The previous game between the two teams who dream of finishing second behind Germany ended in a glorious 4-4 draw. It was a pulsating and dramatic affair, and there are good chancing of witnessing the same kind of events again.
Both teams are much more talented offensively (keep in mind that Daniel van Buyten, for example, is not really in top form right now). Austrian and Belgium must go for a win in order to have a decent chance of outfoxing Turkey come autumn. If they scored eight times in October, why can't they contribute three goals in March?
Chances are they will. Given the explosive potential of this fixture, it's also very interesting to consider a treble of “over 2.5 goals, over 12 corners and over 6 cards” at no less than 29.00.
Match Odds: Austria 2.45, Draw 3.40, Belgium 2.80
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.91
26.03. (Sat) 18:00 Georgia - Croatia
Croatia top Group F after four games with a record of three victories and one draw. Slaven Bilic has overseen a run of 14 games unbeaten since England exacted some revenge in a 5-1 victory back in the autumn of 2009. Whilst opponents have hardly been testing in that run, Croatia know a win this weekend against Georgia would kick them clear in the race for qualification.
Georgia incidentally are unbeaten in Group F, but have only managed a slender 1-0 win against bottom placed Malta at home. Croatia have a host of star names in their squad including Tottenham’s trio of Niko Kranjcar, Vedran Corluka and Luka Modric and should have enough quality to secure the win and all three points.
Match Odds: Georgia 6.0, Draw 3.60, Croatia 1.61
Tip: Croatia to win @ 1.61
26.03. (Sat) 20:00 Barcelona Atletic - Alcorcon
We are well versed to seeing Barcelona tearing teams apart most weeks in the Spanish Primera Liga. The Barca B team, coached by Luis Enrique, have been making a similar impact in the Spanish Segunda Division recently.
Although ineligible for promotion to the top table in Spanish football, they lie fourth in the standings and have been on a rich vein of form of late, winning four out of last five, scoring 19 goals in the process. Barca B play Alcorcon on Saturday, a team they have beaten 3-1 already this season.
Match Odds: Barcelona B 1.67, Draw 3.40, Alcorcon 5.0
Tip: Barcelona B to win @ 1.67
26.03. (Sat) 20:45 Ireland - FYR Macedonia
The Republic of Ireland simply have to beat teams of the strength of Macedonia at home if they are to qualify or at least stand a chance to do so through the playoffs. Surely they cannot afford to drop more points at home after the defeat to Russia.
FYROM have so far scored four points with a record of four goals scored and four conceded in four matches which is not surprising as they play generally very defensively, especially away from home. It's worth mentioning that all four goals came against inferior opposition to Ireland such as Andorra (2-0) and in a 2-2 draw against Armenia. The Irish should win and keep a clean sheet in the process.
Match Odds: Republic of Ireland 1.44, Draw 4.0, FYR Macedonia 8.50
Tip: Ireland to win to nil @ 1.70
