15.11. (Tue) 22:05 Costa Rica - Spain

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COSTA RICA Navas Myrie, Umana, Miller, Diaz Cubero, Azofeifa, Hernandez, Oviedo Parks/Campbell, Ruiz

SPAIN Reina/Casillas Arbeloa, Albiol, Pique, Monreal Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Fabregas, Navas, Torres, Cazorla

Costa Rica have no injury or absentee issues entering the contest as they look to rebound from a 2-0 loss to Panama last week. Joel Campbell may get a chance to impress up front after a stellar Copa America, with Winston Parks being relegated to the bench.

Vicente del Bosque will opt for a different looking team in the friendly, though last week's injury to Javi Martinez will force the World Cup winning coach to change his plans slightly.

Fernando Torres, Santi Cazorla and Jesus Navas are likely to start in attack, with Nacho Monreal earning the left back berth after Jordi Alba featured in Saturday's game.

In goal, Pepe Reina could start, but don't be surprised to see Iker Casillas in the starting XI. With one more appearance, the Real Madrid goalkeeper will surpass Andoni Zubizarreta's all-time caps record for the country, as the two are tied at 126.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Costa Rica have lost four of their last five games, failing to score in each of those defeats.

• Over their last 10 internationals, the Central Americans have been outscored 15 to five.

• Coach Jorge Luis Pinto won 12 domestic titles while coaching in Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia and Venezuela as he looks to bring similar success to the Ticos. 

• Spain have lost two of their last three international friendlies, including a 1-0 loss to England on Saturday and a 2-1 defeat to Italy in August. 

• La Furia Roja have scored at least a goal in each of their last 10 matches prior to Saturday's 1-0 loss to England.

• Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, David Villa, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres all have at least 80 caps with the national team. Aside from Casillas, Xavi is the only player currenly in the squad with over 100 appearances.

Prediction

It's hard to envision the reigning World Cup winners losing consecutive games. La Furia Roja's attack should cause nightmares for the Central American hosts.

Editor's Prediction

Costa Rica 1-3 Spain

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15.11. (Tue) 22:00 Portugal - Bosnia and H.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

PORTUGAL Rui Patricio Joao Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Coentrao Meireles, Veloso, Moutinho Nani, Ronaldo Postiga

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Begovic Zahirovic, Spahic, Pandza, Papac Rahimic, Medunjanin Pjanic, Misimovic, Lulic Dzeko

Pepe will once again start at centre-half at the expense of Porto defender Rolando, who will act as back-up to Bruno Alves and the Real Madrid star.

Miguel Veloso is set to retain his place in the triple pivot after his impressive showing in the first leg. Helder Postiga's starting spot is in some doubt following his dire performance last week, but is still expected to be picked ahead of Hugo Almeida.

Safet Susic will not be able to rely on first-choice right-back Mensur Mujdza, who was forced off the pitch in the 1-1 draw against France after picking up a knock, and will be out for the next three months.

Key defenders Sasa Papac and Boris Pandza return from suspension and are expected to start on Tuesday. Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is expected to retain his place in the first XI after his impressive performance in the first leg.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bosnia-Herzegovina are yet to qualify for a major tournament.
  
• Bosnia & Herzegovina were eliminated by the Iberians in the play-offs for a place in World Cup 2010.

• Portugal have never won the European Championship, but appeared in the final of Euro 2004 on home soil, losing 1-0 to Greece.

• Pauleta is the Navigators' all-time highest scorer with 47 goals in 88 matches.

• Portugal have played only once against Bosnia & Herzegovina at home, winning 1-0 courtesy of a goal by Bruno Alves.

Prediction

It is going to be a close game once again, but Portugal are the more experienced team and this advantage should see them through.

Editor's Prediction

Portugal 2-1 Bosnia

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15.11. (Tue) 22:00 Colombia - Argentina

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COLOMBIA Ospina Zuniga, Mosquera, Yepes, Armero Bolivar, Aguilar Pabon, Rodriguez, Ramos Martinez

ARGENTINA Romero Zabaleta, Burdisso, Fernandez, Rodriguez Sosa, Mascherano, Gago, Guinazu Messi, Higuain

There are several injury absences for the home team. Fredy Guarin was hurt in Friday's draw with Venezuela and joins Radamel Falcao and Carlos Sanchez on the casualty list, while Luis Perea misses out through suspension. Camilo Zuniga comes in at right-back, while Abel Aguilar replaces Guarin, Adrian Ramos enters on the left wing and Aquivaldo Mosquera fills in alongside Mario Yepes in defence.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella is set to make several changes from the team which drew 1-1 with Bolivia on Friday. Martin Demichelis relinquishes his place to Napoli's Federico Fernandez after his disastrous error, while Javier Pastore and Ricky Alvarez are replaced by Pablo Guinazu and Jose Sosa in a more defensive XI. Javier Mascherano is the only doubt, and Rodrigo Brana is on stand-by to replace the former captain if he does not recover from injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Colombia have faced Argentina 31 times, winning eight and suffering 17 defeats.

• Their last meeting was in July 2011 in Santa Fe, where Argentina were held to a 0-0 draw in the Copa America group stage.

• Colombia are currently unbeaten in the qualifying tournament, having won one and drawn one in their opening two fixtures.

• The Cafeteros' finest moment against their rivals came in 1993, when they destroyed Argentina 5-0 in El Monumental. Freddy Rincon and Faustino Asprilla were the heroes on that day, both scoring twice.

• That, however, proved to be the last time Colombia beat the Albiceleste away from home.

• The match will be the first time No. 10s Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez have shared a pitch. The Colombian phenomenon missed out on the Copa America as then-coach Hernan Dario Gomez preferred to use him as the figurehead for the hosts of the Under 20 World Cup.

• Argentina will be keen to avoid more toils on the Caribbean coast when they visit Barranquilla. They were beaten 1-0 by Venezuela in October in Puerto La Cruz, their first-ever defeat at the hands of the Vinotinto.

Prediction

The Cafeteros are missing several key first-teamers, but confidence is high and they should have enough to record a narrow victory over Alejandro Sabella's unsettled Argentina side.

Editor's Prediction

Colombia 2-1 Argentina

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15.11. (Tue) 21:00 England - Sweden

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ENGLAND Hart Walker, Terry, Cahill, Cole Lampard, Rodwell, Barry Walcott, Zamora, Sturridge

SWEDEN Wiland Mellberg, Safari, Olsson, Lustig Bajrami, Svensson, Kallstrom, Larsson Ibrahimovic, Elmander

Fabio Capello has already confirmed that Daniel Sturridge will make his debut on Tuesday, whilst Kyle Walker is expected to make his first start in an England shirt in place of Glen Johnson at right-back. John Terry will retain the armband when he returns to the centre of defence alongside Gary Cahill, and Bobby Zamora is expected to lead the line up front in place of Darren Bent.

Sweden are expected to name an unchanged side after their weekend defeat to Denmark. Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was highly critical of his side's showing on Friday night, is expected to retain his place up front alongisde former Bolton forward Johan Elmander.

DID YOU KNOW?

• England and Sweden have played each other 21 times, with both managing six victories each.

• The two sides have not met at Wembley since 1988, when they drew 0-0.

• Captain John Terry (pictured right) played in both of England’s last two meetings with Sweden – a 1-0 friendly defeat in 2004, and a 2-2 draw during the group stages of World Cup 2006.

• Aside from the 1-0 Sweden victory in 2004, all of the last five matches between the sides have ended in a draw.

• More than a quarter of Sweden’s goals in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign have been scored in the final 15 minutes of their matches.

• At the same time, in friendly matches this season, England have failed to score at all beyond the 75th minute.

• Sweden have only lost three of their last 13 away matches – the latest a 2-0 defeat to Denmark on Friday.

• England, meanwhile, have managed just four wins in their last 10 matches on home soil, with Saturday’s victory over Spain only their second home win in a year.

• Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – the top scorers in Euro 2012 qualifying for their respective nations – have failed to find the net in this year’s friendly matches.

• England and Sweden’s record goalscorers are Bobby Charlton and Sven Rydell, both of whom managed 49 international goals. Rydell has the superior strike ratio, however: he played just 43 times for Sweden, whilst Charlton scored his tally in 109 games for the Three Lions.

Prediction

England's confidence got a well-needed boost after their surprise win over Spain on Saturday, and Capello will be hoping that the players brought in to the starting lineup on Tuesday will display the same character as those who featured against the World Champions. Sweden will be no pushovers, especially as they look to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Denmark on Friday, but expect this latest new-look England to edge the encounter.

Editor's Prediction

England 3-1 Sweden

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15.11. (Tue) 21:00 France - Belgium

Olivier Giroud (France - USA)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FRANCE Mandanda Reveilliere, Abidal, Rami, Mathieu Menez, Cabaye, M'Vila, Ribery Remy, Benzema

BELGIUM Courtois Vanden Borre, Vermaelen, Kompany, Vertonghen Defour, Fellaini, Witsel Hazard, Mirallas, Dembele

Laurent Blanc will be using this game to exercise the 4-4-2 formation that failed to show its maximum potential in Friday's unconvincing 1-0 win over the USA. He is also expected to introduce more players into the starting XI after four players made their debuts against the Americans.
Florent Malouda and Yohan Cabaye have recovered from knocks and came through a training session to ensure full fitness for Tuesday's encounter. The lack of a playmaker failed to ignite the partnership of Kevin Gameiro and Karim Benzema, with the former set to be dropped in favour of in-form Loic Remy.
Eric Abidal is set to take his place in defence after joining up with the squad following his Copa del Rey exploits with Barcelona, and without an experienced left-back, Jeremy Mathieu could again extend his run in the national side. Hugo Lloris could also be dropped in favour of Marseille's Steve Mandanda, with the latter arguably in better form as Blanc mulls his strongest side for next summer's Euro 2012.
Belgium, on the other hand, will be without Kevin De Bruyne after the midfielder contracted illness ahead of the trip to Paris. Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen is in line for a return to the side after he sat out Friday's 2-1 win over Romania. Eden Hazard, who plies his trade in Ligue 1 with Lille, is set to take his place in attack, while 19 year old goalkeeper Thibault Courtois could also make his international debut at the Stade de France.

DID YOU KNOW?

• France stretched their unbeaten run to 16 games after Loic Remy stepped up in the 72nd minute to edge Les Bleus past the USA.

• Barcelona's Eric Abidal is in line to win his 60th cap for his country - only Florent Malouda has more in the current squad.

• Laurent Koscielny, Jeremy Mathieu, Olivier Giroud and Maxime Gonalons all made their international debuts on Friday.

• Belgium beat Romania 2-1 in an international friendly in Liege last week.

• The Red Devils have only lost once in 13 internationals - to Germany last month. The defeat meant they missed out on Euro 2012.

• Georges Leekens' men won on their last visit to France, prevailing 2-1 in a 2002 World Cup warm-up game. Overall, their record against Les Bleus stands at four wins, four draws and eight defeats.

Prediction

Les Bleus are in the ascendancy in terms of progress made, but as recent performances suggest, there are still a few tweaks to be made. After Friday's rather turgid encounter agianst the USA, it looks as if Laurent Blanc will stick to and inject faith in the 4-4-2 system, one that his players aren't familiar with.
Expect the same type of game from the hosts, and despite Eden Hazard's obvious brilliance - a narrow win for the French.

Editor's Prediction

France 1-0 Belgium

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International Opta Facts - 15th November

Rep of Ireland v Estonia

 

Ireland last reached the European Championship Finals in 1988, but were eliminated in the first round.
Ireland have won all three of their previous matches against Estonia, keeping a clean sheet in each game and scoring eight times overall.
Estonia haven't lost a game in which they've scored since September 2010. Since that 1-2 defeat to Italy, all 10 of Estonia's defeats have seen the Blueshirts fail to net.
Ireland are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, winning seven of them.
Ireland have only conceded one goal in their last 951 minutes of international football, and that was a consolation goal for Armenia in a 2-1 win.
Ireland have not conceded four or more goals in an international match since losing 2-5 to Cyprus in October 2006.
The last time that Estonia won an international game by four or more goals was back in September 2004 (4-0 v Luxembourg).
12th November 1996 (6-1 v Andorra) was the last time that Estonia won an international game by four or more goals away from home.

England v Sweden

England have not won any of their last 12 international matches against Sweden (D8, L4).
The Three Lions have won just two of their last 17 games against Sweden.
Four of the last five meetings between England and Sweden have ended in a draw.
Nine of the last 12 goals scored by England against Sweden have come in the first half.
Each of England's last 12 goals have ben scored before the 52nd minute of the match.
England have failed to score in three of their last five friendlies against Sweden.
England are unbeaten in eight successive internationals, winning five.
Joe Hart has now played 15 games for England without losing (10 wins, four draws), the most of any player to have played for the nation since Euro 96.
England have only failed to score on one of their last 12 friendlies, netting a total of 23 goals in this run.
Sweden have won seven of their last nine games, losing the other two - this includes their 0-2 defeat to Denmark on Friday evening.
That 0-2 defeat was the only occasion in Sweden's last 12 games that they have failed to score.
The next goal that England score will be their 2000th in international football

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15.11. (Tue) 20:45 Germany - Netherlands

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

GERMANY Neuer Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels, Aogo Khedira, Kroos Muller, Ozil, Podolski Gomez

NETHERLANDS Stekelenburg Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Braafheid Van Bommel, Strootman Kuyt, Sneijder, Babel Huntelaar

Clearly utilising this round of friendlies to sound out a 'Plan B' formation, Joachim Low used Friday's clash against Ukraine to test an experimental 3-4-2-1 with wing-backs providing the width. Finding themselves down 3-1 at half time, Low has since admitted to scrapping the idea of three centre-backs. He has spoken of interest in using a more traditional 4-4-2 formation versus the Dutch, Miroslav Klose's fitness permitting, but whether the pair will play from the start is highly debatable, given that the coach confirmed on Monday that Mesut Ozil will be in his first XI.

Borussia Monchengladbach's Marco Reus is likely to get some playing time having rejoined the national side after recovering from a stomach virus, while Dortmund's Marcel Schmelzer has been ruled out for the clash.

In the Oranje corner, Gregory van der Wiel has recovered from a groin problem and is expected to take Khalid Boulahrouz's place at right-back again. Mark van Bommel, Kevin Strootman and Klass-Jan Huntelaar were all rested against Switzerland and are expected to start against the Germans.

Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart will miss out through a hamstring problem, while Ibrahim Afellay and Arjen Robben are also notable absentees. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also requested that Van Marwijk rest Robin van Persie for this clash, so the Gunners striker also misses out.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Germany have met the Netherlands seven times before in total. Of those games, the Germans have won only once, drawing three and losing the remaining three.

• Germany have never won at home to the Netherlands.

• The match is being played at Hamburg's home ground, the Imtech Arena, familiar territory for Oranje defender Jeffrey Bruma, who unfortunately misses out due to injury.

• Netherlands striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar has scored 21 goals in 20 matches in all competitions this term at Bundesliga side Schalke.

• Equally devastating in front of goal, Mario Gomez has 20 goals in 18 appearances for club side Bayern Munich this season.

• Germany's last draw before Friday's match against Ukraine was versus Poland, which Die Mannschaft responded to by beating Turkey 3-1 away from home in the following game.

Prediction

A notoriously difficult one to call given Joachim Low's philosophy for this round of friendlies, the efficiency we're used to seeing from the Germans may be missing again, allowing history to favour the Dutch yet again for a narrow away win.

Editor's Prediction

Germany 1-2 Netherlands

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15.11. (Tue) 20:45 Italy - Uruguay

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ITALY Buffon Abate, Ranocchia, Chiellini, Criscito De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio Montolivo Balotelli, Pazzini

URUGUAY   Muslera Caceres, Godin, Lugano, A. Pereira M. Pereira, Perez, Arevalo, Rodriguez Fernandez, Cavani

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be buoyed by his side's performance against Poland on Friday, with Mario Balotelli particularly on form. The Manchester City man is likely to retain his place in attack.

The front remains an area of concern with Antonio Cassano recovering from heart surgery while Giuseppe Rossi is sidelined with a serious knee injury and might miss the Euro 2012 finals altogether. Sebastian Giovinco, meanwhile, was sent home earlier in the week after tests showed he had suffered a muscle strain.

The Azzurri face an opposition bang in form, courtesy of Luis Suarez' fantastic four-goal haul against Chile in World Cup qualifying on Friday night. However, Oscar Tabarez announced that the Liverpool forward's slight muscle strain means that he won't be risked in this encounter. Malaga's Seba Fernandez will take his place in attack.

Tabarez faces injuries to strikers Diego Forlan and Abel Hernandez, but Maxi Pereira will return to the squad after being suspended for the Chile match.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Italy are unbeaten in their last six matches, and did not lose in their successful Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

• Mario Balotelli scored once and set up the other goal for Pazzini during the Azzurri's win in Poland on Friday evening.

• Uruguay, have not lost in their last 12 fixtures, a run which includes their journey to the Copa America title during the summer.

• Due to Brazil entering the 2014 World Cup as hosts, only nine teams are competing in qualification, which is the reason for Uruguay's free week.

• Striker Luis Suarez scored four times against Chile in Friday's World Cup qualifier against Chile on Friday.

Prediction

A match with an array of world class attacking talent on either side. Both nations have came off impressive victories and will likely be treating this match as an opportunity to showcase their talents. Expect a free flowing game with a few goals, but in the end a draw looks the most likely result.

Editor's Prediction

Italy 2-2 Uruguay

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15.11. (Tue) 20:45 Ireland - Estonia

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Given O'Shea, Dunne, St.Ledger, Ward McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff Keane, Doyle

ESTONIA Pareiko Sisov, Jaager, Barengrub, Klavan Vunk, Dmitrijev, Kink, Kruglov Vasiljev Ahjupera

Giovanni Trapattoni has a few selection issues going in to the second leg at the Aviva Stadium. Fulham defender Stephen Kelly has been ruled out of the match after picking up a groin injury in training on Sunday, but John O'Shea has recovered from his hamstring problem and will likely replace Kelly in the Irish defence.


Damien Duff suffered a rib injury in the victory over Estonia on Friday, but he was able to take part in training on Sunday, and is back in contention for a starting place. Leon Best will miss the second leg after suffering groin and toe injuries and has returned to his club Newcastle for treatment.


Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has served his suspension and will likely be involved in the match whether it be in the starting XI or a substitute appearance.


Estonia have defensive problems heading in to the second leg. Central defenders Raio Piiroja and Andrei Stepanov are suspended after receiving two bookings each in the first leg loss. Tihhon Sisov may come in at right back with Enar Jaager slotting into the centre. Alo Barengrub may get the nod to make up the defensive pairing at the back.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Republic of Ireland go into this match with a healthy four goal advantage, having defeated Estonia 4-0 in the first leg of the play-off on Friday night.

• If Ireland manage to qualify, this will be the first time in 10 years that they have progressed to a major international tournament. They last competed in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

• Jon Walters scored his first international goal in the 4-0 win for Ireland in the first leg.

• Estonia had the majority of the possession in Friday's first leg defeat but still conceded four goals. They had 53% of of the ball in the game.

• After the loss in the first leg, Estonia have now lost three matches out of three in which they have played the Republic of Ireland.

• Estonia have never qualified for the Uefa European Championship or Fifa World Cup. They will need to score a minimum of five goals without reply in this match if this is to change.

Prediction

Republic of Ireland have all but booked their ticket to Poland and Ukraine after the 4-0 drubbing of Estonia on Friday night, so this match may prove to be an exhibition game for both sides. The Irish put on a fantastic away performance in the first leg and with their loyal fans behind them, you cannot see past another win for Giovanni Trapattoni's men.

Editor's Prediction

Ireland 2-0 Estonia

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15.11. (Tue) 20:15 Montenegro - Czech

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MONTENEGRO M. Bozovic Pacicevic, Dzudovic, Savic, V. Bozovic Pekovic, Drincic Vukcevic, Jovetic, Damjanovic Vucinic

CZECH REPUBLIC Cech Sivok, Selassie, R. Hubnik, Kadlec Rosicky, Plasil Jiracek, Rezek, Pilar Pekhart

Montenegro have Milan Jovanovic suspended after reaching his yellow card limit in qualification, so Stefan Savic is expected to come into the centre of defence, with Vladimir Bozovic filling in at left-back.
Marko Basa is ruled out of the game while Branko Boskovic is unlikely to feature despite shaking off a knock. Mirko Vucinic will lead the line with Dejan Damjanovic in support.
The Czech Republic are still without defensive midfielder Tomas Hubschmann, who is serving the last game of his three-match ban so Tomas Rosicky is expected to play in a deeper role in the middle of the park.
Tomas Hubnik has served his one-match ban, but is unlikely to come into the team with his brother Roman set to continue at the back. Milan Baros is fit, yet could find himself only starting the game on the bench after Tomas Pekhart impressed in the first-leg of this tie.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Montenegro have never qualified for a major tournament and will need to produce something special to turn around a 2-0 deficit in the second-leg on Tuesday evening.

• The Balkan nation only managed to net seven goals in their eight Group G games, never managing to score more than two in one match.

• Experienced midfielder, Milan Pekovic has picked up five yellow cards in qualification so far, more than any other player.

• The Czech Republic lost only one away fixture in their qualifying group, a 2-1 defeat to world and European champions Spain in March.

• The national side's captain, Tomas Rosicky featured in Euro 2000 and 2004, although he missed the 2008 championship through a long-term hamstring injury.

• Czech Republic reached the 2008 European Championship finals but only finished third in their group, resulting in Portugal and Turkey qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.

Prediction

Montenegro will give their all against the Czechs and could possibly grab victory on the night. However, turning around a 2-0 deficit will be tough and expect the visitors to grab a crucial away goal that will send them to Euro 2012.

Editor's Prediction

Montenegro 2-1 Czech Rep.

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