We have another round of World Cup qualifiers this week starting today with some interesting matches on the road to Qatar next year.
20:45 – Slovakia v Russia
Slovakia will play host to Group H leaders Russia at the Anton Malinski Stadium in both teams’ third game of the qualifiers. Both teams are unbeaten with Slovakia drawing their first 2 games with Russia winning both of their games. The 2018 World Cup hosts will be looking to keep up this momentum if they are to book their place in Qatar while on the other hand, Slovakia have some ground to make up as they sit in 4th place in the group. Slovakia will bring in Jakub Holibek to deputise for the injured David Hacko. Russia midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk is in line to be handed a recall due to Aleksandr Golovin’s early withdrawal versus Slovenia
I expect this to be a tight game since both teams have not looked convincing in the previous games but Russia will end up winning this match.
20:45 – Wales v Czech Republic
Wales come into this game sitting in 4th place while the Czech Republic sit on top of Group E having played a game more. This is already a huge game for Wales and will feel that a win is necessary in this game to avoid the Czech Republic going 7 points clear. The Dragons lost to Belgium in their previous games while the Czechs thrashed Estonia 6-2 and also drew to Belgium. Wales will be without Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts after they were released from the squad for breaching protocols, they’ll also be without key midfielders in Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey through injury. Czech Republic centre-back Ondrej Kudela has travelled to Cardiff despite earlier reports that he may be left out due to security concerns.
This is a big game in the context of Group E and I also expect it to be a tight affair but with Wales missing some key players, I expect the Czechs to stretch their lead over Wales to 7 points
20:45 – Luxembourg v Portugal
Second place takes on third place as Portugal looks to bounce back after a disappointing result against Serbia while Luxembourg will be looking to cause a huge upset today. Portugal dropped two points in a highly controversial 2-2 draw with Serbia on Saturday night, Cristiano Ronaldo
thought he had won it for his side in the dying minutes of the match, but Stefan Mitrovic somehow managed to clear his effort off the line before stopping Bernardo Silva’s follow-up, although Ronaldo was incensed at the linesman as he felt that the ball had indeed crossed the line. Luxembourg have no need to fix what is not broken, and it would be harsh for Holtz to drop any member of the team who started and starred against Ireland at the weekend while Portugal will be without Bruno Fernandes through suspension. Portugal will certainly shuffle the pack once again given the hectic schedule and disappointing result last time out, so Nuno Mendes, Domingos Duarte and Joao Felix are all in contention to start.
Portugal will be hoping for a convincing win and performance in this game and I back them to put their frustrations from Saturday’s game behind them and win this game comfortably