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Posted by: BASTILLEmdh Jun 28 2016, 07:29 PM

This is relevant already now England are out

So is there worry for England after the Euros slip or will we be fine like usual (we're always ironically good in the qualifiers )
Will Iceland qualify for the World Cup?
Will we see Wales do the unthinkable again?
Can Holland recover?

DISCUSS

Posted by: Rooney Jun 28 2016, 07:54 PM

We have quite a difficult group, but should finish top all being well. Similar to the last Euro qualifying period, there will be a lot of pressure on us again after such a dismal performance at the Euros.

Thing is we have so many average players that people have convinced themselves they're decent.

Posted by: Iz~ Jun 28 2016, 08:01 PM

Aye, they're all difficult teams, but bar Slovakia they shouldn't be consistent enough to finish ahead of us over the whole qualifying period. After the disaster of the Euros there'll obviously be a bit of restructuring and in the end we'll most likely be fine. Most likely.

Iceland have possibly the most difficult group in Europe so I wouldn't be sure of them making it but if they keep what they've been doing up they can probably outplay Ukraine and Turkey, just Croatia that might push them into the playoffs.

(as a geography/stats nerd I've already been lowkey following the qualifying in the other confederations and I must say, it's exciting to see a group with Cameroon/Algeria/Nigeria/fairly recent ACN winners Zambia, which means only one of those gets to the WC and we have at least two fresh African teams, even if it'll most likely be the return of Tunisia and Senegal if we go by seedings)

Posted by: richie Jun 29 2016, 07:24 AM

Even with the best chance to qualify for the World Cup in ages, Scotland will still manage to come third in their group. Probably beat England home and away but get thrashed by Slovakia and scrape draws against Lithuania and Slovenia.

Posted by: Mack Jun 29 2016, 06:53 PM

Here's a look at the groups:


Group A

Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg

Group B

Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra

Group C

Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino

Group D

Wales , Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia

Group E

Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan

Group F

England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta

Group G

Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Liechtenstein

Group H

Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus

Group I

Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 29 2016, 10:16 PM

Only 1 team plus the best second place go through?

So many close tied groups especially with Spain and Italy in the same one.

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 29 2016, 10:23 PM

Guesses -

Group A France Playoffs Netherlands
Group B Portugal Playoff Hungary
Group C Germany Playoff N.Ireland
Group D Austria Playoff Wales/Ireland (unsure what Serbia will do, rebuilding in progress before the euros started)
Group E Poland Playoff Denmark
Group F England Playoff Scotland
Group G Italy Playoff Spain
Group H Belgium Playoff Greece
Group I Croatia Best 2nd place Iceland

Posted by: Iz~ Jun 30 2016, 05:26 PM

We also have Gibraltar and Kosovo as new members of FIFA in H and I respectively now, which is partly why I said Group I looks so killer as there's unlikely to be any weak teams there in even the supposed 5th and 6th places as Finland aren't a bad side and Kosovo are basically an unknown and not a walkover unknown like Gibraltar.

I'll just outline the other confederations in here.

AFC:

Two groups, top 2 of each go through, 3rd goes to playoff for intercontinental playoff, it's here where we'll see if Qatar deserve to even be in a World Cup prior to automatically getting a spot. Bolding and italicising my predictions, Japan haven't been doing as well as I'd like them to so them in 3rd, I keep thinking every time it'll be the first one for Uzbekistan but this might be it!!!

Group A
Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan, China PR, Qatar, Syria

Group B
Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Thailand

CAF:

5 groups, top qualifies, aforementioned killer group included.

Group A
Tunisia, Libya, DR Congo, Guinea

Group B
Zambia, Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria (Nigeria have been doing very badly lately so it's probably between Cameroon and Algeria)

Group C
Gabon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Morocco

Group D
Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde (not entirely sure on this one, all have been pretty decent lately)

Group E
Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda (would say Egypt but they always somehow get bad luck where the WC is concerned)

CONCACAF:

Currently in the middle of the third round before doing a final round of one group of 6, where it's top 3 and one to the playoffs. Potential for the USA to be going out to Guatemala which would be funny (but I reckon they'll pull through and do well enough in the final round), only Mexico are through to that final round at the moment.

Group A
Mexico 12, Honduras 4, Canada 4, El Salvador 2

Group B
Costa Rica 10, Panama 7, Jamaica 4, Haiti 1

Group C
Trinidad & Tobago 10, USA 7, Guatemala 6 St Vincent 0

CONMEBOL:
In the middle of their one big round, hard to say anything from this at the moment, Brazil are currently below the line but I have no doubt they'll pull themselves together and eventually make it. Between the current top 7 I guess as usual (sympathy for Peru/Bolivia/Venezuela)

Uruguay/Ecuador 13, Argentina (after the walkout following the Copa America) 11, Chile 10, Columbia 10, Brazil 9, Paraguay 9, Peru 4, Bolivia 3, Venezuela 1

OFC:
The competition set up to give New Zealand a home-and-away match to get into the WC is... progressing exactly as you'd expect. Merge them all into AFC already. Groups for the third round are still to be decided but it's New Zealand plus a bunch of islands + Papua who won't beat New Zealand)

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 30 2016, 09:26 PM

No 6 pointer in irelands group is annoying - Georgia are decent these days

Posted by: Mack Aug 24 2016, 09:03 PM

How do you see the home nations doing in the World Cup qualification s?

Posted by: mdh Aug 27 2016, 10:28 PM

England predictably waltz through in spectacular fashion, destroying everyone including the token big team in a friendly which gives us huge expectations for the World Cup that get let down again.

Posted by: bigwiglaf Aug 27 2016, 10:47 PM

This statement DOES seem to be how the All England squad operate of late, innit.....

Posted by: Martyn Aug 28 2016, 10:16 AM

England to qualify with a 100% record. Then go home with no wins.

Wales to qualify through the play offs.

Northern Ireland to lose the playoffs to someone like Sweden.

Scotland third or fourth in their group. (sadly, it all seems to have gone a bit wrong.)

Posted by: Mack Aug 28 2016, 08:00 PM

Squad for Slovakia

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Aug 28 2016, 09:17 PM

I'm just like Iz... I'm fascinated by World Cup qualifying all over the globe and hoping to see a tournament just as strong as Brazil 2014!

That said, I think largely the same teams will be at the finals in Russia. Not a bad thing considering how strong 2014 was but I predict maybe one debutant from either Asia or CONCACAF. Algeria are the strongest team in Africa right now, so am tipping them to pip Cameroon and Nigeria. Tunisia and Senegal should qualify too, the Senegalese are particularly strong right now.

In Europe, I cannot imagine Greece or Bosnia qualifying this time. Poland will make it after a promising performance in France this summer. Hopefully Wales too, although you could see Austria, Serbia or Ireland qualifying equally. The Croatia group is very tough, again you can make a case for any of the top 4 qualifying (although Ukraine and Turkey performed poorly in the Euros). Elsewhere, expect the normal suspects to qualify... even the Dutch should best a Zlatan-less Sweden.

Posted by: Houdini Aug 29 2016, 12:01 AM

I think Iceland will have a good chance of making it to the World Cup and I hope they actually get there because they were a breath of fresh air during Euro 2016. Are Algeria really the strongest team in Africa at the moment? they only got to the quarter finals of the Africa Cup Of Nations last year. It's been a tough time for the Nigerian team in recent years with managerial employment issues causing controversy and the deaths of 2 members of the coaching staff in June including former manager Stephen Keshi. Hopefully Nigeria will qualify but I wouldn't bet on it.

Posted by: Ðøßßø Aug 29 2016, 11:13 AM

Great to see Antonio in the team, 100% should have gone to the Euros.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Aug 29 2016, 01:39 PM

Second this! Been a great player for us, just don't play him right back.

Hazza, I think Algeria are the best African team right now. They played well at the World Cup with a young team which should peak in Russia. Ivory Coast tend to flatter to decieve and Cameroon, Nigeria seem to be in permanent turmoil (no Eto'o anymore either). Ghana are strong, always play well at World Cup's. Senegal look good in paper and Tunisia have a young team and would be an unknown quantity on the world stage. Egypt never tend to catch a break in World Cup Qualifying.

Posted by: mdh Aug 29 2016, 04:20 PM

I thought Antonio was Italian until today!

Looks like a decent enough squad, Rashford wouldn't have gone amiss, though.

Posted by: DJHazey Aug 29 2016, 06:19 PM

Here's DJ"Crazey" scores with my scores for Round 1. WC Qualifying matches always have a variation in scorelines compared to tournaments though.

Sweden 1:3 Netherlands
Belarus 1:1 France
Bulgaria 2:0 Luxembourg

Switzerland 1:2 Portugal
Faroe Islands 2:2 Hungary
Andorra 2:4 Latvia

Norway 0:1 Germany
Czech Republic 2:0 Northern Ireland
San Marino 0:2 Azerbaijan

Georgia 0:0 Austria
Serbia 1:3 Republic of Ireland
Wales 2:0 Moldova

Kazakhstan 1:9 Poland
Romania 1:5 Montenegro
Denmark 1:0 Armenia

Slovakia 1:4 England
Malta 0:5 Scotland
Lithuania 0:2 Slovenia

Israel 0:1 Italy
Albania 1:2 FYR Macedonia
Spain 3:0 Liechtenstein

Cyprus 0:2 Belgium
Gibraltar 0:0 Greece
Bosnia-Herzegovina 0:1 Estonia

Ukraine 2:0 Iceland
Croatia 1:0 Turkey
Finland 0:2 Kosovo

Posted by: DJHazey Aug 29 2016, 06:43 PM

Re: African discussion. Algeria is indeed the continent's finest right now. The core of Brahimi, Feghouli, Slimani, and Soudani are all in their prime. That match vs. Germany in 2014 shows that they were coming into their own. I'd be disappointed if they didn't make the QF in 2018. Egypt seems to be getting their act together right now, but they always find a way to muck it up in WC qualifying. They've even been messing up ACON campaigns lately and they used to at least dominate that. (However they recently ousted Nigeria from the latest ACON and qualified over them.) I'm hoping Cape Verde Islands finally take that next step, and a group with Burkina Faso/Senegal/South Africa is beatable on paper. Burkina Faso has been going downhill since their surprising 2013 ACON runner-up showing, South Africa can beat a Ghana one day and lose to a Botswana the next, and Senegal has been looking good lately but hasn't been really tested.

From the five groups I'd put money on: Tunisia, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana

I'd rather see: Tunisia, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde Islands, Egypt

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Aug 30 2016, 09:23 AM

As an interesting aside, if the expected nations qualify for the tournament the seeds for the finals draw would currently be:

Russia (hosts)
Germany (holders)
Argentina
Belgium
Chile
Colombia
France
Portugal

leaving the likes of Brazil, England, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Uruguay all unseeded. That means some wicked potential for Groups of death in there! 2014 arguably had three of them (B, D and G) which created a cup-tie feel for the group stages.

Posted by: mdh Sep 4 2016, 10:59 AM

What are our predictions for today, then? There's two ways it could go for me, we'll either scrape a 1-0 win via a penalty or smash them 4-0.

Posted by: Ðøßßø Sep 4 2016, 11:03 AM

0-0. Euros remastered.

Posted by: mdh Sep 4 2016, 04:03 PM

Teams-

Slovakia:
Kozacik, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Hubocan, Mak, Gregus, Pecovsky, Hamsik, Svento, Duris.
Subs: Novota, Gyomber, Kubik, Kiss, Povazanec, Pich, Sylvestr, Pauschek, Stetina, Dubravka.

England: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Stones, Rose, Henderson, Dier, Sterling, Rooney, Lallana, Kane.
Subs: Heaton, Smalling, Walcott, Sturridge, Jagielka, Clyne, Drinkwater, Vardy, Alli, Antonio, McCarthy.

Would have liked a few more risks, and for Alli and Vardy to start, oh well. Can't win them all.

Posted by: bigwiglaf Sep 4 2016, 04:16 PM

I'm going to be a contrarian here, and go Slovakia 3-2 England....

Posted by: Cassidy Sep 4 2016, 04:26 PM

I don't think anyone would be at all surprised by that.

Posted by: Mart!n Sep 4 2016, 04:34 PM

Its like watching paint to dry, never seen such a boring match, I keep on nodding off, I reckon the final score will be Slovakia 2 England 0

Posted by: Cassidy Sep 4 2016, 04:49 PM

I've had a system for watching England for about 10 years now. It's called background TV. Works well for me.

Posted by: mdh Sep 4 2016, 04:56 PM

Painfully mediocre. Little to be even remotely excited about and if I'm honest I can't see us getting anything from this. Very disappointing but our completely lack of attacking output is admittedly partially down to Slovakia's ever-consistent defensive set up. We've been the better side, although that statement comes in the sense that we've still been awful - Slovakia have just been worse than us. When we have managed to break into their final third for more than a few milliseconds, we've lacked ANY creativity or drive to actually get a shot on goal - almost as if we're deliberately running ourselves into no space and passing like a Sunday league side.

For me it's just a predictable case of 'same old, same old' - same old players and same old output. We need to be playing Alli, Vardy, Drinkwater - all players that have been proven to have some creative ability and bring a sense of confidence to the side, because with this starting 11 there is no chance of us scoring anything that isn't a penalty or a complete fluke.

I'm not going to be a generic England fan and say 'Big Sam out', but on the back of an incredibly poor game against Iceland, you would at least LIKE to think we'd have learnt from our mistakes?! I'll just hope that he makes the correct substitutes and we at least somewhat get our act together, because considering the fact Big Sam has seemed very confident about the future of the England side under his reign, I'm struggling to see any change from the horrors we witnessed in France.

Extremely poor, but there is still time for improvement and I won't lose ALL hope just yet.

Posted by: Ðøßßø Sep 4 2016, 05:04 PM

England are possibly the worst team in world football to watch...

Posted by: mdh Sep 4 2016, 05:16 PM

Martin Skrtel just got sent off, and I'm very disappointed at the fact he found it funny.

We still look essentially sub-par, however we have improved (even if only slightly) on the performance in the first half - but there is still a hell of a lot of work to be done and if we want to top the group we're going to need to improve.

Posted by: Ðøßßø Sep 4 2016, 05:57 PM

That was about as Allardyce as it gets...

Posted by: mdh Sep 4 2016, 05:57 PM

Called it

Never been so happy so see us score, have to laugh at the fact we're acting as though we've won the World Cup :,) Small milestones etc. In all honesty, we have looked a lot better in the second half, not half as good as we need to be though.

Glad to get the result - it's always nice to win in dramatic fashion but in reality there's a LOT of improvement necessary. In the first half especially we were very poor and work needs to be done in terms of our attacking set up - we looked sloppy in a lot of instances today. Oh well, what's the betting we'll fluke our way to ten wins out of ten?

Posted by: Mart!n Sep 4 2016, 05:58 PM

Poor performance overall though, got lucky in the end, they could have played better with their opposition down to 10 men

Posted by: Rooney Sep 4 2016, 05:58 PM

Terrible game, nice to see we're picking up right where we left off from the Euros.

Struggling to see how so many good players can be so average when they play for England.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Sep 4 2016, 06:10 PM

I can't remember the last time I could say I enjoyed an England game, but that was even worse than normal. Apart from a brief (approx one minute) spell towards the end, there was a total lack of urgency from England and zero creativity.

Posted by: Mack Sep 4 2016, 06:32 PM

A very drab game where England were lucky as anything. Full credit to Slovakia for their dogged defence. Another abject same old England performance.

Posted by: Martyn Sep 4 2016, 07:21 PM

England very lucky. However it will take more than luck to win this group and do well at the World Cup.

Posted by: Mart!n Sep 4 2016, 08:30 PM

Their next match is against Malta they should win there, Scotland already scored a couple.

Posted by: Ðøßßø Sep 4 2016, 08:44 PM

It'll be 2-0 then thanks to an own goal & a Rooney penalty.

Posted by: mdh Sep 4 2016, 10:38 PM

It'll be 5-0, I predict it. Walcott will play brilliantly #psychicmdh

Posted by: Mart!n Sep 5 2016, 11:19 AM

Even under 21 England team can beat Malta they are not a totally experienced team, most of the team have regular jobs to go to. Sam doesn't need to put his best players on the pitch saying that they could just do better, we need to bang a few in though against Malta, in case it comes down to goal differences. Scotland at the moment head the group.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 6 2016, 12:34 PM

I called Scotland mismantling Malta (I had 5-0). I'm happy with Iceland's start by getting a draw in Ukraine.

Posted by: Mart!n Sep 7 2016, 06:49 PM

European Winners Portugal are at the bottom of Group B got beat 2-0 by Switzerland

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Sep 7 2016, 06:55 PM

Portugal normally stutter through qualifying, wouldn't surprise me if they only finished second. Switzerland and Hungary are no mugs, as we saw at the Euros.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 7 2016, 07:07 PM

Group I though:

Iceland - 1pt. - 1 GF - 1 GA
Croatia - 1pt. - 1 GF - 1 GA
Turkey - 1pt. - 1 GF - 1 GA
Ukraine - 1pt. - 1 GF - 1 GA
Kosovo - 1pt. - 1 GF - 1 GA
Finland - 1pt. - 1 GF - 1 GA

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 7 2016, 07:17 PM

Also in Asia:

Good start for Uzbekistan with the lead in Group A. (Beating the two lower teams Qatar/Syria to be fair, but got the job done) -- Home vs. Iran & China in October. Win those and they might be in the driver's seat.

UAE with an upset at Japan 2-1 in matchday #1, lose their momentum with the home loss to Australia. Saudi Arabia continue to show renewed form after nearly a decade of mediocrity and are tied atop the group with the Socceroos.

CONCACAF:

The Hex is set and there are no surprises: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, and Trinidad & Tobago (swapping spots with Jamaica as the Caribbean representative this time around)

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Sep 7 2016, 07:28 PM

The hardest group. Or most even at very least.

Asia could do with some fresh blood at the finals considering all four teams finish bottom of their groups in 2014. Uzbekistan, UAE or Saudi Arabia would be welcome (would be rank outsiders in Russia).

Honduras are poor, they'll miss out this time. Mexico, USA, probably Costa Rica and one other for the play off.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 7 2016, 07:40 PM

Agreed. I'd rank Finland at the lowest and even then a win over any of the other teams in the group is not out of the question. Iceland, Turkey, Ukraine, and Croatia is pretty much flip a coin at this point. Someone might be inclined to say Ukraine/Croatia would be favored historically, but Iceland and Turkey are the ones with the draws on the road. Great start for them both. I just need Iceland to finish first somehow and they got off to great start.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 28 2016, 04:16 PM

DJCrazey's predictions:

France 2:1 Bulgaria
Luxembourg 0:2 Sweden
Netherlands 6:2 Belarus
Belarus 3:1 Luxembourg
Netherlands 3:0 France
Sweden 0:1 Bulgaria

NED 7
BUL 6
SWE 4
FRA 4
BLR 4
LUX 0

Hungary 1:2 Switzerland
Latvia 1:2 Faroe Islands
Portugal 10:0 Andorra
Andorra 0:2 Switzerland
Faroe Islands 1:2 Portugal
Latvia 2:2 Hungary

SUI 9
POR 6
FRO 4
LVA 4
HUN 2
AND 0

Azerbaijan 0:2 Norway
Germany 3:1 Czech Republic
Northern Ireland 2:0 San Marino
Czech Republic 3:0 Azerbaijan
Germany 1:1 Northern Ireland
Norway 3:0 San Marino

GER 7
NOR 6
NIR 5
CZE 4
AZE 3
SMR 0

Austria 1:1 Wales
Moldova 0:0 Serbia
Republic of Ireland 5:1 Georgia
Wales 2:0 Georgia
Moldova 0:1 Republic of Ireland
Serbia 3:1 Austria

WAL 7
IRL 7
SRB 5
AUT 4
MDA 1
GEO 0

Armenia 1:4 Romania
Montenegro 2:0 Kazakhstan
Poland 2:2 Denmark
Kazakhstan 2:1 Romania
Denmark 2:0 Montenegro
Poland 3:5 Armenia

DEN 7
ROM 4
MNE 4
KAZ 4
ARM 3
POL 2

England 3:0 Malta
Scotland 2:1 Lithuania
Slovenia 1:2 Slovakia
Lithuania 1:0 Malta
Slovakia 0:3 Scotland
Slovenia 1:0 England

SCO 9
ENG 6
SVN 4
LTU 4
SVK 3
MLT 0

Italy 1:0 Spain
Liechtenstein 0:1 Albania
FYR Macedonia 2:2 Israel
Israel 3:0 Liechtenstein
Albania 1:1 Spain
FYR Macedonia 3:2 Italy

ALB 7
ITA 6
ESP 4
MKD 4
ISR 1
LIE 0

Belgium 3:2 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Estonia 1:0 Gibraltar
Greece 1:1 Cyprus
Bosnia-Herzegovina 2:2 Cyprus
Estonia 1:0 Greece
Gibraltar 0:7 Belgium

BEL 9
EST 6
BIH 4
GRE 4
CYP 2
GIB 0

Iceland 1:0 Finland
Kosovo 1:0 Croatia
Turkey 0:1 Ukraine
Finland 3:0 Croatia
Ukraine 2:0 Kosovo
Iceland 1:0 Turkey

ISL 7
UKR 7
FIN 4
KVX 4
TUR 1
CRO 1

Posted by: Mack Oct 3 2016, 12:22 PM

England squad for Malta & Slovenia

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino, on loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Stoke), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Michail Antonio (West Ham), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Dele Alli (Tottenham)

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester)


Glen Johnson really?

Shame to see Deeney miss out, good to see Antonio make the squad and Lingard also a return for Rashford.

Posted by: DJHazey Oct 6 2016, 05:19 PM

Ugh, Uzbekistan will never reach the next level if they can't get results at home vs. Iran. Two WC campaigns in a row.

Posted by: Mack Oct 6 2016, 08:23 PM

How do people think England will do against Malta?

Should be a comfortable win. Yes should be.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Oct 8 2016, 12:59 PM

Anybody else shocked by Chile? Looks likely that the double defending champions of the Copa America and darlings of the last two World Cups will not qualify for Russia!

Posted by: twentyonemdh Oct 8 2016, 02:18 PM

Quite a shock for Chile, yes!

Predictions for tonight?

Posted by: Mart!n Oct 8 2016, 02:49 PM

Shocking result for Chile

As for the England match tonight it should be an easy game against my home country Malta, if Scotland chucked 5 goals at them, I like to see England chuck at least 7 to 8 goals, in case the group gets decided on goal difference. On paper this is a walk in the park for England against a least experienced side when most of the Maltese players have full time jobs to go to.

Posted by: Sabrina. Oct 8 2016, 03:41 PM

Can't see it being a struggle at all really. Same as usual for England in regards to the qualifiers

Posted by: twentyonemdh Oct 8 2016, 03:54 PM

I'm going 4-0.

Posted by: Iz~ Oct 8 2016, 04:53 PM

I think Chile will be fine. There's still a while to go in South America and they have an easy match in Peru next, if they don't get 3 points there then it'll start to look dicey for them but I can see them making it in the end.

Posted by: Mart!n Oct 8 2016, 04:59 PM

Good first half, took some time to score though, I just hope Gareth Southgate takes the job full time, he seems to have clicked with the team.

Posted by: twentyonemdh Oct 8 2016, 05:52 PM

Well that second half was undoubtedly the worst experience of my entire life. How the hell can we go from playing really quite well to that dirge? Almost as if they refused to do anything even remotely risky. Rashford was isolated, he needs to be free to roam like his debut, god knows why he wasn't starting as well.

Posted by: Mart!n Oct 8 2016, 06:03 PM

Good game, at least they got the points that was needed, but I was expecting more goals in the second half to lift the mood a bit. And poor Joe Hart hardly touched the ball throughout that game

Posted by: Suedehead2 Oct 8 2016, 06:22 PM

A decent performance in the first half, but after half-time I thought we were back in the Allardyce era.

Posted by: Mack Oct 8 2016, 10:05 PM

Solid first half there, but a crap second half back to the same old England.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Oct 9 2016, 10:05 AM

The first half performance was encouraging. The second half made me think Allardyce was back in charge. There seems to have been an assumption that England will qualify on points alone and that goal difference will not be relevant. Of course, with Scotland only drawing against Lithuania, the fact that they put five past Malta looks less relevant.

Posted by: Mack Oct 11 2016, 07:50 AM

Rooney has been dropped and put on the bench for tonight's match against Slovenia. Good riddance I say.

Posted by: twentyonemdh Oct 11 2016, 07:51 PM

Hart's coming off? He's been playing brilliantly - some fantastic saves, I just wish the rest of the team were playing as well as that A lot of room for improvement, some poor, sloppy play especially in the defensive regions - but some very nice attacking work albeit. Need to get the ball down the wings, though, poor Lingard and Rose are begging for it on the right. We look in control, though, which is good to see. Just need to keep our heads up and look for a goal.

Posted by: twentyonemdh Oct 11 2016, 08:12 PM

This is awful. Joe Hart is the sole reason we're still in this game and frankly, our defence is an absolute shambles. Rooney is coming on, we need Rashford also, we need some creativity, Slovenia are starting to get a hold on this game.

Posted by: Rooney Oct 11 2016, 08:18 PM

The whole team are playing awful, Hart aside. Hate to say it, but I reckon the pitch is a massive problem. Looks to be a lot slower than players are used to, hence all the backpasses.

Posted by: Cassidy Oct 11 2016, 08:30 PM

On paper we have so many game changers. It's still a mystery as to why we struggle to score at all.

Posted by: Mart!n Oct 11 2016, 08:56 PM

No creativity in the full 90 mins, I wish I watched Westworld instead. Full credit to Joe Hart though. Looks like Gareth is rather pissed off, he admitted it was a mess

Posted by: twentyonemdh Oct 11 2016, 09:23 PM

A front four of Rashford, Townsend, Lingard and Vardy would be nice for the next game.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Oct 11 2016, 09:58 PM

Some real defensive howlers tonight. Thanks goodness Hart benefited from his rest on Saturday.

Posted by: Mack Oct 11 2016, 10:08 PM

Without Hart, it would have been 4-0 to Slovenia. Awful abject again. Play Rashford and start him. What was that spat about with Lingaard in the last few minutes that was most entertaining moment in the last few minutes.

Scotland losing to Slovakia. Not good.

Posted by: Houdini Oct 11 2016, 11:12 PM

I didn't even watch the match, I really can't be arsed with international football apart from when the major tournaments take place. Real football will be back on the weekend!

Posted by: Mack Oct 12 2016, 07:54 AM

How do people see our game with Scotland going next month? It'll be interesting to see.

England look as bad as they did in our Euro 2008 campaign.

We should have lost last night as Slovenia were the better team. Bar a couple of wonder saves from Hart.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 12 2016, 07:46 PM

Indeed they rode their luck - so have Ireland tho and they got 6 points so I'm happy - huge game vs Austria now in November

Posted by: DJHazey Oct 28 2016, 06:54 PM

Let me switch it up by predicting all the qualifiers...


Asia

Syria 1:1 Iran
South Korea 2:2 Uzbekistan
China 2:0 Qatar
Japan 0:0 Saudi Arabia
Thailand 1:3 Australia
UAE 4:0 Iraq

Africa

Guinea 2:1 Congo DR
Libya 1:0 Tunisia
Nigeria 1:0 Algeria
Cameroon 3:2 Zambia
Morocco 2:0 Ivory Coast
Mali 2:0 Gabon
South Africa 0:0 Senegal
Cape Verde 0:1 Burkina Faso
Egypt 0:1 Ghana
Uganda 1:1 Congo

CONCACAF

Honduras 1:1 Panama
Trinidad & Tobago 1:1 Costa Rica
USA 2:1 Mexico
Costa Rica 3:1 USA
Panama 1:0 Mexico
Honduras 1:0 Trinidad & Tobago

South America

Uruguay 2:0 Ecuador
Brazil 1:1 Argentina
Colombia 2:0 Chile
Paraguay 2:1 Peru
Venezuela 3:1 Bolivia
Peru 3:2 Brazil
Chile 2:1 Uruguay
Argentina 1:0 Colombia
Bolivia 2:1 Paraguay
Ecuador 4:1 Venezuela

Oceania

New Zealand 4:4 New Caledonia
New Caledonia 0:1 New Zealand
Tahiti 0:0 Soloman Islands
Soloman Islands 2:2 Tahiti

Europe

France 2:1 Sweden
Luxembourg 0:2 Netherlands
Bulgaria 3:2 Belarus
Switzerland 2:0 Faroe Islands
Portugal 3:0 Latvia
Hungary 5:0 Andorra
San Marino 0:4 Germany
N.Ireland 3:0 Azerbaijan
Czech Republic 1:0 Norway
Wales 0:0 Serbia
Austria 1:0 Rep. of Ireland
Georgia 0:1 Moldova
Armenia 1:1 Montenegro
Romania 1:0 Poland
Denmark 3:0 Kazakhstan
Slovakia 3:1 Lithuania
Malta 0:1 Slovenia
England 2:0 Scotland
Liechtenstein 0:2 Italy
Albania 0:0 Israel
Spain 3:0 Macedonia
Greece 0:0 Bosnia
Belgium 3:0 Estonia
Cyprus 4:1 Gibraltar
Croatia 1:1 Iceland
Ukraine 0:0 Finland
Turkey 2:0 Kosovo

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Nov 11 2016, 09:30 AM

Shocking to see Argentina's current plight, real possibility they won't make Russia as it stands. Too reliant on Messi. Good to see Brazil looking somewhat like their former selves though.

Big match tonight at Wembley, England should win though. That US Mexico game looks tasty too, particularly given recent events.

Posted by: Mack Nov 11 2016, 11:14 AM

Let's hope USA v Mexico is remembered for the right reasons.

It would be quite a shock if Argentina didn't make it although I expect them to but only if they improve.

England v Scotland. The first competitive game since 1999 between the two. I expect it could be a damp squib. I can see Scotland definitely going for it, they will be fireworks tonight.

Posted by: Mack Nov 11 2016, 10:50 PM

Did anyone see the match?

A solid win for England although Scotland did have their chances but didn't convert them.

Good win for N Ireland over Azerbaijan. Vital for their play off hopes.

Posted by: Dobbo Nov 11 2016, 11:27 PM

3 headers as well! Didn't see the game but heard the scoreline wasn't reflective of the match as a whole & Scotland had more of their fair share of chances too.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Nov 13 2016, 08:14 PM

Few thoughts on the action so far...

Ireland look in a great position to qualify. Tricky group, but an excellent win in Vienna last night and Wales' stuttering form leave the Irish in pole position. Really thought they'd struggle after their solid performance at the Euros with the departure of some key players but Coleman looks an inspired captain. Fingers crossed they can make it.

Poland should make it too, they have a weakish group but are obviously the class act there. Think they'd be dark horses at the tournament proper, although just as likely is a first round flop that befalls most teams from Eastern Europe.

Croatia beating Iceland puts them in a strong position and Ukraine are now second in that group. Turkey won't get there, but Croatia are one of my favourite international teams and always promise more than they deliver.

Algeria and Cameroon struggling in Africa's Group of Death. Nigeria really started strongly and have two good young Premier League players in Iwobi and Iheanacho so could be dangerous at the finals. Really expected more from Algeria though. Also, Ghana v Egypt looks a huge match! Love Ghana, but Avram Grant doesn't look an inspired appointment.

Posted by: Serg Mix Nov 14 2016, 09:58 PM

Hope Ireland and Wales draw, so with a win against Georgia we tie IRL with 11p

Posted by: Mart!n Nov 16 2016, 01:17 PM

drew against Spain in a friendly last night, decent outcome, I didn't watch it though, just saw the result on BBC Sport site. I do think Gareth Southgate will be a good choice as a full time manager

Posted by: Iz~ Nov 16 2016, 01:18 PM

Costa Rica 4-nilling the USA!!! I can't help but be amused at that.

Posted by: Steve201 Nov 16 2016, 11:20 PM

The games with Georgia will decide the group mate - a good side at the moment and the away game especially will be difficult for all the teams!

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 23 2016, 02:18 PM

Updated Projected Qualifiers (Based on expected points from future fixtures)

Asia

Qualify: Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia
Playoffs: Uzbekistan, Japan

Africa

Qualify: Congo DR, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Egypt

CONCACAF

Qualify: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama
Playoffs: United States

South America

Qualify: Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina
Playoffs: Colombia

Oceania

Next Round: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea

Europe

Qualify: France, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, Croatia
Playoffs: Sweden, Portugal, Northern Ireland, Serbia, Slovenia, Italy, Greece, Iceland

Posted by: Houdini Nov 30 2016, 04:15 PM

Gareth Southgate is the new manager of England on a four year contract, lol as if he's going to make a difference.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Dec 1 2016, 03:31 PM

He'll get us to the World Cup and then we'll get knocked out in the group stages.

Posted by: blog4everyone Dec 31 2016, 12:04 PM

Germany will def for sure

Posted by: Mack Mar 20 2017, 01:01 PM

Expecting Germany to give England another lesson on Wednesday.

Or even more false hope with England progressing.

Posted by: Mack Mar 22 2017, 07:48 PM

Football seems irrelevant tonight..

Posted by: Dobbo Mar 25 2017, 02:46 PM

That tackle on & injury for Seamus Coleman was horrendous!

Posted by: Mack Mar 25 2017, 07:09 PM

Nasty, horrible tackle on Coleman last night. Deserves a five-match international ban at least. I hope he apologies for it, Neil Taylor.

Posted by: Steve201 Mar 26 2017, 02:37 AM

Aye terrible tackle, captain will be out until the end of this year I would say, might never be back the same either....

Posted by: Mack Mar 26 2017, 07:22 PM

A very dull drab performance from England. Lithuania could have scored though.

Posted by: Mack Mar 27 2017, 07:46 AM

Danny Blind has been sacked as Holland coach following defeat to Bulgaria. Holland looking in danger of missing the World Cup.

Posted by: Steve201 Mar 27 2017, 08:28 PM

He started a 17 year old at centre back!!

Posted by: Steve201 Mar 27 2017, 08:29 PM

Ronaldo has 70 goals in 137 games for Portugal after his brace against Hungary at the weekend!

Posted by: Dobbo Mar 27 2017, 08:50 PM

Almost sounds bad when you compare that to his Real record

Scotland doing us a favour by beating Slovenia. Interested to see who comes out on top in Group G between Italy & Spain.

Posted by: Mart!n Mar 27 2017, 10:09 PM

Personally I don't think Holland will qualify, its a bit of a tall order now, shame they were good 4 years ago finished as 3rd place Runners up after beating Brazil, and they even failed to qualify in the Euros (2014)

Posted by: Mack Mar 27 2017, 10:12 PM

Am I right in hearing about Ivory Coast v Senegal having to be abandoned due to crowd trouble?

Posted by: Dobbo Mar 27 2017, 10:32 PM

Yeah that literally just popped up on SSN! Sounded like ridiculous scenes.

Posted by: Mack Mar 29 2017, 08:00 AM

What do people make of video technology being used in key decisions in matches which was used for the decisions in France v Spain where France had a goal ruled out for offside and Spain had the decision for offside reversed.

Posted by: Iz~ Mar 29 2017, 11:08 AM

Brazil are the first team to qualify! That's very early, normally it's at least June the year prior before the first one gets in and it's normally an Asian team. Insane turnaround, I think I remember seeing them struggling at the start but now they have 4 whole matches to relax in.

Posted by: Mack Mar 29 2017, 11:46 AM

Must be the earliest a team that has qualified for the World Cup for a good few stagings.

Hoping that teams who would make their debut in Uzbekistan, DR Congo, Burkina Faso and Panama who look strong in their qualification groups can make it.

Posted by: OutstandingMixer Mar 29 2017, 03:05 PM

I didn't even know until today that a Bristol City player (Hordur Magnússon) scored the winner with a great free kick for Iceland against the Republic of Ireland. Another City player called Callum O'Dowda came on for Ireland as well.

https://eirsport.grabyo.com/g/v/QaqB2gZERXu

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Mar 29 2017, 03:11 PM

As long as it's accurate I don't really see any problem with it personally. If a goal is offside, it's offside.

Posted by: Houdini Mar 29 2017, 03:45 PM

A World Cup without Brazil is like the sky without clouds. I don't think there's ever been a World Cup where Brazil didn't qualify so I'm glad that they've made it to next year's tournament as they bring a much needed energy.

Posted by: Jacob Alan Mar 29 2017, 03:55 PM

Sounds like a bit of a turnaround for Brazil then. Of course the last time I paid any attention to them it was 2014 and we all know what happened then.

Posted by: OutstandingMixer Mar 29 2017, 04:00 PM

Brazil are the only country to appear in every World Cup.

Posted by: Steve201 Mar 29 2017, 09:33 PM

Yeh they sacked Dunga at the start of the campaign and haven't looked back - the Olympic win last year has got the winning mentality back and a lot of the players are reaching a peak including Coutinho/Neymar/Jesus/Ferminho!

Posted by: Mack Mar 30 2017, 11:45 AM

FIFA set to investigate the controversial tackle that Neil Taylor did on Seamus Coleman. I think he'll get a three-match international ban at least or more than Messi has got for swearing at the assistant referee.

Posted by: Steve201 Mar 30 2017, 10:29 PM

Should do!

Posted by: DJHazey Apr 3 2017, 06:03 PM

The U.S. kind of got back into the groove especially with that 6-0 thrashing of Honduras, which helps the goal differential. Getting a point in Panama City was also big. If they can get another 4 vs. Trinidad and at Mexico in June, they could be good shape again.

Iceland could've been better at Kosovo, but still got the 3 (and a nice friendly win in Dublin). That June match in Reykjavik vs. Croatia has all the makings to be a group-decider.

Posted by: OutstandingMixer Apr 3 2017, 07:03 PM

Goal differential?! Never heard that used before (we call it goal difference here). Must be an American thing.

Posted by: DJHazey Apr 4 2017, 02:44 PM

Haha, I didn't think it was an American thing, but yes that's what I've always known it as.

Posted by: DJHazey Apr 4 2017, 03:21 PM

Updated Projections:


Asia Qualify: Iran, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia
Asia Playoffs: Uzbekistan vs. Australia
Asia Intercontinental Playoff: Australia

Africa Qualify: Too early to project but group leaders are Congo DR, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Egypt

CONCACAF Qualify: Mexico, Costa Rica, USA
CONCACAF Intercontinental Playoff: Panama

Asia/CONCACAF Playoff: Australia vs. Panama

South America Clinched: Brazil
South America Qualify: Colombia, Uruguay, Chile
South American Intercontinental Playoff: Argentina

Oceania Playoff: New Zealand vs. Tahiti
Oceania Intercontinental Playoff: New Zealand

South America/Oceania Playoff: Argentina vs. New Zealand

Europe Qualify: France, Switzerland, Germany, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, Croatia
Europe Playoffs: Sweden, Portugal, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Italy, Greece, Iceland

Posted by: Cabaye Apr 4 2017, 06:51 PM

Hoping Iran can make it. Egypt to qualify for first since 1990.

Posted by: Mack Apr 26 2017, 12:04 PM

Neil Taylor has been given a two-match international ban following that horror tackle on Seamus Coleman in the Wales v Rep of Ireland match.

Posted by: DJHazey May 8 2017, 02:19 PM

The more I've thought about it, the more I've warmed up to the 48-team World Cup. I just wish they'd change the format. I'd have the Top 16 teams be 'seeded' as the Top 2 teams from each group (actually draw them into Groups A through H ahead of time) then take the other 32 teams and do 16 home-and-away fixtures between them to decide the other 16 teams to fill the groups, then do a normal tournament. You could have the home-and-away fixtures be a month before the major tournament begins.

Posted by: Mack May 8 2017, 10:22 PM

That could work.....

What about the domestic leagues then?

That way you wouldn't get too many mismatches.

Posted by: DJHazey May 9 2017, 12:12 PM

Well I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to schedule, no more difficult than Champions League I'd say. You'd just have two designated days, probably one week apart which each leg is played for all ties.

Posted by: DJHazey May 11 2017, 03:36 PM

FIFA approves a 'fast track' for the North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup. Other nations can bid by August 11th, but it's unlikely considering only African, South American, and Oceania regions can do so. In March 2018, North America will present their plans which is really a formality considering we have over 50 stadiums that are World Cup ready in the United States. By June 2018, it should be official. Indications are that Canada will host 10 matches, Mexico 10 as well, and the United States will have 60. It will be the first World Cup with 48 teams involved.

Posted by: Houdini May 11 2017, 03:47 PM

Hope Nigeria qualify for this, they've got the current African champions Cameroon in their group though. Hopefully there wont be any hooliganism at next year's tournament after the recent problems that Russia have had with hooliganism.

Posted by: Steve201 May 11 2017, 10:41 PM

Got my Ireland Austria tickets for next month!

Posted by: Mack May 25 2017, 11:54 AM

England squad for the upcoming matches between Scotland and a 'friendly' against France:

Jack Butland (Stoke), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino, on loan from Man City), Tom Heaton (Burnley); Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Dele Alli (Tottenham), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Man City); Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Jamie Vardy (Leicester).

Posted by: Steve201 May 26 2017, 07:45 PM

Should Trippier start at right back?

Posted by: Rooney May 26 2017, 11:39 PM

We've taken THREE right backs.

Posted by: Steve201 May 27 2017, 12:24 PM

So which should start?

Ireland will have to go with Cyrus Christie with Seamus out!!

Posted by: DJHazey Jun 1 2017, 03:53 PM

I'm so excited for the Iceland/Croatia match in Reykjavik. ESPN3 better show it online like it says it's going to. If Iceland wins, they still have a great chance to win th group. If not, they'll likely be battling for playoffs with Turkey and Ukraine.

Posted by: Sabrina. Jun 1 2017, 04:44 PM

Four goalkeepers too. What is the point?


Clyne has withdrawn from the squad

Walker will start vs. Scotland and then Trippier may get his chance vs. France

Posted by: mdh Jun 1 2017, 05:43 PM

it'd be nice to see us switch it up with Rashford starting, but I guarantee all the youth we do have in the team will be wasted. also I think it's time for Butland to get some first 11 game time

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 1 2017, 07:13 PM

Southgate was manager of the U21s so surely he will bring through the youth!?

Posted by: Mack Jun 8 2017, 07:42 PM

Hopefully somehow it will be an interesting match between Scotland v England again. Hoping it's remembered for the right reasons.

Posted by: DJHazey Jun 9 2017, 11:59 AM

Big win for the U.S. and it looks like us Americans have a young superstar developing: Christian Pulisic. He's only 18 years old and already has 7 goals in just 15 international matches.

Posted by: Mack Jun 9 2017, 10:18 PM

Andorra beating Hungary that's a surprise. And Sweden beating France there.

Posted by: Mart!n Jun 10 2017, 05:58 PM

That was a nail biting finish, after the second goal from Griffiths I really though we were goners. The first half was dull as anything like watching paint dry.

Posted by: Mack Jun 10 2017, 06:00 PM

What a final few minutes there. Again England very lucky. First half was rubbish.

Posted by: N-S Jun 11 2017, 02:28 PM

A bit off-topic but England won the U-20 World Cup!

http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/news/y=2017/m=6/news=england-crowned-u-20-champions-2894342.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news_top

Posted by: Mack Jun 12 2017, 07:39 AM

It'll be very difficult for Wales to make the World Cup now following that result against Serbia.

Posted by: Mack Jun 12 2017, 12:36 PM

Tom Heaton and Jack Butland set to play in each half in an 'pointless' friendly against France tomorrow night.

Posted by: OutstandingMixer Jun 12 2017, 03:00 PM

I doubt it's a "pointless" friendly for Tom Heaton and Jack Butland. Any international experience is always good for players who need it.

Posted by: Mack Jun 12 2017, 11:01 PM

Yes for anyone who is getting international experience it isn't pointless, in my view it is a just a pointless friendly where it will be a 1-0 dullfest to France.

Posted by: Rooney Jun 12 2017, 11:14 PM

The friendly is pointless. We complain that we our players are fatigued for major tournaments, yet the current summer schedule does not help. The season finished 3 weeks ago yet most top players are still playing competitively and start pre-season in 4-5 weeks.

Posted by: Houdini Jun 12 2017, 11:49 PM

The Confederations Cup which is being held in Russia as a rehearsal for next year's World Cup starts on Saturday and matches will be shown on ITV. Germany, Portugal, Chile, Cameroon, Russia, Australia, New Zealand & Mexico are the teams taking part.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Jun 13 2017, 12:19 PM

Posted by: Mack Jun 13 2017, 12:35 PM

Iran have qualified for the World Cup, it is the first time they have qualified for back-to-back World Cups.

Posted by: Mack Jun 13 2017, 08:18 PM

Friendly yes pointless, but been an above average game so far.

Posted by: Mack Jun 13 2017, 11:06 PM

And still England look abject even with France going down to 10 men. We had no character at all.

Posted by: Rooney Jun 13 2017, 11:21 PM

We're an average team unfortunately. I think we have some great players, but certain players thrive in certain systems. Our midfield in the centre is certainly a weak point. Personally I find Dier to be pretty average and while I am a big Jordan Henderson fan, I don't think I've ever seen him have a great game for England.

Our defence is absolutely dreadful though. Can't say I rate Southgate as a manager either, not sure he has the tactical nous. Think he's going to get found out massively at this level.

Posted by: Mack Jun 14 2017, 07:44 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if we got knocked out of the group stages again in Russia if we make it through that is.

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 14 2017, 09:14 PM

I don't understand why they have this AFTER the World Cup qualifier but hey ho! Your point about the international schedules are harsh tho - it's because of the length of the club season that the internationals are on these dates as they had to wait until the end of the club season including the ridiculously late European cup final.

Posted by: Houdini Jun 19 2017, 02:53 PM

Any early World Cup winner predictions? I'm fairly certain that a European country will win the World Cup next year as the conditions will be more suited to a Champions League type of match. I can see it being France or Germany at this stage with a year still to go.

Posted by: Iz~ Jun 19 2017, 03:14 PM

France will suffer a qualifying scare but make it in anyway, via a playoff, beating one of the Irelands, and get to the semi-finals. Germany will get knocked out in the semi-finals while the hosts battle through to the quarters, while the achievement of getting out of the group stage for the first time post-USSR is undervalued by Russians who'll find some way to cry foul. England gets to the round of 16 and loses to DR Congo, having learned no lessons.

Belgium will win, beating Brazil in the final, while the Netherlands don't even make it over to Russia.

Posted by: Soy Adrián Jun 19 2017, 04:13 PM

Have Belgium found any full backs yet? They could be very dangerous if so.

Our team, particularly our front six, is full of players who would be on the fringes of the squad for the really top teams and could be very useful if we were to find a cohesive system to play them in. Unfortunately that doesn't look like happening any time soon, and the most obvious starting point - the current Spurs set up - has performed awfully in Europe thus far.

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 20 2017, 11:43 PM

Are either Spain or France gonna end up in the playoff??

Posted by: DJHazey Jun 22 2017, 01:37 PM

For France it's possible, but they have a more favorable schedule than Sweden. Sweden still has to travel to Netherlands while France gets the Dutch at home. In fact, three of Sweden's last four matches are away while France has three at home. Both have home fixtures against Luxembourg and goal differential in that match could be a key factor if one of them can do a 5-0 or 6-0.

Spain is more unlikely, they still have their home match vs. Italy and have a +4 in Goal differential right now.


---

In Asia, Uzbekistan has a legit chance. They travel to China while Korea hosts Iran (Aug 31). If Uzbekistan loses and Korea wins (an unlikely scenario) then Uzbekistan can only hope for the playoffs. If they get a result in China, then the match against Korea on Sept 5th in Tashkent becomes massive. A win over Korea then, could mean an automatic trip the World Cup. The first in their history.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Jun 28 2017, 01:48 PM

Most of us have enjoyed that moment of excitement when we decide that it would be a great idea to have a party. In the first full flush of eager generosity, we invite everyone we know. It's going to be such fun! That's pretty much the best part over for the host. Then you have to cope with the expense, the preparation and the worries about who's going to turn up. During the party, you fret about whether or not everyone's having a good time. Then when they've all gone home, you have to clear up the depressing mess, wash the stains out of the carpet and pay for all the damage. But if you think that's bad, imagine hosting a World Cup.

Hosting the World Cup is a much worse scenario. FIFA is not only your outside caterer, it also becomes the self-invited control freak that tells you exactly how to run your own party. At huge expense, it bullies you into remodelling and renaming all your rooms ("This bog is now the Coca Cola Personal Hygiene Facility"). It moodily threatens to move the party somewhere else if you don't get your act together and finish the preparations on time. It dictates which beer and food to serve. It makes sure that it will be the guest of honour, quaffing vintage champagne in an exclusive VIP room with its best corporate friends, and you'll only be allowed in wearing a butler's uniform. And then when it's all over, it packs up and leaves you feeling used and empty – like those huge, all-seater stadiums it insisted that you needed so that Chile could play Honduras.


I've always wanted England to host the World Cup, but this extract from When Saturday Comes offers an entertaining and probably true outlook. Good luck Russia.

Posted by: Mart!n Jun 28 2017, 06:53 PM

I fell to sleep half way through the match.

Posted by: Houdini Jun 29 2017, 05:18 PM

I heard during commentary of last night's Confederations Cup Semi final that the kick off time for the World Cup final is going to be at 4 PM UK time. If that is true then it must be one of the earliest times for a World Cup final for people based in the UK. I remember the 2002 World Cup final kicking off at around 12 PM UK time.

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 29 2017, 11:47 PM

What time we the USA 94 final!?

Posted by: Houdini Jun 30 2017, 11:04 AM

I don't know but it was probably in the early hours of the morning UK time.

Posted by: Steve201 Jun 30 2017, 06:53 PM

I remember staying up until 2am to watch Sweden Brazil in the semi final but for some reason I think the final was at a better time for Europe?! It was a scorcher I remember that!

Posted by: DJHazey Aug 14 2017, 04:39 PM

Biggest matches in September:

Asia - Group A - South Korea (13) Uzbekistan (12)

8/31: Uzbekistan at China
8/31: Iran at South Korea
9/5: South Korea at Uzbekistan

Higher finisher goes to World Cup, lower finisher heads to playoff.

Asia - Group B - Japan (17) Saudi Arabia (16) Australia (16)

8/31: Saudi Arabia at UAE
8/31: Australia at Japan
9/5: Thailand at Australia
9/5: Japan at Saudi Arabia

Top two finishers go to World Cup, third place goes to playoffs.


Africa - Group A - Congo DR (6) Tunisia (6) Guinea (0) Libya (0)

9/1: Congo DR at Tunisia
9/5: Tunisia at Congo DR

Team with the better results is in the driver's seat for a World Cup qualification.

Africa - Group B - Nigeria (6) Cameroon (2) Zambia (1) Algeria (1)

8/31: Cameroon at Nigeria
9/4: Nigeria at Cameroon

If Cameroon can do some damage, it will tighten the group up.

Africa - Group C - Ivory Coast (4) Gabon (2) Morocco (2) Mali (1)

9/2: Ivory Coast at Gabon
9/5: Gabon at Ivory Coast

If Gabon can pull off some upsets, then this group will still have drama, but two wins by the Elephants will likely have them headed back to the World Cup unless Morocco keeps things close.

Africa - Group D - Burkina Faso (4) South Africa (4) Senegal (3) Cape Verde (0)

9/2: Burkina Faso at Senegal
9/5: Senegal at Burkina Faso

South Africa is likely to gets good results against Cape Verde, so can one of these two teams put a positive foot forward?

Africa - Group E - Egypt (6) Uganda (4) Ghana (1) Congo (0)

8/31: Egypt at Uganda
9/5: Uganda at Egypt

It's pretty simple, if Egypt takes care of business against Uganda, then their first World Cup in over 25 years looks likely while Ghana would miss out for the first time in a long time.

CONCACAF - Final Round - Mexico (14) Costa Rica (11) United States (8) Panama (7) Honduras (5) Trinidad & Tobago (3)

9/1: Costa Rica at USA
9/1: Panama at Mexico
9/1: Honduras at Trinidad
9/5: USA at Honduras
9/5: Trinidad at Panama
9/5: Mexico at Costa Rica

USA is historically bad at Honduras and if that trend continues, there's an opportunity for Honduras to climb back into things. Otherwise with two tough matches for Costa Rica, USA could grab second place.

South America - Colombia (24) Uruguay (23) Chile (23) Argentina (22) Ecuador (20) Peru (18) Paraguay (18)

8/31: Paraguay at Chile
8/31: Argentina at Uruguay
8/31: Ecuador at Brazil
8/31: Bolivia at Peru
8/31: Colombia at Venezuela
9/5: Chile at Bolivia
9/5: Brazil at Colombia
9/5: Peru at Ecuador
9/5: Venezuela at Argentina
9/5: Uruguay at Paraguay

Argentina are currently in the playoff position as it stands.

Oceania - Final Round

9/1: Soloman Islands at New Zealand
9/5: New Zealand at Soloman Islands

Winner advances to playoff with CONCACAF

Europe - Group A - Sweden (13) France (13) Netherlands (10)

8/31: Netherlands at France

Europe - Group C - Germany (18) Northern Ireland (13) Czech Republic (9)

9/4: Czech Republic at Northern Ireland

Europe - Group D - Serbia (12) Ireland (12) Wales (8) Austria (8)

9/2: Austria at Wales
9/5: Serbia at Ireland

Europe - Group E - Poland (16) Montenegro (10) Denmark (10) Romania (6) Armenia (6)

9/1: Poland at Denmark
9/1: Armenia at Romania
9/4: Romania at Montenegro
9/4: Demark at Armenia

Europe - Group F - England (14) Slovakia (12) Slovenia (11) Scotland (8)

9/1: Slovenia at Slovakia
9/4: Slovakia at England

Europe - Group G - Italy (16) Spain (16)

9/2: Italy at Spain

Europe - Group H - Belgium (16) Greece (12) Bosnia (11)

9/3: Belgium at Greece

Europe - Group I - Croatia (13) Iceland (13) Turkey (11) Ukraine (11)

9/2: Turkey at Ukraine
9/5: Croatia at Turkey
9/5: Ukraine at Iceland

Posted by: Mack Aug 14 2017, 07:43 PM

Thank you very much again for doing this, DJHazey.

Very much appreciated.

Posted by: Steve201 Aug 14 2017, 09:52 PM

I'm heading to 2 World Cup qualifiers in Sept - my usual journey to the latestIreland game and I'm heading to Amsterdam the weekend before on my stag and heading to the Holland Bulgaria game - looking forward to it!!

Posted by: Dobbo Aug 23 2017, 05:04 PM

Rooney has announced his retirement from international football. I'm sure the public reaction is very split by that

Personally I think he should have played until at least the next World Cup, switching to Everton means he'll get a lot more goals & appearances at club level so he would have gone into the comp in good form probably.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 23 2017, 05:13 PM

Good, cannot stand the baked bean head. Very sad day when he overtook Charlton's record, but he has a World Cup Winners medal, so i doubt he even cared.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 23 2017, 05:15 PM

Bulgarian football i find interesting, as well as all the other obscure European leagues. Estonian one has grounds that wouldnt look out of place in Sunday league.

Am thinking of making a trip to Tallinn and watch Levadia play against Flora.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 23 2017, 05:18 PM

My other half did that when he was 13 watching on a black and white TV in his bedroom!.

Would love to see Egypt qualify, was well annoyed when they got robbed at the AFCON final, but at least getting to the final built the foundations to rebuild and make them a force again (spent a few years away from the AFCON also).

Posted by: Dobbo Aug 23 2017, 05:28 PM

That record will be broken again & again in the future when we're playing 10 friendlies per year against Andorra...

Posted by: Rooney Aug 23 2017, 06:03 PM

Thanks for the service Rooney - he had a great few years between 2004 and 2008 but after that his goals are mostly against shit teams and penalties. He never really kicked on to reach the levels he could, shame. He's finished as a top player now, he will play for Everton but he is still slow and immobile. Sure he knows where the back of the net is, but it's clear he wants to play every game which I don't think he can do at England. And playing him as a #10 is not right.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 23 2017, 06:56 PM

.. and drawing them or San Marino in every qualifying round.

England fans are so full of themselves for always getting easy groups, citing "Top seeds!haha!". The point is, from every pot they get the weakest or second weakest team almost every time.

Still, they really made a meal out of "Group E-A-S-Y" in 2010.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 23 2017, 07:46 PM

I remember when as soon as England won that penalty against Slovenia, the camera went right on his mug straight away.

Almost made me vommit.

Posted by: Soy Adrián Aug 23 2017, 07:57 PM

In fairness...

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/UEFA_Nations_League

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 23 2017, 08:23 PM

Good idea that competition, gets rid of the pointless friendlies. Bet England will still draw the joke teams in qualifying rounds for the WC, seeing the NL also is used for Euro Champs qualification.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 23 2017, 08:40 PM

Other half said it was about 7:30 ish UK time. Was the first World Cup he watched.

Posted by: DJHazey Aug 30 2017, 05:40 PM

Saudi Arabia played their game away to United Arab Emirates a couple of days early and lost 1-2. So if you were rooting for a Saudi Arabian return to the World Cup things got a whole lot more dicey now.

Everything lies on the match between Australia and Japan in Saitama tomorrow. Australia wins or draws and the 9/5 match between Saudi Arabia (16) and Japan (17) becomes winner take all. If Japan wins then things become even more dicey. Even though Saud Arabia would be ahead on goal difference, they have a far tougher match (hosting Japan) than Australia does by hosting Thailand.

Posted by: Steve201 Aug 30 2017, 10:10 PM

Got my tickets for Amsterdam on Sunday evening for Holland vs Bulgaria and then back to Dublin Tuesday for Ireland vs serbia - excited!!

Posted by: Iz~ Aug 31 2017, 01:04 PM

It has indeed panned out the latter way! I'm pleased, as it means Japan is now home and dry, and it still looks pretty good for Australia to make it as long as Japan can help them out against the Saudis.

Posted by: DJHazey Aug 31 2017, 01:35 PM

It's perfectly feasible to see a 1-0 Saudi win against Japan and if that's the case Australia would need to win 3-0 vs. Thailand. They are two goals behind right now.

Saudi Arabia is lucky to be home and will want that home crowd rockin' against a Japanese squad that won't be playing for anything.

Posted by: DJHazey Aug 31 2017, 03:38 PM

A bit of a shocker as Uganda downs Egypt 1-0 in Kampala today which means Egypt no longer has an easy road and if Ghana gets their footing, well we've all seen this scenario play out before...

Uzbekistan's loss to China was a heartbreaker but they can still qualify by beating South Korea at home in the final match and hope Iran takes care of Syria (who are now tied for 3rd place in the group and ahead of Uzbekistan on goal diff.)

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Aug 31 2017, 04:04 PM

Japan always flatter to deceive at the finals, but well done to them. Australia looked limited at the Confed Cup so might be good to see the Saudis back... they're good value either way!

Posted by: Houdini Aug 31 2017, 04:23 PM

Which countries are looking to book their qualification over the next week? I'm normally not a fan of international breaks but this break and the one after that will have more purpose behind it than usual.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 31 2017, 04:24 PM

Comsumary finish for Egypt as usual then!.

Impress at the AFCON, flop in WC Qualifying!. Always the same old teams from Africa also!. This is like the UCL with the same familiar semi-final line-up year in year out due to the formatting never changing (CAF qualifying has been the same format since France 98 qualifying also).

Is there a chance Uganda can make it instead?. I hate a World Cup in which every single team have been there before, its what made the 2014 tournament so cr@p (plus a few other reasons), although it was on a technicality involving Slovakia continuing on Czechoslovakia's record.

Posted by: Iz~ Aug 31 2017, 04:40 PM

We'll have at least two different African teams as 3 of 2010/4's 5 (not counting South Africa) are in the same group and only the winner makes it. And I think it's still going to be a long road back for Ghana, but I couldn't say which of the three in that group will make it.

Group A will give us a team that hasn't shown since at least 2006 no matter what.

I feel like this week will mainly just confirm most of Asia if I'm reading my maths right. Maybe Mexico and a couple of the Europeans that are pulling ahead, Poland with the biggest gap between them and their chasers looks likely.

Posted by: LadyLea Aug 31 2017, 05:05 PM

Looks like both AFCON finalists won't qualify!.

Posted by: DJHazey Aug 31 2017, 06:08 PM

Uganda qualifying is still a long shot as their remaining matches are at Egypt, home vs. Ghana, and away to Congo. I'm betting Egypt will throttle them in Alexandria.


Right now if you had me choose the five African teams that will qualify based on the current standings and remaining matches, they would be: Congo DR, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Egypt


As far teams that can clinch this week (mathematically but some are long shots):


Africa: Nigeria, Ivory Coast
Asia: South Korea, Uzbekistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Australia, UAE
CONCACAF: Mexico, Costa Rica
South America: Colombia, Uruguay, Chile
Europe: Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Belgium

Posted by: Mack Aug 31 2017, 09:37 PM

Thanks again for doing this, DJHazey.

Holland in real of danger of missing out on the World Cup, now 4th in the group and behind Sweden and Bulgaria after a 4-0 defeat.

Posted by: Steve201 Aug 31 2017, 10:00 PM

It's all to play for nowadays Holland have to win on Sunday - the Amsterdam Arena could be a bit down!!

Posted by: Mart!n Sep 1 2017, 08:50 PM

England's match was a bit of a chore to watch until the last 5 minutes, not a great match but they could have scored more, need to win on Monday

Posted by: Dobbo Sep 1 2017, 08:54 PM

Eh, it was a job well done in the end. Only turned on the last 10 minutes mind so I got lucky! Added a bit of gloss to the scoreline,

Win on Monday & that's the group sewn up.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Sep 1 2017, 09:08 PM

I can safely say that you missed almost nothing. Overall, the match was truly dire.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Sep 1 2017, 09:11 PM

It is undeniable that England have had some pretty easy draws in recent qualifiers. Unfortunately, I think that works against us when we get to the final tournament. After breezing through the qualifiers it comes as a real shock to come up against some decent opposition. A more testing group might make us better prepared for the finals (as long as we still get there).

Posted by: LadyLea Sep 1 2017, 10:11 PM

At least England qualify for every tournament, not every national team can say that I suppose, although the following summer we get laughed at by the media as soon as we are out.

Totally awful tonight, made the scoreline flatter us, Southgate says Hart is England's best goalkeeper (let in 11 in 3 games and not one save to make tonight), while an idiot tweets "What's wrong?, easy-peasy England". Its attitudes like this that cause delusion and no forward progress in improvement. The passing in the first half was almost non existent in terms of being actually any good.

Posted by: Soy Adrián Sep 1 2017, 10:29 PM

Glenn Hoddle talking absolute nonsense as usual when asked if we should try and play a team similar to that we'll use against better opposition. "No, you play the team that gets you the three points".

We've had such a problem in the past that we expect the England team and squad to be automatically comprised of whichever English players are in good form at the time. I understand that big team bias is still very much in effect, but establishing a regular side and making sure they get used to playing together is absolutely essential for international football these days.

Not that any of this has much impact on the Malta game.

Posted by: LadyLea Sep 2 2017, 08:08 AM

When will ITV stop using that ancient Verve/Rolling Stones rip off song as break bumpers and the intro?. Their stubbonness not to change it is just like the FA's stubborness in employing Yes-Men to the England job all the time.

Posted by: Mack Sep 2 2017, 06:51 PM

Spain v Italy could be a tasty encounter tonight.

Pique booed by Spanish fans because the match is being played at Madrid.

Posted by: Mack Sep 3 2017, 09:39 PM

France drew against Luxembourg hahaha with Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Thomas Lemar, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe all started

Posted by: Suedehead2 Sep 3 2017, 09:59 PM

That makes England's woeful performance on Friday seem quite good

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Sep 3 2017, 10:12 PM

France will win the World Cup next summer I reckon.

Posted by: Houdini Sep 4 2017, 12:25 AM

Mexico and Belgium have qualified for the World Cup!

I said earlier in this thread that I thought France or Germany will win the World Cup and I'm sticking with that for now. I think they have the best squads in World football at the moment but if Germany get too complacent it could cost them.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 5 2017, 03:58 PM

I love how Luxembourg mucked things up by getting that draw in France. Wow. The best chance for Sweden is for France to be held in Bulgaria next month but they didn't do themselves any favors with their loss in Bulgaria.


As for Asia qualifiers going right now:

Australia beat Thailand as expected, but only 2-1. Bit of a shocker. So they are still behind Saud Arabia in goal differential. Jeddah will undoubtedly be rocking here soon, because any kind of win by the Saudis over Japan means Australia is headed to the playoffs.

Syria jumped out to an early lead in Tehran, but Iran has since tied right before halftime. As long Syria don't win and Uzbekistan can find a way ahead at home vs. South Korea, then Uzbekistan will earn their first World Cup berth. However, anything less than a win means the Koreans will go and it will be between Syria and Uzbekistan for playoffs.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 5 2017, 05:26 PM

What a mess. Uzbekistan not only failed to score and beat South Korea to advance directly to the World Cup, but since Syria grabbed a stoppage time goal in Tehran they move onto the playoff on goal differential and Uzbekistan is completely out.

Posted by: Steve201 Sep 6 2017, 02:41 AM

Terrible result for Ireland tonight - difficult to see the momentum changing next month! Serbs were a bunch of time wasters tho, ref terrible!!

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Sep 6 2017, 11:54 AM

Some great outsiders look like they could qualify... Egypt, Burkina Faso, Peru, Panama are all in qualification spots as it stands! Would be such a story if Syria manage to get there too.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 6 2017, 12:43 PM

United States have to beat Panama next month and then they could still be headed for playoffs if they trip up and lose in Trinidad. Even as an American supporter, I can't lie and say I wouldn't be intrigued by a Australia/USA playoff for the World Cup. Bobby Wood's goal yesterday though was HUGE and we're at least not on life support because of it.

Gabon beating Ivory Coast in Abidjan (after being destroyed in Libreville three days prior) means that Morocco again has a shot, but they likely will need to pull off an upset away to Ivory Coast.

The biggest story is the "WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?" from Cape Verde Islands. A team that captured everyone's imagination in the 2013 African Cup of Nations and has since fallen off. They started out looking like the same story would continue playing out, including a disappointing 0-2 home loss to Burkina Faso. Now they find themselves in first place. If they make this fairytale a reality, then it would be equal to Iceland making the Euro last year.

Posted by: Houdini Sep 6 2017, 03:02 PM

It would be one of the biggest stories in World Cup history if Syria qualified, I kind of hope that it happens as it could give a morale boost to people who live there but then it could also lead to more potential terrorist bombings if there are gatherings of people watching Syria's matches.

Posted by: DJHazey Sep 18 2017, 02:52 PM

Pre-October update:

Qualified: Russia, Brazil, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Belgium, South Korea, Saudi Arabia


Asia:

Syria vs. Australia (10/5 and 10/10) -- Winner plays the 4th place CONCACAF team.


Africa:


Group A - Tunisia (10) Congo DR (7)

10/7: Congo DR at Libya
10/7: Tunisia at Guinea

Tunisia wins the group with a win/draw and Congo DR loss.

Group B - Nigeria (10) Zambia (7)

10/7: Zambia at Nigeria

Nigeria wins the group by winning this match.

Group C - Ivory Coast (7) - Morocco (6) - Gabon (5) - Mali (2)

10/6: Ivory Coast at Mali
10/7: Gabon at Morocco

Ivory Coast wins group with a win and Morocco loss.

Group D - Burkina Faso (6) - Cape Verde Islands (6) - Senegal (5) - South Africa (1)

10/7: Senegal at Cape Verde
10/7: Burkina Faso at South Africa

Nobody can win the group yet.

Group E - Egypt (9) - Uganda (7) - Ghana (5)

10/7: Ghana at Uganda
10/8: Congo at Egypt

Egypt wins the group with a win and a Ghana win or Ghana/Uganda match draw.


CONCACAF:


Mexico (18) - Costa Rica (15) - Panama (10) - United States (9) - Honduras (9) - Trinidad & Tobago (3)

10/6: Trinidad at Mexico
10/6: Honduras at Costa Rica
10/6: Panama at United States
10/10: United States at Trinidad
10/10: Costa Rica at Panama
10/10: Mexico at Honduras

Costa Rica advances to WC with any kind of positive result in either match. United States vs. Panama winner has the best chance to advance considering Honduras has a brutal schedule. Either Panama/USA/Honduras will go to playoff round with Asia.

South America:

Uruguay (27) - Colombia (26) - Peru (24) - Argentina (24) - Chile (23) - Paraguay (21) - Ecuador (20)

The top three from this part of the group would advance to the WC and the 4th place team (currently Argentina) would play New Zealand.

10/5: Ecuador at Chile
10/5: Paraguay at Colombia
10/5: Peru at Argentina
10/5: Uruguay at Venezuela
10/10: Venezuela at Paraguay
10/10: Bolivia at Uruguay
10/10: Chile at Brazil
10/10: Argentina at Ecuador
10/10: Colombia at Peru

Europe:

Group A - France (17) - Sweden (16) - Netherlands (13) - Bulgaria (12)

10/7: France at Bulgaria
10/10: Sweden at Netherlands

Sweden's best chance at winning this group is to have Bulgaria pull off that upset result against France. Then they would head to Amsterdam Arena with a chance to win and send the French to the playoffs.

Group B - Switzerland (24) - Portugal (21)

10/10: Switzerland at Portugal

Doesn't get any bigger than this. If Portugal wins, then goal differential would see them over the Swiss.

Group C - Germany (24) - Northern Ireland (19)

10/5: Germany at Northern Ireland

A Northern Ireland win would make things interesting, but not really as the Germans host Azerbaijan on the last match day. This is likely already your WC qualifier and playoff team from this group.

Group D - Serbia (18) - Wales (14) - Ireland (13) - Austria (9)

10/9: Ireland at Wales

Serbia is likely winning this group, but that 10/9 match in Cardiff is going to be one of the bigger matches in each country's national team history. It will likely be winner goes to the playoffs and loser is out. How amazing would a "BAAAAAAALE!" moment be in like the 89th minute or something?

Group E - Poland (19) - Montenegro (16) - Denmark (16)

10/5: Denmark at Montenegro
10/8: Montenegro at Poland

It's undoubtedly a tall order, but if Montenegro grab two wins then they would qualify for their first World Cup. Denmark would need to win and get help. A draw would mean that Montenegro goes ahead since their goals scored and differential are amazingly the same and Montenegro won their first match 1-0 in Copenhagen.

Group F - England (20) - Slovakia (15) - Slovenia (14) - Scotland (14)

10/5: Slovenia at England
10/5: Slovakia at Scotland
10/8: Scotland at Slovenia

For the Scottish to make a playoff run, they would likely need to get two wins. Unless they win big over Slovakia and then draw at Ljubliana.

Group G - Spain (22) - Italy (19)

It's pretty much elementary at this point. Spain are going to the World Cup and Italy is headed to the playoffs and becomes the team nobody wants to be drawn against.

Group H - Belgium (22) - Bosnia (14) - Greece (13) - Cyprus (10)

10/7: Belgium at Bosnia
10/7: Greece at Cyprus
10/10: Cyprus at Belgium

It would be a huge miracle for Cyprus to make the playoffs, but they could spoil the party for Greece. The most likely scenario is that Bosnia needs to win their match vs. Belgium at home or see the Greeks head to the playoffs.

Group I - Croatia (16) - Iceland (16) - Turkey (14) - Ukraine (14)

10/6: Iceland at Turkey
10/9: Croatia at Ukraine

It really depends on who slips up in their big road game for Iceland and Croatia. If they both lose those games then suddenly Turkey and Ukraine may be playing for a trip to Russia next year.

Posted by: Mack. Sep 29 2017, 11:08 AM

Delle Alli has been banned for one England game by FIFA following that gesture he made during the qualifier against Slovakia.

He'll miss Thursday's match against Slovenia.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 2 2017, 10:02 PM

Spains fans have booed Gerard Pique at a World Cup training session. He is considering his position playing for Spain!

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 5 2017, 10:10 PM

The pitch invader was the only highlight in another poor performance against Slovenia. Still we're in the World Cup.

Germany have also qualified.

And Syria keep their chances alive after drawing against Australia.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 6 2017, 01:05 PM

Argentina will struggle to be there - have to win their last game just to qualify for the playoff!

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Oct 6 2017, 01:17 PM

It's a big shock to see Argentina on the brink, but consider they have scored less than a goal a game in qualifying - with players like Messi, Aguero, Higuaín to call upon! Also, while they reached the final in 2014, they were pretty dire to watch. Their knockout games were something like 1-0, 1-0, 0-0.

I haven't seen much of South American qualifying, but Peru might be a breath of fresh air in the finals. Certainly never been near a World Cup in my lifetime and the kit is pretty iconic.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 7 2017, 07:22 AM

Good win for Ireland last night - roll on Monday!!

Posted by: Houdini Oct 7 2017, 09:56 AM

Spain have qualified for the World Cup after winning their match last night. Iceland are on the verge of qualifying to, I hope they make it so that we can get more of their chants that were heard during Euro 2016.

Posted by: HobDoblin Oct 7 2017, 08:48 PM

The Netherlands are effectively out for second consecutive tournament but that was a proper group of death they were in, you'd expect France, Sweden & them to easily be through if they were all in separate groups.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Oct 7 2017, 09:50 PM

Not a given the way they've been playing. And they finished 4th in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.

Nigeria qualified tonight and expect to see the likes of Poland, Costa Rica and Egypt join them in the next few days.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Oct 7 2017, 10:34 PM

Switzerland have won all nine of their matches but go into their final match against Portugal knowing that they will only finish second if they lose

Posted by: jessie j Oct 8 2017, 08:22 AM

strange question, but how come England ALWAYS get a piss-easy group yet the likes of Portugal and Holland always have hard groups?

Posted by: Houdini Oct 8 2017, 12:08 PM

Happy to see Nigeria qualify for the World Cup, getting to the last 16 would be a good achievement for them and all of the African teams. Can't believe Holland are going to miss out on the World Cup. It will be a shame to see players like Robben and Blind not taking part but the squad as a whole is a shadow of it's former self. Their 2010 team would have qualified easily from their group!

Posted by: Sabrina. Oct 8 2017, 04:12 PM

Based on world rankings at the time.

England are currently ranked 15th in the world, so I suspect they won't get the easiest of draws the next time around

Posted by: Rooney Oct 8 2017, 08:01 PM

Regardless of our ranking, we should be able to qualify for Euro 2020 even if we have a top team in the group. UEFA are meant to be massively shaking the qualifying up though, so chances are we might be the best team in the group as other teams will have already have qualified.

We need to have a good World Cup and Euro 2020 though (providing we qualify) to have a good shot at qualifying for 2022.

Posted by: Houdini Oct 9 2017, 06:36 PM

Massive day for Argentina tomorrow, if they lose their final group match then they will miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1970. The thought of a World Cup without Argentina and Lionel Messi is mind blowing!

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 9 2017, 08:38 PM

Iceland have qualified for the World Cup for the first time.

Posted by: Doctor Blind Oct 9 2017, 08:42 PM

Here's hoping for a re-match against England!

Posted by: HobDoblin Oct 9 2017, 09:02 PM

First Scotland & now Wales are out. Both Irelands in the play-offs, hopefully at least one of them can qualify.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 10 2017, 09:29 PM

Syria miss out in extra time to Australia in their two-legged playoff.
France and Portugal through as expected. Switzerland have to go the playoffs after winning their first 9 games losing in the final game.

Holland officially out.

Posted by: Houdini Oct 10 2017, 09:39 PM

Gutted for Syria, it would have been nice for them to qualify. I guess Australia are practically guaranteed their place now unless if USA finish 4th in the North America/Caribbean and play them in another play off.


The Argentina match could be epic potentially!

Posted by: Hocus Pokus Oct 10 2017, 09:57 PM

Would have been funny if Portugal lost out on a place in the World Cup after their fluke win in the Euros.

And Netherlands out of the World Cup after beating Brazil in the World Cup semi's three years ago they are not the team they used to be.

Posted by: Houdini Oct 11 2017, 01:28 AM

After being on the brink of missing out on the World Cup Argentina have qualified thanks to a hat trick from Messi against Ecuador in a 3-1 win. The 3rd goal from him in particular was really good and they have finished in 3rd place. Uruguay and Colombia also qualify automatically and Peru will face New Zealand in a play off match to decide which of those two teams qualifies.


Chile drop to sixth place and are out which means that Alexis Sanchez and Auturo Vidal amongst others wont be going to Russia next year. Panama could possibly pip United States to the last automatic North America/Carribean place as things stand during the matches that are taking place right now.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 11 2017, 01:29 AM

As it stands Honduras will take the last automatic North American/Caribbean place.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 11 2017, 01:58 AM

Incredible, Panama have qualified for the first ever World Cup. Honduras will play Australia in the playoff and USA are out.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Oct 11 2017, 08:01 AM

What a night of qualifying, the perfect antidote to following England! I knew the Dutch were gone, and Chile going out wasn't a surprise but never thought the USA would be eliminated! Especially before a play-off! To finish 5th in that group is pretty shocking.

I've done some calculations and have projected these pots for the finals draw. There's a change this year - instead of the ranking just deciding the seeds and the rest of the pots geographical this year all the pots will be decided by world ranking. So as it stands...

Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France
Pot 2: Spain, England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay
Pot 3: Egypt, Iran
Pot 4: Panama, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (the winner of the Ivory Coast/Morocco group also guaranteed to be Pot 4).

(still to be decided: Iceland, Costa Rica, Serbia, Nigeria, Japan).

Although from an English perspective, there isn't an easy group anymore.

Posted by: HissingSparkler Oct 11 2017, 08:33 AM

Holland aren't very good any more like they used to be for some reason!

Indeed, I was hoping they would qualify.



Yes hopefully!

Posted by: Houdini Oct 11 2017, 12:04 PM

Fantastic to see another new or unusual country such as Panama qualifying for the World Cup, I suspect they will become everyone's 2nd favourite team similar to Trinidad & Tobago in the 2006 World Cup. I'm surprised at United States not qualifying and it will feel weird not seeing them take part.

Posted by: DJHazey Oct 11 2017, 12:16 PM

Embarrassing for the United States. It does however prove at the same time how difficult CONCACAF qualifying is despite people thinking it's a cakewalk. The "Hex" is extremely difficult and unpredictable. Just look at the U.S. being eliminated this time around and Mexico being on the brink of elimination last time. American coach Bruce Arena put it best when he said "I'd love to see some of those hot-shot European teams try to qualify having to play at some of the venues we deal with." He's probably right considering the big European squads play the Liechtensteins and Moldovas of the world. UEFA needs to amend their qualifying and have at least two round, so that some of the lower teams get eliminated early on which prevents pointless 8-0 blowouts from occurring and allows the developing nations to play other nations on their level and be competitive.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Oct 11 2017, 02:00 PM

I don't think the American team would have qualified from many of the European qualifying groups this time. Not guaranteed anyway, like they should through CONCACAF.

Posted by: commonsense Oct 11 2017, 04:47 PM

Glad they qualified.

Posted by: Martyn Oct 11 2017, 05:39 PM

Looks like they are doing something like this. The new qualifying looks insanely complicated.

Posted by: DJHazey Oct 11 2017, 06:11 PM

It's about time.

If it were me, I'd do this for 2022, when there will still be 14 qualifiers from the region.

I would have seven groups of five in the final round. Each groups plays 8 matches (the other four teams home and away). The top two from each group qualify for the World Cup.

So that final round would have 35 teams, but 21 of them would automatically receive a bye to this round and the other 14 would come from the preliminary round.

That round would have the bottom 33 in Europe in five groups of five and two groups of four. The top two teams from each group would go the final round.


So to recap: 54 split into 21 seeded teams and 33 non-seeded. 33 non-seeded play a preliminary round to come up with 14. Those 14 gets added to the 21 seeded nations and those groups decide the final 14 for the World Cup.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 11 2017, 07:00 PM

Some result in Cardiff - was two days after my wedding so couldn't go but went nuts when McClean put the ball in the net!!

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 13 2017, 09:45 PM

With Strachan gone who do you think will be the next Scotland manager?

Posted by: bigwiglaf Oct 13 2017, 09:53 PM

With the USNMT failing to qualify, manager Bruce Arena has resigned his position with the squad....would be interesting to see if the US are able to Qualify for the 2022 World Cup....

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 13 2017, 10:27 PM

Teams qualified so far:


RUSSIA (Hosts)
BELGIUM
ENGLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
ICELAND
POLAND
PORTUGAL
SERBIA
SPAIN

ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
COLOMBIA
URUGUAY

COSTA RICA
MEXICO
PANAMA

IRAN
JAPAN
SAUDI ARABIA
SOUTH KOREA

EGYPT
NIGERIA

Posted by: Iz~ Oct 15 2017, 04:58 AM

Good to see Egypt and Panama in there for some variety. Mixed feelings about the USA going out, I tend to root against them and I'll miss that, it'll be a bit weird too. Can't deny I'm happy to see Central America showing them up though.

Iceland as well, they're really having a golden generation moment more than a fluke, even more so if they're the only Scandi there in the end.

Posted by: DJHazey Oct 17 2017, 02:39 PM

Europe Playoffs:


Northern Ireland vs. Switzerland -- 11/9 Belfast 11/12 Basel
Croatia vs. Greece -- 11/9 Zagreb 11/12 Piraeus
Denmark vs. Ireland -- 11/11 Copenhagen 11/14 Dublin
Sweden vs. Italy -- 11/10 Solna 11/13 Italy (Venue TBD)


My current rankings are Croatia (11), Italy (15), Switzerland (17), Sweden (21), Denmark (27), Northern Ireland (28), Ireland (37), Greece (55)

So based on this, I'll say Sweden has the best chance for an upset but I'm picking Northern Ireland, Croatia, Denmark, and Sweden based on the play I've seen recently.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 18 2017, 04:54 PM

Yeh think NI have a chance against the Swiss and Ireland do against Denmark but I understand it'll be hard as Denmark are similar to us in playing style!

Posted by: DJHazey Oct 18 2017, 05:04 PM

The only thing I don't see is Greece taking out Croatia, otherwise the other three matchups could either way.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Oct 18 2017, 09:18 PM

Switzerland, Croatia, Italy should go through for me - they look to just have that edge in quality and experience. Denmark - Ireland too close to call.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 19 2017, 12:00 AM

I'm not sure the Swiss do have the quality that's the thing. NI have a strong frame and could take set piece opportunities!

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Oct 19 2017, 07:50 AM

Shaqiri and Xhaka for starters! Switzerland tend to be one of those teams people underrate or assume they are boring but they do have a very good team. Obviously their qualifying group was easy and they froze in the final game against Portugal but they are favourites against Northern Ireland for a reason.

I do hope Northern Ireland get through though, Switzerland always get there and never do much.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 19 2017, 11:07 AM

Yeh they always come up short against half decent opposition and Shakiri etc sum them up in relation to to their inconsistency. Just think NI could sneak an away goal from a set piece. We shall see tho ML Hammer

Posted by: Rooney Oct 19 2017, 11:19 AM

Northern Ireland have a great chance as do the Republic. No easy draws, but both Denmark and Switzerland are the more favourable of the potential 4 opponents.

Posted by: Houdini Oct 19 2017, 12:22 PM

I hope both Irelands make it to the World Cup finals but it's more likely that they will both miss out. Sweden vs Italy should be a good tie and I can't imagine Italy not getting through that but it will be a close affair. Greece are a shadow of the side that they were in Euro 2004 so Croatia should easily win that match over two legs.


I think Australia will beat Honduras but I would rather Honduras win instead because Australia never make an impact whenever they qualify for the World Cup and normally end up bottom of their group. New Zealand vs Peru will be an interesting match up as both of these teams are rarely in the World Cup so it will be fresh to see either of these teams in Russia, this one could go either way.

Posted by: Steve201 Oct 20 2017, 12:07 AM

Think New Zealand were there last time round but since Australia have moved to the Asia qualifying they have a better chance!

Croatia may find it tougher with the managers sacking at the end of the qualifying campaign there - hopefully their mentality will be right and the get through as they are a quality side with good fans!!

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 25 2017, 01:11 PM

Are you watching, the England team?

As the England Under 17's are 3-1 up against Brazil in the U17's semi-fnal against Brazil with an hat-trick from Liverpool's Rhian Brewster.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey Oct 25 2017, 01:31 PM

Congratulations to the England Under 17's who make it to the final where they'll face either Spain or Mali by beating Brazil 3-1.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 9 2017, 10:50 PM

Stupid decision from the ref to give a penalty which hit Evan's shoulder for handball in N Ireland's defeat to Switzerland.

They'll have it to do now.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 9 2017, 11:29 PM

Good luck to anyone watching England v Germany tomorrow. Just has the probability of it being a 1-0 win to Germany.

Or England getting a pasting.

Posted by: Steve201 Nov 10 2017, 01:52 AM

Ridiculous decision in the NI game!

Posted by: Steve201 Nov 11 2017, 12:11 AM

Sweden 1 Itay 0 after the first leg!

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 11 2017, 07:55 PM

Tunisia, Morocco and Nigeria the latest teams to qualify for the World Cup.

Posted by: Houdini Nov 12 2017, 12:06 AM

Nigeria qualified last month, it's Senegal who qualified alongside Tunisia & Morocco. It will be only the second time that Senegal have taken part in a World Cup following their appearance in 2002.


No appearance for Ivory Coast this time, they're not as good as they used to be when they had the likes of Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue in their team.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Nov 12 2017, 12:10 PM

Good to see a variety of nations who don't normally qualify get there! Will be interesting to see the likes of Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal alongside teams like Panama and Saudi Arabia and hopefully Peru too.

This qualifying campaign is exactly why the World Cup shouldn't expand to 48 teams. These qualifiers have felt like part of the actual tournament with big teams already knocked out.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 12 2017, 11:10 PM

Switzerland through thanks to that dubious penalty. Also Croatia through against Greece.

4 spots left then.

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 13 2017, 01:34 PM

Would love to see Italy miss the World Cup as a selfish U.S. fan I can then say there were many teams that normally qualify that also missed: United States, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Ghana, hopefully Italy.

Posted by: Houdini Nov 13 2017, 05:58 PM

I've never seen a World Cup without Italy so it will be very strange if Italy don't win tonight against Sweden. Buffon will almost certainly retire from international football if Italy fail to qualify.

Posted by: D0bz Nov 13 2017, 09:53 PM

And they've failed, quite a shocker that!

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 13 2017, 10:03 PM

Indeed, a massive shock. First time in about three generations that they haven't made it, yet another 0-0 draw. 1958, the last time they weren't at the World Cup.

Sad to see Buffon end his international career like that.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Nov 13 2017, 10:17 PM

Sixty years is more than two generations.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 13 2017, 10:25 PM

Italy have won the World Cup 4 times and haven't missed the finals for 60 years. Only Brazil or Germany not qualifying would be bigger.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Nov 13 2017, 10:28 PM

I consider four nations to be the cornerstone of any World Cup: Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina. To see one of these miss out is such a shocker, and the tournament will be a poorer spectacle without the Italians. They always bring drama or controversy or sublime skill and unlikely results.

On another note, all these goalless play off games... doesn't bode well for the World Cup does it.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 13 2017, 10:30 PM

I'm hoping that won't be the norm for the World Cup, the 0-0 draws. We've had 6 in a row in the various play off games:

Honduras 0-0 Australia
New Zealand 0-0 Peru
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
Switzerland 0-0 N Ireland
Greece 0-0 Croatia
Italy 0-0 Sweden

Please can there be at least a goal tomorrow for Ireland.

Posted by: Houdini Nov 14 2017, 12:30 AM

I feel quite gutted that Italy have not qualified for the World Cup, historically part of the World Cup furniture I'll certainly miss them next year. Italy more often than not make a huge impact one way or another when they take part so it will feel very weird not having them there. I don't think Zlatan still plays for Sweden so that is another reason why I'm gutted that they made it instead of Italy.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 14 2017, 10:20 PM

Very rare to see a capitulation like that from an Irish side from what we've seen in the qualifiers. I was expecting a performance more like what Northern Ireland gave against the Swiss.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Nov 14 2017, 10:26 PM

Probably best for the tournament that Eriksen and Denmark have qualified ahead of the Irish... their limitations were shown up fully tonight!

Posted by: Rooney Nov 14 2017, 11:58 PM

Thought England played OK against Brazil. Think it's clear the 3-5-2 helps a lot better - I think it is a simpler system, but not sure it best suits our better players e.g. how do you play Lallana, Kane, Sterling & Alli all together at the same time. Definitely do not want to see Sterling as a wing-back...

Henderson gets a lot of stick for England, but Dier was absolutely dire tonight. Midfield just got bypassed time and time again because nobody could control it or pick a pass.

Posted by: D0bz Nov 15 2017, 09:03 AM

Re: Republic of Ireland - OUCH. Although I suppose if you're gonna lose, lose it in style & not get robbed like their northern brothers...

So England's answer to being the biggest joke in football is to become the biggest bore in football? Well, it's an improvement.

Posted by: Houdini Nov 15 2017, 11:31 AM

lol

I didn't even bother to watch that match or the match against Germany. I can't be bothered with international football when it comes to England, they symbolise all of the worst aspects of international breaks.


I'm not surprised Republic Of Ireland got knocked out of the play offs by Denmark but I didn't think they would get thrashed like that!

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 15 2017, 01:26 PM

The United States are in the early stages of forming a mini-tournament among all the major countries that missed the World Cup. They plan to invite Netherlands, Italy, Ghana, and Chile maybe Ivory Coast as well to a small tournament in 2018. It may just be a string of friendlies against all those teams or an unofficial tournament, which is yet to be determined.

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 15 2017, 03:36 PM

Also here's how the pots will look on December 1st when they draw the groups for the tournament:

Pot 1: Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Portugal, France, Belgium, Poland, Russia (automatically in Group A)
Pot 2: Spain, England, Croatia, Colombia, Mexico, Switzerland, Peru*, Uruguay
Pot 3: Iran, Egypt, Senegal, Denmark*, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Iceland
Pot 4: Japan, Morocco, Australia, Serbia*, Nigeria, Panama, South Korea, Saudi Arabia

* - If New Zealand pull off the upset tonight in Lima, then they would be in Pot 4, Serbia would move to 3, and Denmark would move to 2.

Spain has the potential to be drawn into a group with Brazil, Germany, Portugal, France, or Argentina. Madness.

Posted by: Houdini Nov 16 2017, 01:06 PM

Peru are the 32nd and final team to qualify for the World Cup after beating New Zealand 2-0 in the second leg of the play off match.

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 16 2017, 01:15 PM

We should do little contest for fun if we can 8 people to participate, or 16, but nothing inbetween.

If we had 8 people, then I would randomly give everyone four teams after the groups have been drawn -- I would draw one team from each of the pots above and be sure to not draw two teams from the same group.

Everytime one of your teams gets points, you get the points too. Simple as that.

Posted by: Houdini Nov 16 2017, 01:46 PM

Would that be during the tournament next year?


There will most likely be a sweepstake here on Buzzjack when the main tournament takes place next year, there was one for Euro 2016.

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 16 2017, 02:10 PM

Yes, for the final tournament in 2018.

If I remember how that sweepstakes went, that seems a bit unfair, especially if someone ends up with Germany and someone else gets Saudi Arabia.

Posted by: Klumzee Nov 16 2017, 03:14 PM

It's the luck of the draw! Not exactly unfair when everyone has equal opportunity to draw one of the big guns! Plus it gets as many people involved as people = more discussion = more fun!

Yay for Peru qualifying - nice to see another fresh face joining the World Cup. NZ will get their chance in the playoff every four years so I'm sure it won't be too long before they're back.

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 16 2017, 03:55 PM

Yeah but it'd be more fair if let's say you had everyone predict all the games and gets points on how many they get correct as far as picking a draw or who wins.

Posted by: Houdini Nov 16 2017, 05:25 PM

I'm sure there will be a prediction competition for the World Cup here as well. I can't remember who ran it (I think it was Mack?) but there was a prediction competition for Euro 2016 and that had less matches in total than the amount of matches that will take place at the World Cup so I'm sure lots of people would take part in that as well.

I wouldn't mind running a prediction competition for this tournament if no one else would be able to.

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 16 2017, 06:48 PM

Okay, I'd totally take part in the prediction one.

Posted by: Steve201 Nov 16 2017, 06:58 PM

Gutted after Tuesday night - had front row seats at landsdown too but it was a horror show!!

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 16 2017, 10:21 PM

I do have big plans for the World Cup on this forum with potentially a thread for each group and a main World Cup thread. I don't think I run the 2014 World Cup prediction game.

Liking these ideas though.

Posted by: DJHazey Nov 17 2017, 01:10 PM

I'd have no issue running the prediction game.

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat Nov 17 2017, 06:26 PM

Whilst I'm not at all convinced that he's anything close to a good manager who will bring success for England, I've been really impressed by what Southgate has done so far in terms of the squad. It's currently lookign far better than it previously has done and I'm glad the younger players are getting a chance, the likes of Walcott, Sturridge, Wilshere, Smalling and Chamberlain must have the best part of 200 caps between them and have achieved very little for England, I'm with him that it's time to give some new players a chance, to see if they can do much more with 20-30 caps instead. Yeah it'd probably be nice to see Henderson, Hart and Cahill included in that too, but be a bit realistic, we probably need to have some experience in there.

Let's face it, if Allardyce had never drunk his pint of wine and blabbed we'd still be raging at Rooney dropping too deep and giving the ball away too often.

If we went to Russia with something close to this squad I'd be absolutely delighted!

Butland, Hart, Pickford
Trippier, Walker, Rose, Young
Maguire, Cahill, Gomez, Jones, Stones
Henderson, Winks, Dier, Loftus-Cheek, Delph
Sterling, Alli, Rashford, Vardy, Kane, Lallana

With Heaton, Keane, Bertrand, Chalobah, Welbeck, Abraham and Lingard in reserve to choose from. I'd like Demari Gray too and should probably include Livermore in this list as much as I'd rather he wasn't in the squad.

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack Nov 17 2017, 08:46 PM

Wales will be looking for a new coach as Chris Coleman has left to join.... Sunderland.

What?