06.09. (Tue) 22:00 Spain - Liechtenstein

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Spain (4-3-1-2):
Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Raul Albiol, Dominguez; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Fabregas; Villa, Torres

Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas are likely to be recalled to the side after impressive cameos against Chile helped rescue victory on Friday evening; with Xabi Alonso and David Silva set the start on the bench.

After Vicente Del Bosque's unsuccessful attempt to play Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez in defence alongside Raul Albiol, defensive reshuffle should also be expected. Sergio Ramos looks set to partner his Real Madrid team-mate while Alvaro Dominguez could make his debut at left-back.

Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique are out due to injury, along with full-back Andoni Iraola; as Spain look to qualify for next summer's European Championships.

Liechtenstein (5-4-1):
Jehle; Oehri, Martin Stocklasa, Michael Stocklasa, Ritzberger, Rechsteiner; N.Hasler, Buchel, Wieser, Burgmeier; Frick

The minnow European nation will go defensive against the World and European champions and expect veteran striker Mario Frick to lead the line upfront on his own with Hans-Peter Zaugg likely to start five defenders in his starting XI.

Creativity in the side ranked 118 in the world will be provided by 18-year-old midfielder Sandro Wieser, who plies his trade in Switzerland with Basel.

DID YOU KNOW?

Spain kicked off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 away win against Liechtenstein back in September last year, courtesy of a double from Fernando Torres and a goal a piece for David Villa and David Silva.

The World and European champions have a 100 per cent record against Liechtenstein in their five meetings.

The game will be played at Logrono's Las Gaunas with Spain's only previous game at the stadium being a 0-0 draw versus Paraguay in October 2002.

Spain have not lost in 21 European Championship games, with their last defeat coming against Northern Ireland (3-2) in September 2006.

Liechtenstein have never scored against the Spanish national side in five attempts, conceding 17 goals in the process.

The minnows have only gone one half of football without conceding against Spain, when they held the World champions to the 76th minute in a 2-0 defeat back in June 2007.

Hans-Peter Zaugg's side are currently bottom of Group I on four points, but are only one point behind third-placed Scotland who they meet on October 6.

Anything other than victory against Spain will officially leave Liechtenstein with no chance of qualifying for Euro 2012.

Prediction

Vicente Del Bosque's men have a 100 per cent record in qualifying for Euro 2012 so far and do not expect anything to change here. Liechtenstein will look to frustrate Spain but the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Villa should be too hot to handle as the World champions coast to victory.

Editor's Prediction

Spain 5-0 Liechtenstein

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06.09. (Tue) 21:00 Scotland - Lithuania

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SCOTLAND
McGregor
Hutton, Caldwell, Berra, Whittaker
Morrison, Robson, Fletcher, Bannan, Snodgrass
Naismith


LITHUANIA
Karcemarskas
Klimavicius, Kijanskas, Zaliukas, Radavicius
D Cesnauskis, Panka, Novikovas, Pilibaitis, Mikoliunas
Danilevicius

Craig Levein will have to do without the services of midfielder Scott Brown and striker Kenny Miller, who both picked up yellow cards during their controversial draw with the Czech Republic at Hampden on Saturday.

Phil Bardsley is a doubt while Charlie Adam has withdrawn with injury, and Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith has also pulled out with a back injury. The good news for Scotland is that Rangers utility man Steven Whittaker will be available after serving a one-game suspension at the weekend.

Lithuania will go into the Hampden clash without midfielder Edgaras Cesnauskis, who was sent off during his side’s humiliating draw at home to Liechtenstein, where they were booed off the park by their own fans.

Also missing for the Lithuanians is star right-back Marius Stankevicius, who is currently injured, but coach Raimondas Zutautas will be able to welcome back defender Ramunas Radavicius and will also be hopeful that veteran Andrius Skerla will be available for selection.

DID YOU KNOW?

Scotland have claimed victory on all three occasions that the sides have met at Hampden Park.

Captain Darren Fletcher will be the top international scorer in Tuesday’s side due to Kenny Miller’s suspension, with a grand total of five goals.

Levein’s side currently sit on five points in Group I, five points behind the Czech Republic, who currently occupy second place in the table.

Many of the Lithuania squad will be familiar to the home fans with Marius Zaliukas and Arvydas Novikovas currently playing for Hearts, while Deividas Cesnauskis, Saulius Mikoliunas, Kestutis Ivaskevicius, Linas Pilibaitis and Ricardas Beniusis are all former Jambos.

Lithuanian record cap holder Andrius Skerla and international top goalscorer Tomas Danilevicius both plied their trade in Scotland as well, having played at Dunfermline.

The draw at home to Liechtenstein put pay to any chance that Lithuania had of making it through to the Euro 2012 playoffs, sitting five points behind the Czech Republic with only two games left.

Prediction

Both sides head into the game after disappointing results against the Czech Republic and Liechtenstein, with only Scotland having an outside chance to make it to the play-offs. But the Lithuanian side will be up for the Hampden clash, with so many of their players having Scottish connections.

Editor's Prediction

Scotland 1-1 Lithuania

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06.09. (Tue) 20:45 Italy - Slovenia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Italy (4-3-1-2):
Buffon; Cassani, Ranocchia, Chiellini, Criscito; Pirlo, De Rossi, Motta; Montolivo; Cassano, Rossi

It is likely that La Nazionale will make a change in defence, where Mattia Cassani should replace Christian Maggio at right-back. The new Fiorentina man hinted that he could be given a chance in the side, after expressing his hope at being presented in Florence on Tuesday night, where he has recently completed a transfer. However, Cesare Prandelli has also indicated that he will not make any major changes to the line-up that struggled to beat Faroe Islands.

Slovenia (4-4-2):
Handanovic; Brecko, Cesar, Ilic, Jokic; Koren, Radosavlevic, Ilicic, Birsa; Novakovic, Matavz

Slovenia are expected to name the same team that surprisingly lost to Estonia last week, which may prove to be a significant blow to their qualifying aspirations. However, it is still a very strong squad they possess, which includes five Serie A representatives and two Eredivisie performers in their ranks, aswell as the odd Bundesliga and Belgian Pro League talent.

DID YOU KNOW?

Italy coach Prandelli returned to Fiorentina for his first home qualifier as national team boss, a 5-0 victory against the Faroe Islands on 7 September last year.

They prevailed 1-0 when they met Slovenia in Ljubljana on 25 March, where Brazilian-born Thiago Motta scored the only goal of the game on his Azzurri debut.

Italy's record in six games against their neighbours from the west reads three wins, one defeat and two losses, with two wins coming on home soil.

All five meetings since their first encounter have been settled by a single goal.

The countries last met on October 8 2005 for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, as a 1-1 draw was played out, with Bostjan Cesar scoring a late equaliser for the hosts.

Italy top Group C with 16 points from their six matches to date, while Slovenia lie in second, five points behind their opponents.

Slovenia contain five players who ply their trade in Italy; Samir Handanovic, Valter Birsa, Bojan Jokic, Bostjan Cesar and Josip Ilicic.

The Slovenians have won just one of their last four qualifiers, with Northern Ireland lurking just two points behind them, with a game in hand.

Prediction

Italy's annual difficult start to a new campaign continues to faze them, but it won't stop them in picking up the elusive victory to send them to Poland and Ukraine next year. Although Slovenia will push them very hard, as they have a qualifying campaign to salvage, it is that bit of craft and star quality from the hosts that should see them prevail. However, the Italian's defence looked shaky at times at the Faroes, and the likes of Matavz and Ilicic could make it a long night.

Editor's Prediction

Italy 2-1 Slovenia

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06.09. (Tue) 20:45 England - Wales

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ENGLAND
Hart
Smalling, Terry, Cahill, Cole
Parker, Barry
Walcott, Young, Downing
Rooney


WALES
Hennessey
Gunter, Williams, J Collins, Taylor
Bale, Collison, Ramsey, Ledley
Earnshaw, Morison

England have suffered two withdrawals from their squad due to injury with Micah Richards and Darren Bent being sent back to their clubs, however, neither featured at all against Bulgaria and should not be a big miss.

Frank Lampard has been told this week by boss Fabio Capello that he needs to improve his club form to get back into the starting XI and thus is unlikely to trouble Scott Parker or Gareth Barry for a place in central midfield.

Wales will have to cope without the suspended Craig Bellamy and David Vaughan after the pair picked up bookings in the victory over Montenegro.

They can be heartened, however, by the return of experienced defender James Collins and are hopeful that West Ham midfielder Jack Collison will recover from the illness that kept him out on Friday in order to take his place in the team.

DID YOU KNOW?

England have yet to lose a fixture in group G but have been held to draws twice against Switzerland and Montenegro, with both coming at Wembley.

Fabio Capello has only ever lost two competitive fixtures as England manager, a qualifying tie against Ukraine after England’s qualification had been secured, and the World Cup exit at the hands of Germany.

Capello’s win ratio as England manager stands at 66 per cent.

The first meeting betweent the two sides in this Euro 2012 qualifying group ended 2-0 to England . Frank Lampard and Darren Bent were the goalscorers though neither is expected to start this game.

Wales’ victory over Montenegro signified the first points they have gained in Group G having lost all four of their previous qualifying fixtures.

Gary Speed lost his first four fixtures as Wales manager but has picked up two wins in his last two games, giving him a win percentage of 33% – the same ratio he maintained in an ill-fated spell at Sheffield United.

Aaron Ramsey is the youngest man to ever captain the Wales national team.

The last time Wales managed a victory over England on English soil was as far back as 1977.

Prediction

Wales were irrepressible against Montenegro last week but it is a far bigger task that awaits them in front of a partisan crowd at Wembley.

Their young hopes in Bale, Ramsey and Joe Ledley must show their composure in attack without the guidance of Craig Bellamy, in order to threaten the hosts.

England will be full of confidence given the form of their attacking options, particularly Downing, Young and Rooney, who have all had flying starts to the season.

The home crowd will certainly give them a further boost and, given their recent form, they should prove too much for this young Welsh outfit.

Editor's Prediction

England 2-0 Wales

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06.09. (Tue) 20:30 Romania - France

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Romania (4-4-2)
Tatarusanu; Goian, Rat, Maftei, Sapunaru; Contra, Cocis, Gardos, Tanase; Stancu, Marica

Romania boss Victor Piţurcă is without the services of two-goal hero Gabriel Torje against the former European champions. The Udinese winger, who notched both in the 2-0 win over Luxembourg on Friday night, is suspeneded. Gabriel Tamas and Adrian Mutu are banned permanently from the national side after they breached team rules before the friendly against San Marino last month.

France (4-2-3-1):
Lloris; Sagna, Abidal, Rami, Evra; M’Vila, Nasri; Malouda, Martin, Ribery; Benzema

France boss Laurent Blanc welcomes back Adil Rami to his starting XI after the Valencia man missed out on Friday's win in Albania due to suspension. Rami is most likely expected to replace Tottenham's Younes Kaboul after the latter was at fault for Erjon Bogdani's 46th minute goal in Tirana.

Karim Benzema, who had a hand in both goals, is once again given the role of spearheading the attack after a fine run of form for Les Bleus. Marvin Martin could also make a starting appearance after Samir Nasri's unconvincing performance in the playermaker role on Friday evening.

DID YOU KNOW?

Romania defeated Luxembourg 2-0 on Friday in Group D, with Gabriel Torje netting both goals for the Tricolorii.

Victor Putrica's men are fourth in their group with 11 points. The Eastern Europeans are also five points behind France, but only one behind Belarus.

Romania faced France at Euro 2008, holding Les Bleus to a 0-0 draw which eventually eliminated both teams.

The sides' met in World Cup 2010 qualifying with Romania letting slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in Bucharest.

Tuesday's match will be the first to be played at the new Stadionul Național. It will host the 2012 Uefa Europa League Final.

France are Group D leaders with 16 points, and can take a huge step in claiming a Euro 2012 place with victory in Romania on Tuesday.

Les Bleus are unbeaten since succumbing to a surprise 1-0 defeat to Belarus almost a year ago.

A win for France, coupled with a draw in the match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Belarus, would leave Laurent Blanc's side needing a solitary point to make it to next summer's tournament.

Les Bleus beat Romania in Paris in October 2010. Goals from Yoann Gourcuff and Loic Remy sealed the three points.

France have never fallen to Romania, winning four and drawing four of their eight previous games against each other.

Prediction

Les Bleus endured a difficult evening against Albania on Friday after taking their foot off the gas. If they can reproduce the scintillating start they had last week in this match, three points should be manageable. Romania, however, can count on exploiting a makeshift French defence in stealing a point or more. 2-1 to the visitors, the likely verdict.

Editor's Prediction

Romania 1-2 France

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06.09. (Tue) 20:30 Estonia - Northern Ireland

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ESTONIA
Estonia
Pareiko
Jaager, Piroja, Rahn, Teniste
Vunk, Dmitrijev, Klavan, Vassiljev, Kruglov
Zenjov


NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland
Camp
Baird, Hughes, Cathcart, McGivern
McGinn, Davis, McCann, Brunt
Healy, Feeney

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has conceded that his squad is "down to the very bare bones", ahead of the crunch away fixture against Estonia.

Paddy McCourt and Kyle Lafferty are out with calf injuries, while the Evans brothers, Jonny and Corry, are both suspended for this fixture. Sammy Clingan has joined the squad for the away fixture, but he remains a doubt since he needs to recover from an illness and be fit in time for Tuesday's clash.

Worthington has called up youngsters Andrew Little and Josh Carson to bolster his squad ahead of the all-important clash in Tallinn.

DID YOU KNOW?

Estonia were on a run of five games - including friendlies - without a win prior to their 2-1 victory over Slovenia, which leaves them sitting in four place, albeit having played a game more than Northern Ireland.

The team's strikers – Jarmo Ahjupera, Tarmo Kinkm, Kaimar Saag and Sergei Zenjov – boast 117 international caps between them but have scored only 10 goals in total.

Northern Ireland are struggling in their qualifying group, having amassed nine points from seven games so far, but are just two points away from second-placed Slovenia.

Warren Feeney scored the only goal of the game when these two sides met in a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park prior to the last edition of the tournament.

With the exception of top placed Italy, Worthington's men have conceded the least number of goals (four) in the group.

But at the same time, they have scored only seven goals through the course of the qualifying campaign. Only bottom placed Faroe Islands have hit the back of the net fewer times in Group C.


Prediction

Worthington has a tough task on his hands with his side having their backs to the wall in terms of qualifying for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, but the visiting side should nick this one by a narrow margin.

Editor's Prediction

Estonia 0-1 N. Ireland

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06.09. (Tue) 19:30 Saudi Arabia - Australia

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Saudi Arabia (4-4-2):
Al-Otaibi; Al-Marshedi, Hawsawi, Al-Montashari, Mouath; Al-Jassim, Al-Shalhoub, Kariri, Al-Dosari; Al-Qahtani, Al-Shamrani.

New Saudi coach Frank Rijkaard has already ruffled some feathers by leaving local hero Mohammed Noor out of the squad for these qualifiers and skipper Yasser Al-Qahtani could be the next, after appearing disinterested in the goalless draw against Oman. Naif Hazazi may be preferred or perhaps there could be a change of system.

Indeed, Rijkaard must decide on whether to persist with the 4-3-3 or go with a 4-4-2 as he did late against Oman. His options are depleted somewhat by injuries to defensive duo Abdullah Shuhail and Osama Al-Muwallad, while star Al Hilal midfielder Mohammad Al-Shalhoub could be called upon after warming the pine against the Omanis.

Australia (4-4-2):
Schwarzer; Wilkshire, Neill, Ognenovski, Zullo; Emerton, Valeri, Jedinak, McKay; Cahill, Holman.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck is likely to tinker with his side after an unconvincing display against Thailand where the front duo of Joshua Kennedy and Tim Cahill failed as a combination. Brett Holman may be pushed forward alongside Cahill, or the Everton man may drop into midfield with Josh Kennedy retaining his spot in attack having scored against the Thais.

Mile Jedinak could be preferred in the centre of midfield to Neil Kilkenny, while Matt McKay may get a more advanced role after playing at left-back against the War Elephants but having had a big involvement in both goals. That could see Michael Zullo drafted in at left-back, while Osieck must decide on whether to persist with Matt Spiranovic in defence or recall the more experienced Sasa Ognenovski.

DID YOU KNOW?

These two nations have never met in either Fifa World Cup qualifiers or Asian Cup qualifiers before, although their last meeting was at the 1997 Confederations Cup held in Saudi Arabia, which the Green Falcons won 1-0.

Australia actually reached the final of the 1997 Confederations Cup, losing 6-0 to Brazil in the decider.

In Australia's last two matches on foreign soil they've won 2-1 on both occasions, over Wales and the mighty Germany.

The Socceroos didn't concede one goal away from home during the fourth round of 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

In November last year across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia, Australia went down meekly 3-0 to Egypt.

New Saudi Arabia coach Frank Rijkaard managed Socceroos pair Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill during a stint at Galatasaray.

Saudi Arabia defeated Hong Kong 8-0 on aggregate to reach the third round with Al Shabab striker Nasser Al Shamrani scoring three goals in the tie.

The Green Falcons, who reached the 2006 World Cup finals and 2007 Asian Cup final, were bundled out of the 2011 Asian Cup without a point and without a coach after sacking Jose Pereiro mid-tournament.

Saudi Arabia won just one of their fourth round 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifiers at home, ultimately costing them an automatic place in the finals.

Prediction
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Australia 

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06.09. (Tue) 19:00 Finland - Netherlands

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Finland (4-5-1):
Hradecky; Moisander, Toivio, Arkivou, Raitala; Eremenko, Hetemaj, Sjolund, Ring, Hamalainen; Forssell

Djurgarden midfielder Kasper Hamalainen looks set to keep his place in the side following his brace against Moldova, while veteran attacker Jari Litmanen misses out once more. Petri Paatelainen will continue to look to youth in goal, with Lukas Hradecky keeping his place over Otto Fredrikson.

Netherlands (4-2-3-1):
Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Mathijsen, Heitinga, Pieters; van Bommel, Strootman; Kuyt, Sneijder, van Persie; Huntelaar

Van Marwijk understandably looks set to name an unchanged side from the trouncing of San Marino on Friday, with Strootman continuing to deputise in the place of the injured Nigel de Jong, and Robin van Persie pushed back into a midfield role due to the absence of Arjen Robben.

DID YOU KNOW?

Unattached Finland striker Mikael Forssell has notched up seven goals this qualifying campaign, fewer only than Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Miroslav Klose

These two sides last met in a qualifying campaign in the run up to Euro 92, which saw a 1-1 draw in Helsinki between the teams.

Finland have never qualified for a major competition, meanhile, their opponents have only failed to reach a tournament once since the 1986 World Cup.

The Netherlands' 11-0 victory over San Marino was the biggest winning margin in the Oranje's history.

The Dutch side have scored 32 goals in qualifying, more than any other side aiming to reach the Ukraine and Poland showpiece.

Bert van Marwijk's side are one of two teams with a 100% record qualifying for Euro 2012, the other being their fierce rivals Germany, whom they face in a friendly in November.

Prediction

The Netherlands showed the world why they're ranked as the top team in football by taking Group E by storm, and I expect that the Oranje will will keep normal service up in Helsinki on Tuesday night.

Editor's Prediction

Finland 0-3 Netherlands

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06.09. (Tue) 19:00 Kuwait - South Korea

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Kuwait (4-4-2):
Al-Khaldi; Rashed, Awadh, Fadel, Al-Fadhel; Al-Amer, Al-Sheikh, Al-Misha'an, F. Al-Enezi; Al-Mutwa, Nasser.

Kuwait's Serbian boss Goran Tufegdzic was pleased with 80 minutes of his side's display against UAE, although a sloppy final 10 minutes had him concerned, after they almost let slip a 3-0 lead.

The team's star man, Bader Al-Mutwa, scored a stunning goal against UAE and will lead the attack again alongside Yousef Nasser. Saleh Al Sheikh may come in for a start after making a short cameo against the Emirati side.

South Korea (4-3-2-1):
Jung SR; Cha DR, Lee JS, Hong JH, Hong Chul; Ki SY, Koo JC, Lee YR; Nam TH, Park CY; Ji DW.

Taeguk Warriors coach Cho Kwang-Rae told reporters this week he hadn't really had enough time to prepare his side for the Kuwait clash but said their 6-0 win over Lebanon was a useful practice.

Cho has also indicated he's likely to persist with the same line-up and the same tactics against Kuwait, despite the long journey. Busan I'Park forward Han Sang-Wook could be given an opportunity off the bench, should his side need a goal, while Lee Jae-Seong may get a chance to make his second national team appearance.

DID YOU KNOW?

These two nations last met at this very stadium in the 2006 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, with Korea winning 4-0. The result saw the visitors clinch World Cup qualification.

Kuwait haven't lost on home soil since September last year, when they went down 1-0 in Seoul to Iran in a friendly.

Despite bowing out of the 2011 Asian Cup without a point, Al-Azraq are considered one of the dark horses to do well in qualification, having won the 2010 Gulf Cup of Nations.

The west Asian side have taken on North Korea three times in the past 12 months, drawing with them twice and defeating them once.

Kuwait have reached the World Cup finals once, way back in 1982, when they claimed one point, with a 1-1 draw against Czechoslovakia.

South Korea, on the other hand, have qualified for the past seven World Cup finals.

The Taeguk Warriors were heavily beaten in their last away match, 3-0 to rivals Japan in August.

South Korea were runners-up at the 1980 Asian Cup held in Kuwait.

Korea skipper Park Chu-Young has happy memories at Kuwait City's Peace and Friendship Stadium, having made his second international appearance there and scoring his second international goal there, in the aforementioned 4-0 victory.

Prediction

Kuwait 1-2 South Korea

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06.09. (Tue) 16:00 Uzbekistan - Japan

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Uzbekistan (3-3-3-1):
Nesterov; Mullajanov, Denisov, Tukhtakhodjaev; Andreev, Haydarov, Kapadze; Ahmedov, Geynrikh, Djeparov; Shatskikh

After a 72nd minute goal by Maksim Shatskikh gave hosts Uzbekistan an opening win against minnows Tajikistan, they will have much more formidable opposition in visiting Japan.

Midfielder Odil Ahmedov will be looking to avenge Uzbekistan's 2009 loss to Japan, where he was well marshalled by Japan defender Makoto Hasebe, while 2008 Asian Footballer of the Year Serger Djeparov will face off against 2009 recipient Yasuhito Endo. Like North Korea, Uzbekistan are expected to set themselves up not to concede and will rely heavily on a counter-attack. They will be happy to take away any points from this match.

Japan (4-2-3-1):
Kawashima; Uchida, Konno, Kurihara, Komano; Endo, Hasebe; Kiyotake, Kagawa, Okazaki; Lee

Japan will be optimistic but wary heading into this match with Uzbekistan after just three days of rest. This will be the Samurai Blue's first match outside of their home country since the Asian Cup final in January. Coach Alberto Zaccheroni will keep his 4-2-3-1 formation but Cerezo Osaka's Hiroshi Kiyotake is likely to earn a starting role in place of Yosuke Kashiwagi, who was ineffective against the North Koreans.

The big question facing Japan is the state of their attack now that they will spend at least three months without striker Keisuke Honda, who underwent knee surgery in Spain this weekend. Tadanari Lee, unimpressive against North Korea, is an option, however Mike Havenaar did well on debut as a substitute on Friday and could be handed a start.

DID YOU KNOW?

Both teams are coming off 1-0 victories to start their third round campaigns.

This is the first meeting between Japan and Uzbekistan since World Cup 2010 qualifying in June 2009. Japan won that match 1-0 in Tashkent thanks to Shinji Okazaki's ninth-minute goal but ended the game down a man after Makoto Hasebe received a late red card.

Tuesday's match will be the fourth meeting between the two sides. Aside from the two WC2010 qualifiers, Japan won a friendly in September 1996.

Uzbekistan shocked the confederation in January by reaching the semifinals of the Asian Cup, where they lost to Australia by a 6-0 score.

Uzbekistan went undefeated in the second round of World Cup qualifying, beating Kyrgyzstan 4-0 and 3-0.

Prediction
Uzbekistan 0-1 Japan

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06.09. (Tue) 15:00 Argentina - Nigeria

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Argentina (4-3-3)
Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Rojo; Gonzalez, Mascherano, Pastore; Messi, Higuain, Di Maria

Sabella looks set to stick with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria up top, whilst PSG's Javier Pastore could replace Ricardo Alvarez to add to the creativity in the midfield.


Nigeria (4-3-3)
Ayenugba; Okonkwo, Elderson, Yobo, Ambrose; Joel Obi, Mikel Obi, Musa; Obinna, Anichebe, I. Uche

Ikechukwu Uche knows what it takes to beat Argentina having scored twice in the 4-1 win over the South Americans in June. He will be looked upon to provide his scoring touch again in Tuesday's friendly, joined in an attacking trio by Victor Obinna and Victor Anichebe.

DID YOU KNOW?

Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0 on Friday thanks to a second-half goal by Nicolas Otamendi, his first goal for his country.

Midfielder Ricardo Alvarez earned his first cap for the national team in the win over Cesar Farias' men.

Sabella won the 2009 Copa Libertadores as the coach of Estudiandes de La Plata.

On September 14 and 28, the two-time World Cup winners will play Brazil, with both teams fielding players from their domestic leagues.

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia was born in Ghana.

The Super Eagles downed Madagascar 2-0 in an African Cup of Nations 2012 qualifying match on Sunday.

In the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, the African side played Argentina in the group stage, losing 1-0 on both occassions.

Captain Joseph Yobo has 70 caps, 17 behind Nwankwo Kanu, who is the most capped Nigerian international.

Prediction

Nicolas Otamendi scored the winner against Venezuela, but the strikers for Argentina should come alive in the battle against the Super Eagles with Lionel Messi leading the way.

Editor's Prediction

Argentina 2-1 Nigeria

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