel Ekpo join up in London.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Ghana and Nigeria have played 58 international matches.

• Ghana have won 23 times while Nigeria have 16 wins with 19 drawn games.

• Asamoah Gyan is the highest scorer in the Ghanaian squad with 27 goals in 48 matches.

• Ikechukwu Uche has scored 12 goals in 31 appearances for Nigeria.

• Nigeria have lost the last three games between both countries.

• Ghana have played in the quarter-finals of the World Cup while Nigeria have reached the second round twice.

• Both teams have won six African Cup of Nations titles between them, Ghana four times and two crowns to Nigeria.

Prediction

Editor's Prediction
Ghana 2-1 Nigeria

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11.10. (Tue) 19:00 Germany - Belgium

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GERMANY Neuer Howedes, Mertesacker, Hummels, Lahm KhediraMuller, Ozil, Kroos, Schurrle Gomez

BELGIUM Mignolet Ciman, Lombaerts, Kompany, Vertonghen Simons, Witsel Dembele, Hazard, Mertens Lukaku

Joachim Low will be without Lazio striker Miroslav Klose, who once again complained of pain in his knee. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng are doubtful for the game as they picked up minor knocks last week and are likely to start from the bench.

Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil is set to return after recovering from the ankle injury which kept him out of the game against Turkey. Toni Kroos has also finished his recuperation and is expected to start against Belgium, while debutant Ilkay Gundogan will most probably be named as a substitute.

Georges Leekens' main concern ahead of the clash is the suspension of Daniel Van Buyten, who has picked up his second yellow card of the Euro 2012 qualification campaign and will miss out on a reunion with his Bayern Munich colleagues on Tuesday.

Zenit St Peterburg centre-back Nicolas Lombaerts is expected to step in for the ex-Hamburg man, who will be forced to watch from the stands with David Hubert (stomach complaint). Jelle Vossen (ankle injury), Marvin Ogunjimi (knee injury) are rated doubtful for the game, while Igor de Camargo has withdrawn from the squad due to fitness problems.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Germany have not lost at home to Belgium in 101 years. Coincidentally, the Red Devils only victory away from home against the DFB-team was in the first ever game between the two countries, back in 1910.
• A goal by Miroslav Klose proved to be difference between two sides in their last clash. This time around the Lazio striker is injured and will not take part.

• Joachim Low's men have won all of their matches in Group A, and have already booked their place for Euro 2012. They are one victory away from setting a national record for best performance in the qualifying stage.

• Belgium need a victory to secure the play-off spot in Group A. If Azerbaijan do not lose against Turkey, a draw will be enough for Georges Leekens' men.

• The Red Devils have not won in an official game against Germany for 57 years.

• Belgium played against West Germany in the Euro 1980 final, losing 2-1 with Horst Hrubesch scoring a dramatic late winner to round off his brace after his opener was cancelled out by Rene Vandereycken's 75th minute spot-kick.

Prediction

Germany are in inspired form, and are set to field a full-strength team. Joachim Low's side are gunning for a perfect 10 wins out of 10 in Group  A, and despite the need of the visitors, they should secure the result that guarantees an unprecedented campaign.

Editor's Prediction

Germany 2-0 Belgium

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Euro 2012 Qualifying Preview: Groups A-D

Group A	KO	Group F	KO
Kazakhstan - Austria	1800	Malta - Israel	1900
Germany - Belgium	1900	Georgia - Greece	1900
Turkey - Azerbaijan	1900
Group B		Group G
Macedonia - Slovakia	1945	Bulgaria - Wales	2005
Rep. Ireland - Armenia	1945	Switzerland - Montenegro	2015
Russia - Andorra	1945
Group C		Group H
Italy - Northern Ireland	2045	Denmark - Portugal	2015
Slovenia - Serbia	2045	Norway - Cyprus	2015
Group D		Group I
France - Bosnia	2100	Lithuania - Czech Republic	2045
Albania - Romania	2100	Spain - Scotland	2045
Group E
Hungary - Finland	2000
Moldova - San Marino	2000
Sweden - Netherlands	2015

GROUP A
Kazakhstan	vs	Austria

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Loginovskiy Kirov, Mukhtarov, Nurdauletov, Rozhkov K'yev, K'povich, S'metov, Y'neev, Muzhikov Khizhnichenko		Grunwald Dag, Scharner, Prodl, Fuchs  Baumgartlinger, DragovicArnautovic, Ivanschitz, Alaba Janko
KEY FACTS
Neither side can now reach Euro 2012 after poor campaigns. Kazakhstan will want to take revenge for a 2-0 defeat to Austria in September, after being hit with two late strikes.		Austria ended a three-match winless run on Friday against Azerbaijan. Their previous qualifier against the Kazakhs was their first-ever meeting.

Germany

vs

Belgium

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Fresh from their convincing victory in Kazakhstan, Belgium face a steep task to rubber-stamp their place in the Euro 2012 play-offs by bettering Turkey's result against Germany, who have a 100 per cent record in qualification.

Turkey

vs

Azerbaijan

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Demirel Gonul, Cetin, Korkmaz, Balta M. Aurelio, Inan Altintop, Turan, Sarioglu Yilmaz		Agayev Nabiyev, Sadygov, Allahverdiyev, Huseynov  Aliyev, A'guliyev, Budak, Ismayilov Javadov Nadirov
KEY FACTS
Turkey's hopes of featuring in the play-offs took a blow with a 3-1 loss to group winners Germany. They must hope Belgium don't pick up three points against Germany in order to still have a chance of progression. Even if Turkey draw in the event of Belgium not winning, they will still progress in second place due to a better head-to-head record.		Azerbaijan have won just once in eight matches with their Turkish neighbours; a 1-0 victory in Euro 2012 qualifying, courtesy of captain Rashad Sadygov. However the Azeris are yet to score a goal on Turkish soil. Before their 3-2 win over Kazakhstan in September, they had not won in eight, losing seven consecutively.

GROUP B		Table/Results
Russia	vs	Andorra

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Malafeev Anyukov, V. B'skiy, Ignashevich, Zhirkov Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov Dzagoev, Pavlyuchenko, Arshavin		Gomes Martinez, Lima, E. Garcia, Bernaus Vieira, Sonejee, Ayala, Pujol Silva, Moreno
EY FACTS
Russia's 1-0 win over Slovakia puts them in touching distance of qualification. Although a routine win would seal their status as Group B winners, a draw would also be enough, as they possess a better head-to-head record against Ireland. Russia have won all five of their past encounters with Andorra.		Andorra are seeking their first points in European Championship qualifying after 39 matches. They have not scored in their last three meetings with the hosts. However, they almost caused an upset in November 2007, where Russia had to fight for a 1-0 win over their Andorran counterparts to qualify for Euro 2008.

Republic of Ireland

vs

Armenia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Given O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, O'Dea McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff Long, Doyle		Berezovsky A'sanyan, H'petyan, Hovsepyan, Yuspashyan Edigaryan, Mkrtchyan, Pizzelli, Mkhitaryan Movsisyan, Ghazaryan
KEY FACTS
Robbie Keane is a major doubt for the hosts, with one of Shane Long, Simon Cox and Jonathan Walters ready to replace him. Stephen Ward is out through suspension, but Richard Dunne is welcomed back into the fold after missing the Andorra victory. Giovanni Trapattoni's side need just a point to make the play-offs, but could yet qualify as champions if Russia lose to Andorra and they win.		Armenia must win to reach the play-offs, but cannot qualify as champions of Group B, even if Russia somehow lose. Vardan Minasyan's side are on a three-game winning streak, scoring 11 goals against Andorra, Slovakia and Macedonia. Armenia have never played at the Aviva Stadium, nor its predecessor Lansdowne Road.

Macedonia

vs

Slovakia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Bogatinov Popov, Sikov, Noveski G'vski, M'rem, Gjurovski, Demiri, M. Ivanovski F. Ivanovski, Trickovski		Mucha Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Hubocan Karhan, Kucka Stoch, Hamsik, Jendrisek Holosko
KEY FACTS
Macedonia will want to finish on a winning note, despite already confirming fifth place in Group B. They have never beaten Slovakia on five occasions, losing both ties in Skopje and failing to score in the last two.		Slovakia's hopes of featuring in successive major tournaments ended after their 1-0 loss to Russia. They have not won in their last three, losing their last two while failing to register a single goal. Before their two wins over Andorra in March and June, their last qualifying win came on the second matchday.

GROUP C		Table/Results
Italy	vs	Northern Ireland

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With nothing to play for at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday, it should prove to be a good workout for Cesare Prandelli's Group C winners against Northern Ireland, who blew their chances of qualification with defeat to Estonia.

Slovenia

vs

Serbia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Handanovic Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic Birsa, Bacinovic, Radosavljevic, Ilicic Vrsic, Matavz		Jorgacevic Ivanovic, Subotic, Rajkovic, Kolarov Stankovic, Ninkovic, Petrovic Krasic, Pantelic, Tosic
KEY FACTS
Slovenia have lost three of their first four home games in Group C. They have drawn all five previous meetings with Serbia and past incarnations, including twice in Slovenia. Before their win over Faroe Islands in June, Slovenia's last qualifying win was in October 2010.		Serbia must beat Slovenia to progress to the Euro 2012 play-offs, as their head-to-head with Estonia is inferior. They are unbeaten in their past five qualifiers, with their last defeat coming in their abandoned encounter with Italy back in October. Serbia have never won in Ljubljana.

GROUP D		Table/Results
France	vs	Bosnia

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Despite both teams already qualifying for the play-offs, it promises to be a titanic bout in Paris as the winner will be given the Group D crown and progress directly into next year's showpiece.

Albania

vs

Romania

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Ujkani Vangjeli, Lila, Cana, Dallku Muzaka, Lika, Hyka, Roshi Duro Salihi		Pantilimon Matel, Moti, Tamas, Rat Torje, Bourceanu, Lazar, Cristea Mutu, Marica
KEY FACTS
Albania have not won at home to Romania in 65 years, their last triumph a 1-0 win in 1946. Accordingly, they have lost their last five home meetings with the Romanians. Albania have nothing to play for, with fifth place already confirmed.		Romanian hopes of Euro 2012 participation ended on Friday, after drawing 2-2 versus Belarus. Like their hosts, their finishing position has also been pre-determined, as they will finish in third spot. Romania have won 10 times against Albania from 14 meetings, with a 6-1 victory during Euro 2008 qualifying their most emphatic.

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Euro 2012 Qualifying Preview: Groups E-I

Group A	KO	Group F	KO
Kazakhstan - Austria	1800	Croatia - Latvia	1900
Germany - Belgium	1900	Georgia - Greece	1900
Turkey - Azerbaijan	1900	Malta - Israel	1900
Group B		Group G
Russia - Andorra	1945	Bulgaria - Wales	2005
Rep. Ireland - Armenia	1945	Switzerland - Montenegro	2015
Macedonia - Slovakia	1945
Group C		Group H
Italy - Northern Ireland	2045	Denmark - Portugal	2015
Slovenia - Serbia	2045	Norway - Cyprus	2015
Group D		Group I
France - Bosnia	2100	Spain - Scotland	2045
Albania - Romania	2100	Lithuania - Czech Republic	2045
Group E		all kick-offs are in CET
Sweden - Netherlands	2000
Hungary - Finland	2000
Moldova - San Marino	2000

GROUP E
Sweden	vs	Netherlands

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The Netherlands secured top spot in Group E after a narrow win against Moldova on Friday, whilst Sweden were assured of second spot after coming out 2-1 winners against Finland. .

Hungary

vs

Finland

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Kiraly Pinter, Vanczak, Juhasz, Korcsmar Hajnal, Elek Varga, Gera, Dzsudzsak Szabics		Hradecky Moisander, Toivio, Arkivou, Raitala Vayrynen, Eremenko, Sparv, Rin Hamalainen, Pukki
KEY FACTS
Hungary can no longer qualify for the finals next summer after Sweden defeated Finland on Friday. Recovering injured duo Zloten Gera & Balazs Dzsudzsak have been included in the squad to play Finland. Hungary secured a 2-1 victory over the Finns in the reverse fixture last year.		Peparim Hetemaj is available after serving his one match suspension which meant he missed the defeat to Sweden on Friday. Finland lost the first contest between these two teams in 1922 when Hungary ran out 5-1 winners in Helsinki. The Finns have never defeated Hungary when playing in Budapest.

Moldova

vs

San Marino

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Namasco Armas, Golovatenco, Bulgaru, Epureanu, Racu Cebotaru, Ivanov, Cheptene Suvorov, Alexeev		Ceccoli Albani, Bacclocchi, Della Valle, Vannucci Bolini, Cervellini Benedettini, Coppini, Vitaioli Selva
KEY FACTS
Moldova coach Gavril Balint has recalled Semion Bulgaru to the squad for the first time since last October. Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Stanislav Ivanov is fit again to take his place, although he didn't feature against the Netherlands. Moldova managed a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.		San Marino are yet to pick up a single point in the current qualifying campaign. Nicola Albani, Alex Della Valle and Federico Nanni return to the squad, alongside Maicol Berretti, after all missed the games against the Netherlands and Sweden. Keeper Federico Valentini is suspended along with Davide Simoncini, Fabio Vitaioli and Andrea Moroni.

GROUP F		Table/Results
Croatia	vs	Latvia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Pletikosa Corluka, Lovren, Simunic, Strinic Srna, Vukojevic, Modric, Kranjcar Mandzukic, Eduardo		Vanins Gorkss, Klava, Mihadjuks, Ivanovs Laizans, Cauna, Visnakovs Verpakovskis, Lukjanovs, Rudnevs
KEY FACTS
Croatia's loss to Greece on Friday means that they must hope the Greek side fail to equal or better their result on the final match day. Slaven Bilic's side have a 100 per cent record against Latvia in all competitions. Darijo Srna is available for selection after missing the loss against Greece on Friday night but Kalinic will miss the match after picking up a booking.		Jurijs Zigajevs will miss the remaining Euro 2012 qualifiers after suffering a knee injury which will keep him sidelined for six months. Latvia lost to Croatia earlier in the campaign by a 3-0 scoreline with the goals coming from Petric, Olic and Srna. The Latvians have won two of their four away games in qualifying thus far.

Georgia

vs

Greece

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Sepiashvili Kashia, Kaladze, Grigalava, Amisulashivi Ananidze, Kankava, Kobiashvili, Targamadze Martsvaladze, Iashvili		Tzorvas Papas'oulos, Papa'os, Torosidis, Z'doukas Tziolos, Karagounis, Katsouranis Gekas, Salpingidis Charisteas
KEY FACTS
Georgia cannot qualify for the finals next summer but have a significant impact on who will progress as group winners when the face leaders Greece on Tuesday. David Devderiani and Alexander Kobakhidze were both omitted from the squad after picking up injuries, with coach Temuri Ketsbaia replacing them with Alexandre Koshkadze and Irakli Maisuradze. Maisuradze and goalkeeper Konstantin Sepiashvili are in line to make their international debuts.		Greece will finish as group winners if they equal or better Croatia's result after the Greek side ran out 2-0 winners on Friday. Despite not featuring in that win, Angelos Charisteas - returning to the squad for the first time since 2010 - will hope to play some part against Georgia, because Georgios Samaras is suspended. Greece are unbeaten away from home in the current qualifying campaign.

Malta

vs

Israel

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Hogg Borg, Agius, Sciberras, Fenech Failla, Briffa, Hutchinson, Pace Schembri, Cohen		Aouate Gershon, Twatha, Bondarv, Ziv Khutaba, Cohen, Refaelov, Kayal Barda, Hemed
KEY FACTS
Malta succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Latvia in the last match with the islanders missing two of their key players. Andrew Cohen and Clayton Failla will miss the match against Israel through suspension. Malta have drawn twice against Israel, both times away from Valetta - the European minnows have yet to take anything from Israel when playing at home.		Israel can no longer qualify for the finals, with Greece and Croatia eventually proving too strong for the Blue & Whites. Defender Tal Ben Haim, Eran Zahavi and Omri Ben Harush miss Israel's last match through suspension. Captain Yossi Benayoun, who scored a hat-trick the last time these two teams met, has been ruled out through injury.

GROUP G		Table/Results
Bulgaria	vs	Wales

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Neither side can qualify for the finals next summer but the Welsh will hope to continue on their current fine form which has seen them win their last two matches.

Switzerland

vs

Montenegro

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Benaglio Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Klose, Ziegler Shaqiri, Inler, Xhaka, Behrami Derdiyok, Frei		Bozovic Bozovic, Savic, Dzudovic, Zverotic Beciraj, Pekovic, Vukcevic, Kascelan Jovetic, Delibasic
KEY FACTS
Switzerland saw their faint hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012 distinguished on Friday after losing against Wales as Montenegro picked up a point against England. Reto Ziegler will miss the match after being sent off in the defeat to Wales. The return of Valon Behrami from suspension and Steve von Bergen from injury did nothing to prevent Wales beating the Swiss in Swansea.		Montenegro secured second place in Group G after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 against England on Friday night. Football's youngest nation were jubilant after Delibasic's injury-time header against England meant Montenegro have the chance to qualify for Euro 2012 via the play-offs. A host of players picked up late bookings against England, including Vucinic who will miss the match against Switzerland as a result.

GROUP H		Table/Results
Denmark	vs	Portugal

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In one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches of the final round it is a winner-takes-all scenario with the victorious team guaranteed a place in Poland & Ukraine next summer.

Norway

vs

Cyprus

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Jarstein Hogli, Waehler, Demidov, Ruud Huseklepp, Tettey, Nordtvelt, Riise Carew, Abdellaoue		Giorgallides Merkis, Plagias, Dobrasinovic, Poursaitidis Avraam, Satsias, Charalambides, Demetriou Christofi, Alexandrou
KEY FACTS
Norway have a slim chance of finishing second in Group H; to do so Denmark must defeat Portugal and they themselves need to win against Cyprus. The Norwegians must also reverse a goal difference of nine - in Portugal's favour - to qualify for the finals. They must do so without suspended duo Brede Hangeland and Braaten.		Cyprus are searching for their first win in the competition when they travel to Norway on Tuesday. SS Barletta Calcio defender Georgios Pelagias's call-up makes him the only player in Nikos Nioplias's squad to be plying his trade outside of Cyprus. There is a place for debutant Andreas Stavrou also whilst Elias Charalambous has been recalled.

GROUP I		Table/Results
Spain	vs	Scotland

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Scotland can guarantee themselves second spot with a win against the current World and European Champions on Tuesday, but they could still finish behind Spain should they match the Czech Republic's result against Lithuania.

Lithuania

vs

Czech Republic

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Karcemarskas Cesnauskis, Zaliukas, Stankevicius, Kilmav's Radavicius, Mikoliunas, Novikovas, Pilibatis Danilevicius, Sernas		Cech Gebreselassie, Kadlec, Hubnik, Sivok Pudil, Rosicky, Pospech, Kolar Jiracek, Baros
KEY FACTS
Lithuania are sure of a fourth-place finish in Group I whatever the result against the Czech Republic. Deividas Semberas and Edgaras Cesnauskis are both suspended, but Marius Stankevicius is available after an injury lay-off. Lithuania shocked the footballing world when they beat the Czech Republic 1-0 earlier in the campaign, the only goal of the game coming from Darvydas Sernas.		For the Czech Republic to finish in second spot they must better Scotland's result against Spain. Michal Bilek will hope that the European Champions will continue their 100 per cent record in the competition when they meet the Scottish meaning a draw against Lithuania will be enough. Tomas Hubschmann is absent after picking up a red card against Spain on Friday.

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