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Scotland V Czech Rep Preview

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:05:09 +0000

Two teams that have failed to reach the WC finals, so they are preparing for the Euro 2012 qualifiers, and a much experimental line-up is expected to be used by both managers.

Soon after the Scots were knocked out of the WC, they replaced their manager, and Craig Levein should show us why he was given the job by changing the image of Scotland in his 1st test.

This will also be an indication of whether Scotland may reach the Euro 2012 in Poland-Ukraine, as the Czech Republic were also drawn in the same group, alongside the likely front-runners and title defenders Spain, with the less-fortunate Lithuania and likely-bottom Liechtenstein also in the group.

I don’t know about you, but I think McFadden is the most effective striker in Scotland’s squad on the international scene. He’s out injured though, and so is Lee Wallace, while Kris Boyd (2nd best only to McFadden IMHO) starts on the bench!! Also McCulloch and Fletcher have been excluded for respective injuries.

The Czech come into this game with an almost totally revamped squad to replace their older boys who failed them in the WCQ campaign. A fairly inexperienced side that is to say, with only Arsenal’s Rosicky as a well recognized name.

Petr Cech, Grygera, Rozenhal, Baros and Kovac are all missing for one reason or another (and it’s time for many of them to retire from the international scene anyway).

Suffice it to say that in spite of the many absentees on the Scottish side, they still possess more experience on their side than their visitors, and they’re always hard to beat at their own den, so maybe Levein will be fortunate enough to start his reign with a win.

Pick:

Scotland win

Holland V USA Preview

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:03:48 +0000

Maybe not the most popular game for European punters, but it sure is a cracker for those who follow the game for entertainment.

The Dutch are a side that ‘should’ be seriously considered as genuine contenders for the WC title. However, much like Spain they almost always seem to flatter only to deceive, and the latest example was in Euro 2008 when they appeared to be on course to lift the trophy through superior displays and bug results in the group stage, only to get knocked out in the QF by Russia.

The USA are a side that is almost consistently being underestimated. They are viewed by most European spectators as a side that plays amateur football compared to the European standards, or one that is less in class at most.

Apparently this is not true. Throughout the history of the game the Americans have proved to be quite competitive. Now let’s not forget they did beat England in the WC 1950, and while ‘soccer’ may not be one of the top 3 popular sports in the US, it is being practiced by millions and is a major ‘industry’ still.

Moreover, players like Tim Howard (Everton keeper), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Bocanegra, Altidore, Donovan, Edu, Bradley, Davies.. etc, cannot be classed any less that most of their peers in Europe. Maybe the US does not have a player like Messi or Torres or Gerrard in their ranks, but –as a team- they are a strong side, and they proved it in the Confederations Cup when they managed to defeat Spain and took the lead against Brazil for a long time.

The American version though is more reliant of an athletic built than on skills. Big bodies and fast running is what the Americans have in abundance, but –again- there ARE some quite skillful players in their ranks.

The Dutch are using quite a strong side though, and they are out to prove they should not be overlooked in South Africa as title-winning candidates, but if you expect them to half a walk in the park I think you should reconsider.

Picks:

Over 2.5 goals

Germany V Argentina Preview

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:52:53 +0000

This one is going to be an interesting affair, especially since Maradona claims he is eying the WC trophy itself.

With a team that barely managed to reach the finals, and with such poor displays it’s almost laughable to even think of Argentina as genuine contenders, but there’s still room for improvement and –maybe- he can somehow bring back the team to what it ‘should’ be. After all, he does have the best player in the world in his squad, doesn’t he?

Germany are typically a team with super cannons upfront and weak defenses. They always play offensive football and know next to nothing about defensive tactics. In other words, the Manschaft defend through attacking.

Yet again, if you watch the Bundesliga often, you would see a trend to change that style to something more balanced by many teams, especially towards the top. Bayern for example are learning to slow down the play and have more ball possession in the midfield. Leverkusen are a solid side defensively, and so are Hamburg ‘occasionally’, while Schalke are traditionally the only team in Germany that knows something about defense and maintain that knowledge.

The Argentine are creative upfront, but their efficiency rate is not what it should be. They do not score as many goals as the number of created chances suggests they should, especially when you have strikers like Tevez, Higuain and Aguerro in your squad.

Argentina also is infamous with ball possession in the midfield through multiple passing from one side to another. It could take them 3-4 passes just to get the ball from left to right (or vise versa) without gaining a single yard towards the opponent’s goal.

Unless Maradona has a magical stick and he knows how to use it, I would be surprised if they avoided a defeat here. Goals on both sides are a certainty.

Picks:

Germany win
Over 2.5 goals

France V Spain Preview

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:36:35 +0000

Although this a friendly, and you can never be sure enough on those, I am almost certain Spain will win here and avenge their defeat in the last world cup.

It seems to me that Domenech’s side is going from bad to worse all the time, and that the manager has nothing more to offer on the tactical side.

Yes, France does have quite a few individual skill such as Ribery, Anelka, Benzema, Nasri.. etc, but that’s all there is really. They pay individually and rely on their own, but it’s hardly their fault when they’ve not been assigned tactical roles or given specific instructions. It’s as if Domenech is watching just like the rest of us, only from a better positioned seat closer to the pitch.

Spain are the Euro 2009 Champions, and there’s no denying they are one of the strongest squads in the globe at this time, and one with most complete strength in all areas.

However, Spain are not my favourite candidate for a WC trophy. They’re just not that kind of team that can go all the way, and I suspect their winning of the Euro 2008 title was a one off. I’ll only believe it when I see it, as Spain are most notorious of the flatter-to-deceive attitude in major competitions.

Anyways, this is not a WC fixture, so the Spaniards are justified favourites here, and Torres did mention his personal wish to beat France in particular, and I think he speaks for the rest of his teammates, and with del Bosque as manager you would expect them to have a good plan.

Finally, due to multiple injuries, France is using a fairly experimental side on this on. The likes of Benzema, Gallas, Abidal, Squillaci, Gignac and Saha won’t be making it, and Ribery is likely to play a little time, so inexperienced faces may show up, such as Cissokho, Cheyrou, Ciani and Rami.

Now unless Henry does it again (handle the ball) I don’t see how France is going to break the Spanish defense, while the Spaniards have every chance in the world to break the French defense with their offensive options.

Picks:

Spain win
Under 2.5 goals

England V Egypt Preview

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:22:50 +0000

Both sides are using the game to try out a couple of new formations and maybe a player or two, but while England are merely preparing for the World Cup, Egypt have a higher motive to prove they would have been worthy of a place in the WC finals if it wasn’t for some ‘unfortunate circumstances’ according to their claims.

Both teams are also short of defenders. England will have to be without an experienced left back, and even at the centre back position Rio Ferdinand is not yet at his best.

Egypt are without El Sakka (who plays in Turkey and got himself injured at the weekend) and Fat’halla (who plays for Zamalek and had to be replaced last midweek and received stitches in his face).

With Zaki rejoining the team though I’m not sure if it’s good or bad for the harmony of the squad that had just won the African Cup of Nations in Angola a month or so ago.

The midfield battle also could be an interesting one for those who prefer tactics over an entertainment display. There’s no denying the midfield on both sides is their most valuable asset, and both sets of players will strive to prevail in that area and thus control the game.

England’s most notable striker, Wayne Rooney is bound to be man-marked by non-other than Wael Gomaa, the best centre back in Africa, while Egypt’s most dangerous man could be once again Dortmund’s Mohammad Zidan, who does not score much but is an excellent provider for his teammates.

The game could mark the return of Abu Treika who missed African Nations completely, while Geddo (top scorer in CAN) will once again start on the bench to be used later on.

Capello is aware of the strength of the Egyptian side, but questions have been raised about using this game to prepare for Algeria in the World Cup, for the two (Egypt and Algeria) play very different styles of the game.

Finally, the Egyptians say they are using the game also to celebrate their African triumph for a 3rd successive time. This ‘could’ backfire if the players revert to show off their skill and ‘enjoy themselves’ rather than play for a result.

Seeing as the Egyptians excel against top sides that play real football, and only suffer against the smaller sides that either put 10 men behind the ball or play a dull version of the game, this game would certainly see some goals and will most probably be a tight one.

Picks:

Egypt +1.25 A.H
Over 2.5 goals