Thursday 8 October 2009

World Cup: European qualification groups five to nine

As we come to the last pair of qualifying games in the European groups, there are still some fascinating possibilities. Here we look at groups five to nine.

In group five Spain have already qualified with eight wins out of eight. It looks as though Bosnia-Herzegovina will take the runners-up spot at the expense of Turkey.

England have won group six, also with eight straight wins. Ukraine will be favourites for runners-up spot if they beat England on Saturday; otherwise it will be Croatia for the play-offs.

In group seven Serbia are favourites, as they sit top, four points ahead of France. It is possible, but unlikely, that Austria could pip the French for a play-off place.

Italy are not guaranteed to win group eight, but only need a draw against the Republic of Ireland or a win against Cyprus to be sure. Bulgaria are the only team that could nudge the Republic out of a play-off place.

Group nine is finished. Holland have already won it, and Norway are likely to miss out on the play-offs with the worst runners-up record.

My forecasts:
Qualifiers as group winners: Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy, Holland.

Play-offs: Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Republic of Ireland.

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