02.-05. 03. 2012. PREDRAG JOKANOVIĆ (MADEIRA, PORTUGAL) PRED 21 KOLO

PORTUGAL 1

FEIRENSE – AKADEMIKA 1X – Domaćin je bez pobede sedam kola, a gosti osam rundi.
GIMARAEŠ – MARITIMO 1X - Svakako bez dvojke.
LEIRIJA – OLHANENSE 1 - Fiks za hrabrije.

PORTUGAL 2

ESTORIL – PENAFIEL 1X – Domaćin je sve bliži prvoj ligi.
AROUKA – AVES 1X - Aves ide na plasman u viši rang.
LEKSOA – PORTIMONENSE 1 - Šta drugo?
BELENENSES – TROFENSE 1 - Derbi začelja, prednost domaćinu.
MADEIRA – FREAMUNDE 1X - Lakše igramo na strani, jer nemamo pravog špica. Dođemo do šesnesterca, ali tu stanemo, zbog slabe realizacije.

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Championship Opta Facts - March 2-4

Blackpool v Hull

Blackpool have recovered more points (26) from losing positions than any other team in the Championship.
Blackpool have scored 73% of their goals in the second half, a higher percentage than any other side in the division.
Kevin Phillips has netted five goals in his last eight Championship matches, four them off the bench.
The Tangerines have gone eight games without a clean sheet in the league.
Hull have failed to score in six of their last nine league games.
Blackpool have won three and lost none of the last four meetings in all competitions with Hull.
There have been just four goals scored in Hull's last five away games.

Barnsley v Nottingham Forest

Barnsley have recovered the fewest points from losing positions of any team in the Championship (1).
Forest have conceded a division-high 34% of their goals from headers.
After drawing five games in a row in the Autumn, Barnsley have gone 24 matches without a draw since.
The Tykes have lost four of their last five matches.
Forest have won just one of the last six games against Barnsley.
Forest's last three away games have all ended with a 2-1 scoreline.

Birmingham v Derby

Birmingham have conceded a league high 33% of their goals from long range shots this season.
Defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out ended a run of 11 league games unbeaten for the Blues.
That match also ended a run of four clean sheets in a row at St Andrews.
Derby have failed to score in five of their last six Championship games, including the last four in a row.
The Rams have netted in the first half of just one of their last 14 league matches.
Derby's win over Birmingham earlier this season ended a run of eight games without a victory against the Blues for the Rams.
The Blues have scored exactly one goal in each of their last four home league games against Derby

Crystal Palace v Peterborough

Palace have conceded a league-high 73% of their goals after half-time in the Championship.
Peterborough have conceded a league-low 44% of their goals in the second half of games this season.
The Londoners are arguably the league's fast starters as they have scored a league-high 21% of their goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season.
Palace have kept three clean sheets in their last four Championship matches.
Peterborough have only netted more than once in a game on one occasion in their last 12 matches in the Championship.
The Posh have fired in more shots on target than any other team in the division (178).
Palace have won five and lost none of the last eight home games against Peterborough and have earned the win in the Posh's last four visits.

Doncaster v Brighton

Doncaster have scored a joint-high proportion of goals from headers this season (33%).
After losing four games in a row without scoring, Brighton have gone nine games without defeat.
The Seagulls have scored in the 88th minute or later in five of their last seven league games.
Doncaster have won none of their last six league games, drawing three and losing three.
Doncaster have mustered just 100 shots on target this season, fewer than any other team in the Championship.
There have been just seven goals scored in the last six meetings between Doncaster and Brighton.
Rovers have lost just one of their last seven home matches.

Ipswich v Bristol City

Ipswich have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Championship (21).
Bristol City have taken just one point from the last 18 available and conceded at least twice in each of their last five league matches.
The Robins have scored just eight goals in their last 14 Championship matches.
Michael Chopra has scored five goals in his last five Championship games.
Bristol City have the worst conversion rate in the Championship this season, finding the net with just 9% of their attempts.
City have failed to score in their last five games against Ipswich.
Town have won four and lost none of the last seven league games against Bristol City.

Leicester City v Coventry

Coventry have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Championship (21).
Leicester have scored a league-high proportion of 56% of their goals in the first half of games this season.
The Foxes have proved susceptible from set pieces, conceding a division-high 43% from set plays this season.
Coventry are the only team yet to win an away game in the Championship this season and they have lost the last nine in a row.
Leicester have hit the woodwork more often than any other side in the Championship (11).
The Foxes also have the most red cards in the second tier this season.
Four of the last five games between Leicester and Coventry have been draws, the exception being the reverse fixture earlier this season that saw the Foxes win 1-0 away

Millwall v Reading

Reading have dropped fewer points form winning positions than any other team in the Championship (2).
41% of Reading's goals have been netted in the final 15 minutes of games, a divisional high.
Millwall have won just two of their last 10 Championship matches and kept just one clean sheet in those games.
Reading have won their last five league games in a row without conceding.
Reading are unbeaten in their last six games against Millwall winning four and drawing two.
Millwall have taken just one point from the last 15 available at the New Den.
The Royals have won their last three games on the road.

Portsmouth v Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have won just two of their last nine Championship matches.
Portsmouth have failed to score in four of their last five Championship matches.
The last four meetings between Portsmouth and Middlesbrough have all ended as draws.
There have been just five goals scored in the last five meetings between Pompey and Boro at Fratton Park.
Pompey have won just one of their last five home games and failed to score in the last three at Fratton Park.

Watford v Burnley

Burnley have scored a joint-high proportion of goals from headers this season (33%).
Watford have scored a league-high proportion of goals from outside the box this season (33%).
Burnley have scored more goals from corners (9) than any other team in the Championship.
Jay Rodriguez has scored six goals in his last eight Championship matches.
In the last 10 meetings between Watford and Burnley only one side has managed a clean sheet on one occasion.
Watford have led in five of the last six meetings with Burnley but only won one, with Burnley winning three and drawing two.

Leeds Utd v Southampton

Southampton are unbeaten in their last six Championship games, winning three of the last four.
Southampton have won four of the last five league games against Leeds.
Leeds have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 league games at Elland Road.
The Saints are on their best run of away form this season, being unbeaten in their last four road trips.
Robert Snodgrass has the joint-most assists in the Championship this season (10).
Southampton have the best conversion rate in the Championship, scoring with 18% of their shots.

Cardiff v West Ham

Cardiff have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Championship (21).
Part of the reason for this is their propensity to concede late as they have shipped a division-high proportion of 36% of goals conceded in the final 15 minutes of games.
City have scored a divisional high 46% of goals from set pieces.
Only Cardiff and Reading have scored a higher proportion from set plays than West Ham (41%).
The Bluebirds have won just one of their last five league games and lost three of the last four.
The Hammers have the best away record in the Championship with 30 points on the road this season.
West Ham have lost just one of their last eight Championship games.

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01.03. (Thu) 01:00 Chile - Ghana

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHILE BravoO. Gonzalez, M. Gonzalez, L. Dominguez, J. Rojas Diaz, Jorquera, Fuenzalida Suazo, Sanchez, Vargas

GHANA Kwarasey Paintsil, Mensah, Boye, Alhassan Acquah, Asamoah, Annan, Muntari D. Oduro, Baffour

Chile have named a 21-man squad made up of 12 local and nine foreign-based players, including Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez. They have the upper hand in the game psychologically because the west Africans are down and raising a team for this game was fraught with visa processing difficulties.

The Black Stars are going into this match in a very low spirit. Apart from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) disappointment, the team is imaginably divided.

Issues of indiscipline among players have emerged after the continental showpiece. Coach Goran Stevanovic himself mentioned in his technical report on the tournament that players were outdoing each other with black power resulting in divisions within the team.

Samuel Inkoom, Prince Tagoe, John Mensah, Charles Takyi, Agyemang Badu, Ernest Sowah, Mohammed Abu and Isaac Vorsah have been dropped from the Afcon squad for the friendly against Chile.

Asamoah Gyan has quit international football due to excessive criticism from fans. Reports are also emerging that the Ayew brothers named in the 18-man squad for this game may not make the trip due to injury worries.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic is unsure of his fate with the team pending a decision that will be taken this week.

• This is the Black Stars’ first major outing after placing fourth at the 2012 Nations Cup held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

• Three new players have had their debut call-ups in the 18-man squad set to line up against the South Americans.

• Chile is ranked 13th in the Fifa rankings.

• This is the first time Chile is meeting Ghana at the senior level.

• The nickname of the South American team is La Roja, meaning The Red One.

Prediction

The Chileans are well placed to win this encounter, and the Ghanaians will need to do something special to avoid defeat.

Editor's Prediction

Chile 3-1 Ghana

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29.02. (Wed) 21:00 England - Netherlands

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ENGLAND Hart Richards, Jones, Cahill, Cole Gerrard, Parker, Milner Sturridge, Welbeck, Young

NETHERLANDS Stekelenburg Boulahrouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Pieters Van Bommel, Strootman Kuyt, Sneijder, Van Persie Huntelaar

For England, Micah Richards is in line to start at right-back after Kyle Walker picked up an ankle injury in Tottenham's clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

James Milner is in contention to start in midfield as Gareth Barry is struggling with a back problem, whilst Tom Cleverley also had to withdraw due to an ankle problem.

Darren Bent suffered ankle ligament damage on Saturday and Wayne Rooney withdrew from the squad due to a throat infection, making way for a new look attack

Fraizer Campbell of Sunderland received his first England call-up after returning from long-term injury but is likely to start on the bench.

The Oranje are missing regular right back Gregory van der Wiel through injury meaning the experienced Khalid Boulahrouz is likely to start.

Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart withdrew from the squad after an ankle injury at the weekend.

In attack, Arjen Robben may feature but has been struggling to return to full fitness after groin surgery in October.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Stuart Pearce’s first game as caretaker manager takes place in a friendly that was rescheduled following last summer's London riots. The match was originally to be played in August.

• Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley received his first call-up England ahead of the cancelled game, and will have to wait again to make his debut after withdrawing from the squad with an ankle problem.

• Robin van Persie’s (pictured right) last goal for the Netherlands, his 25th, moved him to 10th place in the list of top scorers for the Oranje, one ahead of Marco Van Basten. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar stands at 7th on the list with 30.

• England qualified undefeated for Euro 2012, where they will face Ukraine, France, and Sweden in the group stage. They won their group after a tense 2-2 draw with Montenegro sealed their progress and have since won friendly matches 1-0 against Spain and Sweden.

• England’s overall record against the Netherlands reads won five, drawn nine, and lost four. However, their last four fixtures going back to 2002 were all draws. 

• The last game in August 2009 finished 2-2 in Holland after Jermain Defoe appeared as a second-half substitute to pull England back from two goals down.

• Netherlands lie in third place in the Fifa World Rankings, two places above England in 5th, having reached the World Cup 2010 final in South Africa under coach Bert Van Marwijk, where they lost 1-0 after extra time to Spain.

• The Oranje qualified comfortably for Euro 2012 where they will face Germany, Portugal and Denmark in the group stage. They won nine of their 10 games in qualifying, losing only their final match against Sweden. However, their form has since deserted them with a 0-0 draw against Switzerland and a 3-0 defeat to Germany their last results in friendlies.

Prediction

Editor's Prediction

England 1-1 Netherlands  

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29.02. (Wed) 21:00 Spain - Venezuela

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

SPAIN CasillasArbeloa, Puyol, Ramos, Alba Xavi, Busquets, AlonsoIniesta/Muniain, Llorente, Silva

VENEZUELA Romo Rosales, Tunez, Vizcarrondo, Quijada Rincon, FloresGonzalez, Miku, Orozco S Rondon

Athletic Bilbao starlet Iker Muniain could make his international debut for Spain when they face Venezuela in a friendly in Malaga on Wednesday.

Roberto Soldado is also in line to receive his first international cap since 2007, after an impressive campaign that has seen him tally 20 goals for Valencia in all competitions.

With Wednesday's friendly being the last opportunity for Spain coach Vicente del Bosque to see his players in international action before he names his squad for the Euros, the strike duo will be staking their claim for a seat on the flight to La Roja's summer base in Gdansk, Poland.

Meanwhile, Sevilla forward Alvaro Negredo has withdrawn from the squad for the Rosaleda clash after he suffered a muscle tear in Sunday's win at Valencia, while all-time leading scorer David Villa has been sidelined until April with a broken leg.

Fernando Torres, who has scored just once for his country in the last 18 months, is omitted from the squad, along with Barcelona's Pedro.

Venezuela coach Cesar Farias could be without the services of defender Fernando Amorebieta, who is nursing a muscle problem. Malaga star Salomon Rondon is likely to lead the South American side's attack in familiar surroundings.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Spain qualified for Euro 2012 by winning all eight of their fixtures, only the fourth time a nation has advanced to the finals of the European Championships with a 100 per cent record.

• However, La Roja have failed to win on their last two outings - a 1-0 friendly defeat to England in November was followed by a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica.

• Barcelona are the best-represented club in Spain's 24-man squad for Wednesday's friendly with eight players, followed by Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid (four players each).

• Venezuela, who are the only national team in Conmebol to never have qualified for a World Cup, are third in South America's 2014 World Cup qualifying table, level on points with Argentina after four rounds.

• La Vinotinto enjoyed their best-ever finish at the Copa America in last year's edition, reaching the semi-finals before falling to Paraguay in a penalty shootout.

• Venezuela lost 3-0 to a David Villa-inspired Spain the last time the two teams met in a friendly in June 2011.

Prediction

With Villa injured and Torres out of form, one might be tempted to think Spain's attack is in trouble only months before their Euro 2012 Group C opener against Italy. But such is the depth of talent in the Spanish side these days that they may not even miss the strike pair - Fernando Llorente, Juan Mata, David Silva and Muniain are all in form and are more than capable replacements, and they should guide the hosts to a comfortable win on Wednesday.

Editor's Prediction

Spain 3-0 Venezuela

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29.02. (Wed) 20:45 Wales - Costa Rica

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

Wales HennesseyMatthews, Collins, Williams, Gunter Ledley, Allen, CroftsBellamy, Morison, Bale

Costa Rica NavasUmana, Diaz, Miller, Oviedo Azofeifa, Tejeda, Wallace, Barrantes Ruiz, Campbell

Aaron Ramsey has dropped out of the Wales squad after picking up an ankle injury in Arsenal's FA Cup loss to Sunderland.

Back-up keeper Boaz Myhill (Achilles) is also a doubt for the home side.

Costa Rica's prolific striker Alvaro Saborio is not available for the friendly after the Real Salt Lake man suffered a knee injury in an MLS game against LA Galaxy.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Costa Rica were the chosen opponents for this match in memory of the late Gary Speed because they were the side he made his international debut against in 1990.

• Speed's debut against Costa Rica finished with Wales winning 1-0.

• Costa Rica are unbeaten in their last three games against Spain, Cuba and Venezuela.

• Wales have won five of their last six matches, only falling to beat England.

• During Speed's spell as manager of Wales they moved from 117th to 45th in the Fifa World Rankings, claiming the title of best movers at the end of 2011.

• Craig Bellamy is Wales' 5th top scorer only nine goals short of all-time leader Ian Rush.

• This is manager Jorge Luis Pinto's second stint in charge of Costa Rica after a short spell in 2004-2005.

• Costa Rica legend Paolo Wanchope is now assistant manager of the national side.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Wales 2-1 Costa Rica

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29.02. (Wed) 20:45 Northern Ireland - Norway

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

NORTHERN IRELAND Camp Duff, Evans, Hughes, McAuley McGinn, Davis, Clingan, McCann Healy, Paterson

NORWAY Jarstein Hogli, Hangeland, Demidov, Riise Braaten, Grindheim, Jenssen, Pedersen Huseklepp, Abdellaoue

With a combination of youth and experience in his squad, Michael O’Neill’s first Northern Ireland selection has a strong look to it, despite the recent withdrawals of Craig Cathcart and Warren Feeney through injury.

With just an 18-man squad to choose from and a great deal of inexperience within that squad, Egil Olsen’s options are somewhat limited, but he will be hopeful that his four English-based players can have a great impact.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This game will be Michael O’Neill’s first game in charge of the national side. O’Neill earned 33 caps for Northern Ireland between 1988 and 1996, and made history as manager of Shamrock Rovers as he guided them to the group stages of the Europa League, the first League of Ireland side to reach that stage of a European competition.

• Fulham’s Aaron Hughes recently performed a U-turn on his international retirement,  less than six months after his initial announcement.

• Currently ranked 86 in the Fifa rankings, Northern Ireland face Portugal, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg in their 2014 World Cup qualifying group.

• Striker David Healy (pictured right) is the leading all-time goalscorer for Northern Ireland, having scored 35 goals in 89 games since his debut in 2000. The second-highest goalscorer is Billy Gillespie, who scored 13 goals in 25 appearances between 1913 and 1932.

• Northern Ireland have lost their last four games against Norway, and last beat the Norwegians in 1975, when they won 3-0 at Windsor Park in a qualifier for the 1976 European Championships.

• In their last game, an international friendly in 2004, the Northern Irish were beaten 4-1 at Windsor Park in former manager Lawrie Sanchez’s first game in charge thanks to two goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen, one from Steffan Iversen and a Keith Gillespie own goal. David Healy’s goal in the second half ended a run of 14 games without a goal, a run of 1298 minutes.

• The Norwegians last played international football in January, as they participated in the King’s Cup in Thailand, finishing third in a group of four thanks to a draw with a Denmark League XI, a victory over the Thai hosts and a 3-0 defeat to South Korea’s Under-23s.

• Norway unluckily finished third in their qualifying group for the 2012 European Championships, finishing level on points with second-placed Portugal but being edged out of the play-offs on goal difference by the Portuguese.

• Fulham’s John Arne Riise is just five caps away from breaking the all-time appearance record for the Norwegian national side. Currently, he has exactly 100 caps, level with former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United defender Henning Berg, and is looking to break the record of 104 set by Thorborjn Svenssen between 1947 and 1962.

Prediction

It promises to be a tough game for Northern Ireland, with Norway highly ranked by Fifa and only missing out on Euro 2012 on goal difference behind Portugal.
However, in their first game under new manager Michael O’Neill, the Northern Irish will be keen to put on a good showing, and should be confident of using the atmosphere of Windsor Park to their advantage, meaning that this promises to be a close encounter.

Editor's Prediction

Northern Ireland 1-1 Norway

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29.02. (Wed) 20:45 Italy - USA

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

ITALY Buffon Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, Criscito Nocerino, Pirlo, De Rossi Montolivo Matri, Pazzini

USA Howard C'dolo, Cameron, Parkhurst, Bocanegra Edu, Bradley Dempsey, Kljestan, Shea Altidore

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is expected to ring the changes from November's disappointing 1-0 reverse to Uruguay, starting in defence. Ignazio Abate, Andrea Barzagli and Domenico Criscito are set to be rewarded for their impressive form of late by being given starting berths at the expense of Christian Maggio, Andrea Ranocchia and Federico Balzaretti.

Claudio Marchisio should also see himself dropped from the XI, as Antonio Nocerino is set to be handed a start in midfield. The former Palermo man should line up alongside seasoned pros Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi.

In attack, Alessandro Matri and Giampaolo Pazzini are to replace previous pairing Mario Balotelli and Pablo Osvaldo, with the pair absent from the ex-Fiorentina boss' latest squad.

Meanwhile for USA, Jurgen Klinsmann is sure to name a more conventional side from the team that picked up a 1-0 win at Panama in their last match, with up to seven changes likely to take effect. The alterations should see Everton's Tim Howard return in goal, while experienced duo Steven Cherundolo and Carlos Bocanegra are ready to return to their rightful places in defence.

Maurice Edu are Michael Bradley are also set to anchor the team in midfield, and the late call-ups of Anderlecht star Sasha Kljestan and Dallas winger Brek Shea will see both players hope to impress alongside Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore going forward.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Italy's loss to Uruguay ended a run of four wins in five games, but they have not experienced back-to-back defeats under Prandelli.

• All three of the Azzurri's defeats under the ex-Fiorentina coach have come in international friendlies.

• Regardless, they are unbeaten against USA in their three previous meetings, winning two and drawing the other.

• USA go into the match on the back of three consecutive victories, including two straight clean sheets against Venezuela and Panama.

• However, bar their 3-2 win over Slovenia, they have scored no more than one goal in their eight other games under Jurgen Klinsmann.

• USA have never beaten Italy in their three previous encounters.

• The two teams faced each other in both the 2006 World Cup and the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Prediction

Prandelli is likely to shuffle his squad for this contest, but his team should have more than enough in the tank to record a friendly victory.

Editor's Prediction

Italy 1-0 USA

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29.02. (Wed) 20:45 Ireland - Czech

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND GivenSt Ledger, O'Shea, O'Dea, Ward McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, McCleanDoyle, Keane

CZECH REPUBLIC CechSelassie, Sivok, Rajnoch, Kadlec Pilar, Jiracek, Hubschman, Plasil Baros, Rezek

Republic of Ireland have a number of injury concerns going into the midweek international friendly. Richard Dunne and Darron Gibson were declared unfit to play earlier in the week.

Stephen Kelly and Keiren Westwood have withdrawn from the squad after suffering from thigh and wrist problems respectively. There was some concern over the fitness of Kevin Doyle and Keith Fahey, who both missed training on Monday, but both are expected to take part.

Sunderland midfielder James McClean is expected to play some part in the match and Giovanni Trapattoni may also hand a debut to centre-back Shane Duffy.

Czech Republic were rocked by the news on Monday that Tomas Rosicky would miss the match after he suffered a back strain in the north London derby against Tottenham. Influential defender Roman Hubnik has also been ruled out with a foot injury.

Michal Bilek has called up Jiri Strajner and David Limbersky up as replacements.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last time Republic of Ireland faced Czech Republic, the latter ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Marek Jankulovski.

• Ireland are currently 20th in the Fifa World Rankings.

• Giovanni Trapattoni's men are heading to Euro 2012 thanks to their 5-1 aggregate victory over Estonia in the qualification play-offs.

• Czech Republic are 29th in the Fifa World Rankings.

• The Czech's have been paired in a group with Poland, Russia, and Greece at Euro 2012.

• Since their independence, the Czech Republic have never failed to qualify for the European Championships.

Prediction

In front of a packed Aviva stadium, Ireland will have an advantage over Czech Republic due to the backing of the home fans. The visitors have been known recently to play in a rigid manner so a draw will suit Michal Bilek, but with likes of Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane, and Kevin Doyle at the disposal of Giovanni Trapattoni, they may just have the quality to sneak a win.

Editor's Prediction

Ireland 2-1 Czech Republic

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29.02. (Wed) 20:45 Poland - Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal

PROBABLE LINEUPS

POLAND Szczesny Wasilewski, Perquis, Wawrzyniak, Piszczek Matuszczyk, PolanskiBlaszczykowski, Mierzejewski, Peszko Lewandowski

PORTUGAL Patricio J. Pereira, Pepe, B. Alves, Coentrao Moutinho, Veloso, MeirelesNani, Postiga, Ronaldo

Werder Bremen defender Sebastian Boenisch has been included in the Poland squad after more than a year out because of a serious knee injury. Lille forward Ireneusz Jelen has been recalled for the first time since February 2011.

Portugal coach Paulo Bento had two last-minute worries in the build-up to this match, as Silvestre Varela and Carlos Martins both picked up injuries at the weekend. Toulouse midfielder Paulo Machado is the only player called up as a replacement, meaning Portugal will take a 22-man squad to Warsaw.

Benfica striker Nelson Oliveira could make his international debut for the senior squad after shining for the national team's youth ranks at the Under-20 World Cup in the summer.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This is only the second time that Poland will compete in the European Championships - the first occasion was in 2008.

• In Austria and Switzerland, Poland, who were then guided by Leo Beenhakker, crashed out of the tournament after the group stage, with one point from three matches.

• Poland will take on Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic in this summer's showpiece event.

• Portugal finished runners-up to Denmark in the qualifying stage, with 16 points from 19 matches.

• The Seleccao qualified for the European Championships via the play-offs - defeating Bosnia & Herzegovina 6-2 on aggregate.
  
• The Euro 2004 runners-up have been drawn in the 'Group of Death', with Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

• This will be the ninth match in history between the two sides. Each team has claimed three victories, while two matches ended in stalemates.

Prediction

The Seleccao should prove too hot for Poland to handle here - especially if they show the same level of form from the second-leg of the play-off round against Bosnia.

Editor's Prediction

Poland 0-2 Portugal

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29.02. (Wed) 20:30 Slovenia - Scotland

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SLOVENIA Handanovic Cesar, Suler, Brecko, Jokic Kirm, Radosavljevic, Ilicic, Birsa Matavz, Ljubijankic

SCOTLAND McGregor Foster, Caldwell, Berra, Mulgrew Adam Forrest, Cowie, Morrison, Mackie Miller

Slovenia coach Slavisa Stojanovic goes into his second game in charge of the national side after replacing Matjaz Kek without the veteran duo of Hull City’s Robert Koren and Koln striker Milivoje Novakovic.

Stojanovic is also sweating on the fitness of his talented young forward, Tim Matavz, who recently played in PSV’s 3-2 victory over Feyenoord despite carrying an injury.

Scotland boss Craig Levein will be without the services of Celtic captain Scott Brown, Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley and Blackpool winger Matt Phillips, who recently switched his allegiance from England where he was capped at under-20 level.

Similarly Bristol City full-back Richard Foster has been called up in place of Aston Villa's Alan Hutton, who has withdrawn from the squad due to injury.

However, Levein is boosted by the return of Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who has been recalled to the national side despite only playing in three reserve games for Martin
O’Neill’s side.

Levein has also handed a first call-up to Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew, after the 25-year-old’s superb performances for the Parkhead side took them top of the Scottish Premier League.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Slovenia failed to qualify from Euro 2012 Group C, finishing behind Italy, Estonia and Serbia, which led to the sacking of Kek.

• Stojanovic suffered a defeat in his opening game in charge of, losing 3-2 to the USA in November.

• The Slovenians are currently ranked 27th in Fifa World rankings, 21 places above their opponents.

• Scotland boss Levein's original squad announcement included seven players who were born in England.

• Cardiff striker Kenny Miller (pictured right) is the top goalscorer in the current Scotland squad with 16 goals whilst second-placed players Gary Caldwell and Jamie Mackie have two apiece.

• Miller comes into the game on the back of disappointment in the League Cup final. His side lost out on penalties to Liverpool after a 2-2 draw following extra time.

• The sides have met twice during the World Cup 2006 qualifiers, were they drew at Hampden before Darren Fletcher, James McFadden and Paul Hartley helped Walter Smith’s side claim a victory in Celje.

Prediction

Having failed to reach Euro 2012, both sides will be looking to use this game in order to start the rebuilding process as they look towards the World Cup 2014 qualifiers.
With Slovenia having fallen to defeat at home to the USA in Slavisa Stojanovic’s first match in charge they will be looking to rectify the situation with a victory.
Meanwhile, Scotland will be hoping to continue from where they left off in their previous friendly fixture away to Cyprus as Levein’s side prepare for a double header against Serbia and Macedonia in September.

Editor's Prediction

Slovenia 1-1 Scotland

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