Six games remain to decide the teams that will be going to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. At the SoccerBible we've decided who we think will qualify for the World Cup, but we want to know which teams YOU think will be playing in South Africa next summer...
Preview: Republic of Ireland travel to France knowing that only a victory will keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. A deflected 72nd minute Nicolas Anelka strike is all that separates the two teams from the play-off first-leg at Croke Park on Saturday. And the game will have some added spice after a bad-tempered first clash threatened to spill over as the players left the field, with Keith Andrews reacting to an alleged comment made by Lassana Diarra.
|
Key Player: Robbie Keane
The Republic of Ireland will be looking to their captain Robbie Keane to lead from the front. And if Keane can poach a goal wearing Nike T90 Laser II football boots, even against the run of play, it could really turn this tie on its head and will make for a very interesting game.
|
|
SoccerBible's Prediction: France have got too many quality and experienced players who will to rise to the big occasion, unlucky for Ireland as they've had a great qualifying campaign.
We want to know your prediction, who do you think will qualify for the World Cup?
Preview: Bosnia-Herzegovina will be looking to overturn a first leg deficit during the second leg of their World Cup play-off against Portugal. Portugal have a slender lead after a solitary goal from Bruno Alves during Saturday's first meeting in Lisbon. Bosnia, though, have shown throughout the qualifying campaign that they have enough attacking enterprise, and they are more than capable of turning the tie on its head.
|
Key Player: Simao
With Misimovic and Dzeko playing, Bosnia-Herzegovina have quite a potent attacking force, and as Portugal weren't convincing in the first leg they could be reliant on the set pieces of Simao. Simao will be playing in the new adidas Predator X football boots, and one well struck free-kick could prove crucial.
|
|
SoccerBible's Prediction: Bosnia-Herzegovina are more than capable of pulling off a shock, and we think they will do. As a team they work hard, they've got some great individuals and have home advantage. Sorry Cristiano but it'll be a summer off for you.
We want to know your prediction, who do you think will qualify for the World Cup?
Preview: Costa Rica have a very difficult task ahead of them, if they are to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. After losing the first leg of their qualifying play-off 1-0 to Uruguay, in front of their home fans at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica need a victory but they've only won one of their last five away fixtures.
|
Key Player: Diego Forlan
Forlan is Uruguay's top goalscorer in the qualifying campaign with seven goals, and there is certainly no denying the adidas F50i football boots he wears compliment his game. Forlan has become a prolific goalscorer, and an early goal could be enough to kill off the Costa Ricans.
|
|
SoccerBible's Prediction: Uruguay hold a one goal lead, have the home advantage and proven goalscorer. Unfortunately for Costa Rica there can only be one winner.
We want to know your prediction, who do you think will qualify for the World Cup?
Preview: Honours are even between Ukraine and Greece as they head into their World Cup play-off second leg. The first leg was a goalless draw in Athens, and so the fate of both sides hangs in the balance, but Ukraine hold the psychological advantage after beating Greece in a 2006 play-off to reach the World Cup finals in Germany.
|
Key Player : Andrei Shevchenko
Shevchenko has had a long and distinguished career, and one final appearance at next year's World Cup would be a great achievement. Shevchenko has been a goalscorer throughout his career, and wearing Reebok Valde Pro football boots, he will be looking to break the deadline and guide his Ukrainian side to victory.
|
|
SoccerBible's Prediction: Probably the closest game to call of the remaining qualifiers. But Ukraine have a strong midfield, an experienced striker and they know they are capable of beating Greece on their home ground.
We want to know your prediction, who do you think will qualify for the World Cup?
Preview: Twenty years ago Egyptians took to the streets to celebrate their qualification for the FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 win over Algeria in Cairo. And after being crowned African champions twice in a row, the Egyptians will be confident that history will repeat itself in the play-off match between the pair in Sudan.
|
Key Player: Karim Ziani
Ziani is Algeria's top goalscorer in the qualifying campaign, and he's a pacey player wearing the new Puma v1.10 football boots. This is a one-off game, and an early goal or a creative spark from Ziani could be enough to give Algeria the momentum.
|
|
SoccerBible's Prediction: Egypt hold the psychological edge going into this game, as they only defeated Algeria four days ago. It'll be a brave attempt from Algeria, but Egypt should be victorious.
We want to know your prediction, who do you think will qualify for the World Cup?
Preview: Slovenia and Russia clash in their crucial World Cup Qualifier in Maribor with the tie closely poised. Russia look favourites to book their place in South Africa after Everton midfielder Diniyor Bilyaletdinov scored twice in Moscow on Saturday. But, how crucial could Slovenia's away goal in the dying minutes prove, leaving the score at 2-1 going into the second leg. Plus Slovenia have proven successful in play-off ties, after defeating the Ukraine to reach Euro 2000 and Romania to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Key Player : Andrei Arshavin
It was playing for the Russian national team that gave Andrei Arshavin global recognition, and if he's able to inspire his side he could be hitting the headlines once again. Arshavin is a fast and tricky player, wearing Nike Vapor Superfly football boots he links the midfield to attack, is capable of going on a match winning run.
|
|
SoccerBible's Prediction: Guus Hiddink gets the best out of his players, and can fire them up for a big match, so Russia should finish the job.
WE'VE PREDICTED FRANCE, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, URUGUAY, UKRAINE, EGYPT AND RUSSIA WILL WIN THEIR QUALIFYING PLAY-OFFS FOR THE WORLD CUP. WHICH TEAMS DO YOU THINK WILL QUALIFY FOR SOUTH AFRICA?