Tough away tests for boys in blue; Spain in a must-win situation

The Republic of Ireland's showdown with France and Spain's meeting with Serbia and Montenegro are firmly in the spotlight as the latest round of European qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany approaches.

No fewer than 24 games will take place across the continent in all, but the Netherlands and Portugal can guarantee themselves a ticket to next summer's finals providing they come home from Russia with a positive result and their rivals slip up.

In Group 1, Karel Bruckner's Czech Republic side will be desperate to reclaim second place following their surprise 2-0 defeat in Romania. Marco van Basten's pacesetters now hold a four-point lead and will secure their finals place if they beat visitors Andorra and the Czechs lose to Armenia. That, of course, is unlikely with the Czechs looking to accumulate as many points as possible in the hope of qualifying directly as one of the two best second-placed teams.

Comfortably ahead of the rest in Group 3 with a five-point advantage, Portugal can ensure their qualification if they win in Russia and Slovakia fail to take three points from their trip to Latvia.

In Group 4, anything is still possible with three teams on 13 points (Switzerland, Republic of Ireland and France) and Israel right behind on 12. France's hopes of going through have been raised by the recent return of Zinedine Zidane and they will need all his guile on their trip to Dublin.

In Group 6, England have another derby match to negotiate as they take on Northern Ireland in Belfast. Their opponents are sure to relish the occasion and will have been encouraged not only by England's laboured 1-0 victory over Wales but their own success against Azerbaijan - their first competitive win for four years. For their part, England are obliged to win if they wish to stay within two points of a Poland side who play host to the Welsh.

Despite the late kick-off, the atmosphere is sure to be electric at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, where Luis Aragones's men need an inspired performance at home to Serbia and Montenegro. The visitors jumped two points clear at the top of Group 7 with a 2-0 win over Lithuania in their last outing, leaving Spain desperate for victory over the side they held to a 0-0 draw in Belgrade in their first encounter.

World Cup betiing game odds: Bodog Sportsbook

World Cup Qualifiers Propositions:

France EVEN

vs Rep. of Ireland +220

DRAW +210

Spain -230

vs Serbia & Montenegro +570

DRAW +265

England -833

vs Northern Ireland +1400

DRAW +510

PREDICTION: France, Spain and England will all prevail and gain valuable World Cup qualifying points.

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