International Opta Facts - February 29

England v Netherlands

The last four meetings between England and Holland (all friendlies) have ended as draws.
England's last eight goals against the Netherlands have been scored by strikers.
This is Holland's first game at Wembley since the 4-1 defeat to England in Euro 1995.
Current England boss Stuart Pearce was in the England starting XI the last time they faced Holland at Wembley.
England have won only one of their last 11 encounters with the Netherlands (that game in 1996).
After going unbeaten in 14 games following the 2010 World Cup final, the Netherlands have lost two of their last three games, drawing the other.
Despite topping the Premier League goal-charts with 23 goals so far, Robin van Persie has only got on the scoresheet in one of his last seven appearances for the Oranje (although it was a four-goal haul against San Marino in September 2011).
The Three Lions have lost just one of their last 14 games (including friendlies), winning nine and drawing four.
At home, England have suffered just one defeat in their last 21 games (including friendlies).
Only one of England's last eight international goals has come in the second-half.
England have scored exactly one goal in their last four friendlies at Wembley.

Wales v Costa Rica

The two nations have only met on one previous occasion, in 1990 in Cardiff, when the home side won 1-0. Gary Speed, Wales' recently deceased manager made his international debut in that game.
Wales have now won three games in a row, a feat they last achieved back in March 2008. They last won four games in a row all the way back in late 1980/early 1981.
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has scored in each of Wales' last three games.
Costa Rica are unbeaten in three games, including a surprise 2-2 draw with World Champions Spain back in November 2011.

Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic

These two sides have met on 19 occasions (including Czechoslovakia), with the Czech side winning 11 and two games drawn.
Their last meeting came in Prague in September 2007, when the home side won a Euro qualifier 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Marek Jankulovski.
The Irish are now unbeaten in 11 international games (including friendlies), winning seven and drawing four.
In scoring for Arsenal against Tottenham at the weekend, Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky ended a personal goal drought of 49 league games.
Ireland have only lost to the Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia once in the last five meetings in Ireland, winning three and drawing one.

Northern Ireland v Norway

The two sides have met on seven previous occasions, with the Irish registering just one victory, losing the other six.
Norway scored four goals in both of their last two victories against Northern Ireland, in 4-1 in 2004, and 4-0 in 2001.
Northern Ireland have managed just one win in their last 13 games (including friendlies); a 4-0 home win in the Euro qualifiers against the Faroe Islands last August.
The Scandinavians have enjoyed just two wins in their last seven games on the road (including friendlies).
Northern Ireland have failed to find the back of the net in five of their last eight games (including firendlies).

Slovenia v Scotland

The two nations have only met on two previous occasions, during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, with the sides drawing 0-0 in Glasgow but Scotland winning 3-0 in Celje.
The Scottish have only suffered one defeat in their last six games (including friendlies).
The Slovenians have only won one of their last five internationals (including friendlies), losing three and drawing one.
Scotland have alternated a win and a loss in their last seven away games. If this run continues they will lose this game.
Tim Matavz has bagged three goals in total in his last three games for Slovenia.

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28.02. (Tue) 20:00 Bosnia and H. - Brazil

Egypt- Brazil

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Begovic Spahic, Jahic, Papac Salihovic, Pjanic, Rahimic, Misimovic, Lulic Dzeko, Ibisevic

BRAZIL Julio Cesar Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo Fernandinho, Sandro Lucas Moura, Ganso, Neymar Damiao

Bosnia & Herzegovina coach Safet Susic has hinted the he may field two strikers in the form of Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic, meaning a defender could be compromised in order to accommodate what is a talented midfield.

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Mehmed Alispahic is likely to be given a run-out as the trainer looks to make minimal alterations to his core squad.

After only being able to select foreign-based players for the friendlies with Gabon and Egypt, Mano Menezes had no restrictions this time around. However, Robinho, Kaka, Alexandre Pato and Maicon have all been snubbed by the coach.

Danilo had to withdraw through injury and his former team-mate at Santos, Rafael, is doubtful after picking up a knock. Jonas and Hernanes are in with a strong chance to start, following their impressive performances against Gabon and Egypt in the Selecao's previous outing.

DID YOU KNOW

• Bosnia & Herzegovina were defeated by Portugal at the play-off stage of qualifying for both World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

• The Balkan side have not won a game since their 5-0 triumph over Luxembourg in October 2011.

• Susic's team are currently positioned 19th in the FIFA rankings, the highest in the nation's history.

• Brazil ended as winners the last time these two nations met in 1996. A 20-year-old Ronaldo scored the only goal of the game with a superb free kick.

• Menezes' men are unbeaten in seven matches. Their last defeat was inflicted by Germany, who defeated the Selecao 3-2.

• Ronaldinho could become the joint-seventh most capped Brazilian player alongside Gilmar on 94 caps, should he make an appearance. A goal would see him move to joint-sixth top scorer alongside Rivaldo on 34 goals.

Prediction

This is going to be a very difficult game for the five-time World Cup winners. Bosnia & Herzegovina have a very strong midfield and attack, but have frailties in defence. With options such as Neymar, Ganso, Ronaldinho and Leandro Damiao, however, you cannot help but think the Selecao will exploit such weaknesses. That said, Bosnia have two imposing strikers in Vedad Ibisevic and Edin Dzeko, who will be difficult to take out of the game, but Mano Menezes' team should be able to secure the victory

Editor's Prediction

Bosnia 1-2 Brazil

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29.02. 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying round-up preview

 

Ethiopia - Benin | Wednesday, February 29
Neither team survived the battles of their respective groups during the 2012 Afcon qualifiers owing to the presence of big guns Guinea and Nigeria for Ethiopia and Cote d’Ivoire for Benin. However, there are indications this time on both sides that determination is high to reach the finals of South Africa 2013, and the Squirrels have considerably overhauled their outfit with the arrival of a new coach in Frenchman Manuel Amoros, who has vowed to come back from the Addis Ababa meeting with a victory.

Congo - Uganda | Wednesday, February 29
Congo have not qualified for the Afcon finals for the past 10 years while Uganda have not been part of proceedings for the last two decades. The 1972 champions are still struggling to revive their once brilliant football, but efforts have been clogged along the line by political crisis and disorganisation at the football federation. Uganda are at risk while playing away from home, but coach Jean-Guy Wallemme is counting on a fast-improving set-up for a possible surprise in Brazzaville.

Burundi - Zimbabwe | Wednesday, February 29
Burundi finished third in their group during the 2012 qualifiers, holding Benin to 1-1 draw in Cotonou and narrowly losing 1-0 to continental giants Cote d’Ivoire. The Swallows are aspiring not to miss the 2013 Afcon, but they must kick start the race favourably against Zimbabwe, who also finished third in the previous qualifying phase.
Gambia - Algeria | Wednesday, February 29  
Algeria were one of the surprising absentees of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, having eliminated Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals of the 2010 edition. Their failure to book a place to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea may likely be made up for this time, but their trip to Banjul needs to be fortuitous, considering the weaknesses they evinced in their away fixtures during the 2012 qualifying.

Kenya - Togo | Wednesday, February 29
Kenya were strong in the 2012 qualifying campaign but were outrun by teams like
Angola and Uganda. The Harambee Stars will not want to repeat a home draw this time, as Uganda forced them to do last year. Adebayor, who now carries the hope of Togo for a ticket to South Africa 2013 will try his best in an unfamiliar ground.

Sao Tome e Principe - Sierra Leone | Wednesday, February 29
Sierra Leone are debuting with a relatively easy opponent, but playing away might not present as rosy a match as pundits are suggesting.

Guinea Bissau - Cameroon | Wednesday, February 29
With new coach Denis Lavagne, good things may be in store for the Indomitable Lions once again, according to many local fans and officials. The match against Guinea Bissau, although far from being a strong adversary, will be the former Coton Sport manager’s first real test, and being that he will be doing without former captain Samuel Eto’o who is serving a ban, observers are expecting to see how different the Frenchman is from others who have failed before him.

Chad - Malawi | Wednesday, February 29
Both sides were pitted against each other in Group K of the 2012 Afcon qualifying, with tickets eventually clinched by Botswana and Tunisia. Malawi had dominated Chad 8-4 on aggregate and are poised to repeat that performance which Chad must counter if they want to move on.

Seychelles - DR Congo | Wednesday, February 29
The two-time African champions DR Congo have failed to qualify for the finals since 2006 when they last appeared and reached the quarter-finals. They finished third behind Cameroon in Group E during the 2012 campaign, but with the arrival of a new coach Claude Le Roy, who has great knowledge of the team having served there from 2004 to 2006, hopes are rising that the Frenchman could bring back the old good days. Playing Seychelles in an away fixture will be his first real test.

Tanzania - Mozambique | Wednesday, February 29
Tanzania finished at the bottom of Group D in the previous qualifiers with five points and are debuting in this edition with a clash against Mozambique, who finished fourth with seven points the last time around. Both teams seem relatively well balanced, which suggests an explosive encounter on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam.

C.A.R - Egypt | Postponed, June 30
Egypt’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Central African Republic has been moved from February 29 to June 30 due to the recent unrest in the country that followed the Port Said tragedy during which at least 74 people were killed. The most successful African team Egypt need to prove through this match against Central African Republic that they are recovering from the loss of form that cost them a ticket to the 2012 Afcon. This game will draw much attention because it will either confirm the demise of the Pharaohs or prove observers quite wrong.

Madagascar - Cape Verde | Wednesday, February 29
Both teams are struggling to climb on board in continental football. Cape Verde were quite inspiring at the start of the 2012 Afcon qualifying, having occupied pole position in Group A, which included Mali, who eventually snaffled the ticket by equalling the Islanders' 10 point tally, but on better goal difference. Carting away with a good result from Madagascar will be a great motivation for the Blue Sharks.

Liberia - Namibia | Wednesday, February 29
Both teams were bottom-finishers last time. Their ambition might still be to reach the Afcon finals at all cost, but toiling starts from this encounter.

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