02.09. (Fri) 20:15 Bulgaria - England

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Bulgaria (4-1-4-1)
Mihaylov; Bandalovski, Bodurov, Ivanov, Zanev; S Petrov; Georgiev, Marquinhos, Manolev, M Petrov; Popov

Bulgaria should line up similarly to the side that earned a 1-1 draw away in Montenegro, however they will be missing attacking midfielder Hristo Yanev, which could see a chance for experienced old head Blagoy Georgiev of Terek Grozny to come into midfield.
They will be relying on Bolton winger Martin Petrov for a spark as, as ever, their most famous name, Dimitar Berbatov, is conspicuous by his absence.

England (4-2-3-1)
Hart; Smalling, Terry, Lescott, Cole; Lampard, Parker; Johnson, Rooney, Young; Bent

Fabio Capello faces a dilemma at right-back with regular starter Glen Johnson injured. Normally a central defender, Chris Smalling has excelled in the position at Manchester United at the start of this season and may find himself making his international debut in the same role ahead of Micah Richards, for who Capello has never shown any real interest.

The Italian may be tempted to field Liverpool’s Andy Carroll up front but Darren Bent’s recent international scoring record and a desire to avoid falling back into the flawed 4-4-2 formation should see him on the bench with Wayne Rooney playing behind the Aston Villa striker.

DID YOU KNOW?

England have drawn their past two games – 1-1 in a friendly with Ghana in March and 2-2 in their last qualifier against Switzerland in June.

Bulgaria’s trip to Wembley earlier in the first game of the qualifying group saw them lose 4-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Jermain Defoe.

Aston Villa’s Stilyan Petrov, captain for club and country, will equal his nation’s all-time appearance record, tying with goalkeeper Borislav Mihaylov on 102 assuming he plays in Sofia. Mihaylov, 48, is now President of the Bulgarian Football Union, and his son Nikolay, formerly of Liverpool, is likely to start this game.

The England squad contains five uncapped players – goalkeepers David Stockdale and Frankie Fielding, defenders Smalling and Phil Jones, and midfielder Tom Cleverley.

Bulgaria, on the other hand, include three players who could make their international debuts – midfielders Tsvetomir Tsonkov, Simeon Raykov and striker Georgi Bozhilov.

Wayne Rooney is two goals away from reaching England’s all-time top 10 goalscorers. If he nets a brace in Sofia he will join Steve Bloomer and Vivian Woodward on 28 goals. David Platt currently remains one ahead of the Manchester United man.

Prediction
Bulgaria 1-2 England

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02.09. (Fri) 20:00 Ghana - Swaziland

A step closer to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea

The west Africans are almost booking their flight to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, but will need to increase their goal tally to consolidate the current lead. Ghana top Group I with 10 points, tie with Sudan, but with a better goal difference.
A win against the King’s Shield is a must for the four-time African champions who demolished the Swazis in their own backyard with a 3-0 victory last September. The Black Stars are the favourites for this penultimate qualifying fixture, having won three of their four matches, along with a goalless draw against Sudan.

The World Cup quarter-finalists have conceded only a single goal and scored nine. The odds favour them and judging from their recent outings, they will not make things easy for their opponents – knowing that they will need just a draw to qualify for the continental showpiece in Sudan should they win this game.

Fighting for pride

The journey to the 28th edition of the Nations Cup for the Sihlangu Semnikati has virtually come to an end. They have not won any of their qualifying games up to this stage. The Swazis have conceded 11 goals, scored only two in four fixtures and sit at the bottom of the group with no points to claim.

It will take a great deal of effort for them to earn a point away in Ghana, considering the battle against the second best side on the continent. Their away track record has been dismal since the start of this campaign. They first lost to Congo in a 3-1 defeat in Brazzaville followed by another three without reply in Sudan.

A win over Ghana would bring back their lost pride and would certainly be a victory to celebrate considering the wide gap between themselves and the west Africans on the Fifa rankings.

TEAM NEWS

Ghana
Captain John Mensah has been ruled out of the game due to injury. Coach Goran Stevanovic is expected to start goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey of Stromgodest in between the posts, as well as give Bristol City’s Albert Adomah his debut. Striker Asamoah Gyan is back having served suspension for receiving red in their game against Sudan in October.
Probable Line-up: 
Adam Kwarasey; John Paintsil, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Samuel Inkoom; Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Anthony Annan, Sulley Muntari, Derek Boateng; Prince Tagoe, Asamoah Gyan

Swaziland
The team arrived safely in Ghana and is now training for Friday’s game from the PRESEC school grounds. No injury worries have hit their camp.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Sibusiso Mabuza (Buffaloes),Sandile Ginindza (Wanderers)
Defenders: Sifiso Nkambule (Leopard), Sabelo Gamedze (Highlanders), Sizwe Khumalo (Manzini Sundowns), Siboniso Malambe (Leopard), Jerome Ntshalintshali (Manzini Sundowns), Sihawu Dlamini (Leopard), Siyabonga Mdluli (Green Mamba), Ntobeko Mthimkhulu (Hellenic)
Midfielders: Nkosingiphile Tsabedze(Buffaloes), Lwazi Maziya (Wanderers), Celucolo Mmema (Manzini Sundowns), Tony Tsabedze(unattached), Dennis Masina (Orlando Pirates), Manqoba Kunene (Young Buffaloes)
Strikers: Mzwandile Ndzimandze (University of Pretoria), Zweli Nxumalo (Umbelebele), Mbuso Gina (Mhlambanyatsi Rovers), Mfanafuthi Bhembe (Mbabane Swallows), Sidumo Shongwe (Wanderers), Phinda Nkonyane (Leopard)

PREDICTION

The Ghanaians are the favourites for this game, taking into consideration their previous performances and character. The Swazis are honouring the match as a mere formality in terms of qualification, and know that they have nothing to lose.

Ghana 4-0 Swaziland

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Euro 2012 Qualifiers Group A-D Preview

Group A

1800 CET: Azerbaijan – Belgium

Azerbaijan have had a largely forgettable qualifying campaign thus far, picking up only one victory in Group A against Turkey, and needing a near miracle to reach the finals. Their last meeting with the Belgians ended with a heavy 4-1 defeat, and coach Berti Vogts must be hoping for a better performance from his team this time around.

With Germany having established an insurmountable lead in Group A with a perfect 21 points from seven games, the race for the runners-up spot takes centre stage. Belgium sit precariously in second place on 11 points, only one point ahead of Turkey. With only three games remaining for them in Group A, the pressure is on Belgium to emerge from tomorrow’s encounter with a comfortable three points.

1900 CET: Turkey - Kazakhstan

Guus Hiddink’s men may view this match-up as a straightfoward three points, given that they soundly defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 during the opening round of qualifying. Crucially, Turkey hold a game in hand over Belgium for the runners-up spot in Group A, and will be looking to press home that advantage against their Turkish opponents tomorrow while gaining a boost to their goal difference in the process.

Kazakhstan have been in dire straits during qualifying, with a lone win against Azerbaijan representing their only points in Group A so far. They will be looking to keep the score respectable against Turkey, to at least ensure that they do not suffer the embarrassment of finishing last in the group.

Group B

1800 CET: Russia – Macedonia

With Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland level on 13 points in Group B, Russia will know that there is no room for slip-ups against Macedonia. Dick Advocaat’s men are also level with the Irish with a plus-five goal difference, and will be looking to tomorrow’s match as a chance to considerably improve on that tally.

Macedonia started Group B in decent form, picking up four points from their opening three games. Since then they have been in freefall, losing their last three matches, including two against the Irish. With their hopes for qualification hanging by a thread, John Toshack will be eager for his team to defy the bookmakers and pull off a shock victory tomorrow.

1800 CET: Andorra – Armenia

Andorra’s Group B campaign has been as close to futility as one can get, with six defeats in six games and only a solitary goal scored. With elimination confirmed, they are purely playing for pride at this point, and should probably be satisfied with avoiding a rout

Armenia still have an outside chance of qualification for next summer’s tournament, sitting fourth on eight points, five behind Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland. The three-team deadlock at the top of the group may end up working in their favour, but there must be no mistake tomorrow against Group B’s cellar dwellers.

2045 CET: Republic of Ireland – Slovakia

With three teams in Group B on 13 points, Ireland’s lead at the top is minute, ahead of Russia only on goals scored. With every point and goal valuable at this stage, the Irish will be preparing to take all three points, and will look to captain Robbie Keane to add to his five goals in qualifying so far.

Meanwhile, Slovakia sit in third place, behind Russia and Ireland on goal difference. With only six goals from six different scorers in qualification so far, the Slovaks need to improve their attacking potency if they are to stand a chance of making it to the finals in less than a year’s time.

Group C

2045 CET: Slovenia – Estonia

Slovenia have bagged an impressive 11 points from seven games so far, and sit second in Group C. However, Nothern Ireland and Serbia are only two and three points behind respectively, and both teams hold a game in hand. A win here is crucial for Slovenia to maintain their second-placed standing, and put paid to Estonia’s hopes of playing for Poland and Ukraine once and for all.

For Estonia, this game acts as a qualification six-pointer, since a win will see them move onto 10 points, within one of Slovenia. A second-placed finish is still barely within their grasp, but defeat on Friday will open up an insurmountable seven-point gap on the runners-up spot with two games remaining.

Group D

1930 CET: Luxembourg – Romania

Tomorrow’s hosts Luxembourg have been eliminated from qualifying, and prop up Group D with a solitary point. The last time these two teams met in qualifying, Romania emerged 3-1 winners, and try as they might, Luxembourg will probably expect something similar this time around.

Romania meanwhile are still in with a shout of progressing from Group D with eight points, four points back of second-placed Belarus but with a game in hand. Victor Piturca and his team will surely be aiming for all three points and a significant boost to their goal difference in order to maintain their chances of qualification, especially since they will face the Belarusians in just over a month’s time.

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02.09. (Fri) 15:30 Venezuela - Argentina

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Venezuela (4-4-2): 
Romo/Hernandez; Vizcarrondo, Cichero, Rosales, Amorebieta; Rincon, Seijas, Gonzalez, Orozco; Fedor and J. Rondon

Cesar Farias will look to Salomon Rondon to bring his scoring touch in the battle against Argentina, while Nicolas Fedor looks set to join the Malaga man up top.

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

Alejandro Sabella will go with four in defence with Martin Demichelis making a return to the national side. The Malaga defender has not played for the senior team since last year's 1-0 victory over Ireland. Lionel Messi, as always, will be in the attack, joined by Real Madrid's attacking duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.

DID YOU KNOW?

Venezuela finished ahead of Argentina in the 2011 Copa America. Farias' men closed out the tournament in fourth place, falling to Peru in the third place match. Their opposition for Friday were knocked out in the quarter-finals to Uruguay.

Since the tournament, Venezuela have played two games, falling to Spain 3-0 before beating Guatemala 2-0.

Farias became the first coach of Venezuela to guide the country to the semi-finals of a Copa America.

Nine players on the team have never made an appearance in the senior side.

Argentina will play their first game under the former Estudiantes coach, who takes over the reigns of the national team after the dismissal of Sergio Batista, who was fired after failing to lead the team to glory in the Copa America in July.

Messi is now the captain of the squad, replacing Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano.

Goalkeeper Esteban Andrada is the only player in the team who does not play domestic football in Europe. The talented youngster plays for Lanus of the Argentine first division and may make his first appearance for his country at the senior level.

Another player who may make his first appearance is the highly-rated Ricardo Alvarez, a lanky, creative midfielder who joined Inter from Velez Sarsfield this summer.

Prediction

Venezuela 0-2 Argentina 

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29.08. (Mon) 21:00 Barcelona - Villarreal

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona (4-1-2-3):
Valdes; Montoya, Mascherano, Fontas, Abidal; Busquets; Fabregas, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa

Pep Guardiola faces the prospect of beginning la Liga without first-choice defenders Gerard Pique (calf), Dani Alves (suspended) and club captain Carles Puyol (knee). Furthermore, the Catalans are without experienced back-ups Maxwell and Adriano and could therefore draft in Martin Montoya at right-back and 21-year-old Andreu Fontas alongside Javier Mascherano in the centre.

Having played in Monaco on Friday, Guardiola may have hoped to rotate his squad but, despite playing at Camp Nou, Villarreal will pose a danger to Barcelona and as such their usual front three of Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa are likely to start on Monday night.

However, Guardiola may opt for Busquets and Fabregas to provide fresh impetus in midfield, replacing Seydou Keita and Xavi respectively who started in Barca’s Super Cup victory over Porto.

Ibrahim Afellay is still unavailable having failed to recover from a muscular strain in time for Monday night’s match.

Villarreal (4-3-1-2):
Diego Lopez; Mario, Musacchio, Zapata, Oriol; Bruno, Marchena, Cani; Valero; Nilmar, Rossi

The Yellow Submarine will travel to Camp Nou without captain Gonzalo Rodriquez, who is not expected back until early October due to a fractured fibula, with summer signing Cristian Zapata expected to make his La Liga debut alongside Mateo Musacchio in central defence.

Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi looks set to remain at Villarreal after a summer of speculation linking him to Italy was quelled when Rossi’s agent said: “Villarreal have taken him off the market after the sale of Santi Cazorla brought in the money the club needed.”

Barcelona were another club that Rossi had been linked to at one stage over the summer, but the move never materialised, giving Villarreal’s top scorer from last season the chance to show Barca what he is capable of.

DID YOU KNOW?

Guardiola has now led Barcelona to 12 trophies in just over three years at the club, a feat that takes him past Johan Cruyff’s 11 in eight seasons.

In this fixture last season Barcelona ran out 3-1 winners. After Nilmar had cancelled out David Villa’s early strike, a Lionel Messi brace in the second half proved too much for the Yellow Submarine.

Barcelona failed to score at Camp Nou just twice throughout the entirety of la Liga 2010-11; in a 0-0 draw against Deportivo la Coruna, and a 2-0 defeat to Hercules.

This fixture last brought a goalless draw back in 2003-04 season, so you can expect goals galore – although that match was played at the Camp Nou.

Villarreal last won at Camp Nou in the 2007-08 season, with a 2-1 triumph. Marcos Senna and Jon-Dahl Tomasson scored either side of a Xavi strike to give the Yellow Submarine all three points.

In the last 24 matches between these two sides there have been more than three goals scored on 13 occasions.

The Yellow Submarine secured a place in the Champions League proper after a 3-1 aggregate win over Danish club Odense. Garrido’s men have been drawn against Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Napoli in the group touted as the “Group of Death”.

Villarreal had the worst away record of the ‘Top Five’ last season; the Yellow Submarinemanaged just five wins, scoring 21 goals – failing to score on seven occasions.

Prediction

Guardiola's side will be on a high from their Super Cup triumph and although tiredness may creep in being this early in the season they should have enough to see off the challenge of the Yellow Submarines.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 2-1 Villarreal

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