Football Picks

Welcome to the Football Picks for the international fixtures to be played on the 12/Oct/12.

Wales v Scotland (KO 19:45)
Wales come into this game bottom of the group after two defeats and off the back of their worst result since beaten by Holland 7-1 in 1996. It's very hard to take any real positives from there two games to date, against Belgium they were technically outplayed for the majority of the game albeit they played with 10 men for over an hour after James Collins' straight red but it did take two set piece goals from the Belgians to win the match. What can you say about the performance in the 6-1 defeat to Serbia! Error prone sums it up I think particularly from a back four perspective.
The Scots have drawn both of their games to date in the group a 0-0 draw with Wales' conquerors Serbia followed by a hard earned 1-1 stalemate against Macedonia. In both games Scotland's biggest problem seemed to be creating enough clear cut goalscoring chances, but with the recall of the in form Steven Fletcher the manager will be hoping any chance that is created will fall to him.
Verdict: Scotland seem to have a better balanced team particularly at the back and with this being a must win game for them if they have a chance to qualify for the World Cup I think they will win.
I also think with Wales' struggles against set pieces it might be worth backing Christophe Berra (make sure he's starting before placing bet) to score during the match.
Bet: Scotland Win (Best Priced 17/10).   Anytime Goalscorer - Christophe Berra (Best Priced 16/1).



Republic of Ireland v Germany (KO 19:45)
This is a big game for Ireland maybe not in terms of the result but definitely in terms of the manner of the performance they give. After a disastrous Euro 2012 campaign where they were out thought, outfought and outplayed in all three games, they started there World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 away win at Kazakhstan. The performance that day was as bad as anything they conjured up in the Euro's (Ireland scored twice in the last five minutes to snatch an uninspiring win). Tactically it looks like Trapattoni is going to play Robbie Keane as a lone front man against the Germans and presumably just play long ball from the back. If this is the case although I have my doubts (I don't think Keane will play) then Ireland will be beaten just as emphatically as they were at the Euro's. I believe Trapattoni needs to remember a certain game in Paris three years ago when the shackles of his tactics were taken off and Ireland produced their best performance since pre Saipan and beat France 1-0 in normal time (Ireland lost in extra time to Thierry Henry's infamous handball). Trap needs to trust his midfielders more and let them try to play there way out from the back and link up with whoever plays up front with little give and go passes. Alas I don't see Trapattoni changing his tactics this far into his tenure as manager of Ireland, he just doesn't think Ireland can beat technically good teams by trying to play there way through them and still be able to protect the back four.
As for the Germans they arrive in Dublin with full points from two games although in their game with Austria which they won 2-1 they were far from impressive and the Austrians were very unlucky to lose. Maybe that was a hangover from the disappointment of the Euro's and we'll see the real quality they have on Friday night. Although in saying that Germany probably won't need to be anywhere their best to win this game.
Verdict: When you look at the two squads picked for this weekend's game in particular the difference in the number of individuals who could turn the game all on their own its very hard to see Germany not winning no matter how they play. They can call on Ozil, Schurrle, Podolski, Muller, Kroos, Gotze and Reus who can all change a game with one piece of magic while the Irish have recently played like a team where inventiveness and imagination are banned!
Bet: Germany -1 (Best Priced 13/10).
      

Turkey v Romania (KO 18:30)
An important game for both teams as they are the two most likely to do battle for the runner up position to Holland in the group. The Turks had a convincing 3-0 home win against Estonia in their most recount outing coming off the back of a 2-0 away loss to the Dutch where they more than held their own. As for the Romanians, they have maximum points after two games consisting of a hard earned 2-0 away win at Estonia and a easy 4-0 home win against perennial whipping boys Andorra.
Verdict: I expect this to be a tight game with a goal either way deciding it, however if you look at the bookie's pricing of this game then it should be a comfortable win for Turkey. It's for this reason that I can't but back Romania at the price they are.
Bet: Romania Win (Best Priced 4/1). Romania +1 (Best Priced 6/5).