Euro 2008 Qualifiers: 7th Oct

[kompressaur]

Saturday, October 07, 2006
EURO 2008 - Qualifiers, Europe
12:00 PM Bulgaria 6.50 X 3.60 Holland 1.50
12:00 PM Croatia 1.02 X 10.00 Andorra 41.00
12:00 PM Cyprus 7.00 X 3.75 Republic of Ireland 1.45
12:00 PM Czech Republic 1.01 X 11.00 San Marino 51.00
12:00 PM Greece 1.90 X 3.10 Norway 4.00
12:00 PM Hungary 3.10 X 3.20 Turkey 2.15
12:00 PM Italy 1.45 X 3.75 Ukraine 7.00
12:00 PM Moldavia 2.85 X 3.00 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2.40
12:00 PM Portugal 1.05 X 9.00 Azerbaijan 26.00
12:00 PM Romania 1.35 X 4.00 Belarus 9.00
12:00 PM Russia 1.55 X 3.50 Israel 5.75
12:00 PM Serbia 1.65 X 3.40 Belgium 5.00
12:00 PM Slovenia 1.10 X 7.00 Luxembourg 21.00
12:00 PM Wales 2.40 X 3.10 Slovakia 2.75
1:00 PM Kazakhstan 7.00 X 3.75 Poland 1.45
2:00 PM Faroe Islands 9.00 X 4.50 Lithuania 1.30
6:00 PM Armenia 5.75 X 3.55 Finland 1.55
6:00 PM England 1.05 X 9.00 FYR Macedonia 26.00
6:00 PM Scotland 4.60 X 3.20 France 1.75
7:30 PM Sweden 2.70 X 3.20 Spain 2.40
8:00 PM Denmark 1.20 X 5.50 N. Ireland 12.00
8:00 PM Latvia 2.35 X 3.20 Iceland 2.75
odds from betandwin

[kompressaur]

Im looking at maybe Noway and Ukraine getting draws in their respective games and maybe the unders too. Israel are always good for a draw but a draw really eont do Russia.

Bah i remember last time France went to Scotland and we all thought we could get something from the game and got hammered 5-0 i think.

[Beanie]

That match was in France Komp(a friendly), and I don't think anyone thought we would get something from that game.

Nevertheless, France do look a bit long here...but bringing myself to bet on them is another matter entirely.

[kompressaur]

right then folks time to get started for the weekend i believe

[cakes]

fancy scotland and ukraine to both draw with france and italy

[MickeyPaul]

I don't think Scotland's defence is up to the job of keeping France out - much as I hate saying it. We always look incredibly vulnerable at the back to me although we do look better going forward these days. Having said that, Kenny Miller is out and I think McFadden is a doubt? They're the ones bagging all the goals in recent times so, ehhhm, things not looking great on paper. If France are in the mood they really shouldn't have much trouble winning this even if Scotland get stuck in and fight for 90 minutes. Scotland are capable of the odd surprise against the top teams but I just aint convinced this time.

I see Bet365 have Asian handicap: France -0.5, -1 @ 1.90..... oooh, I aint sure. Handicap result: France -1 @ 3.00.... I dunno.

Gamebookers have France to win to nil @ 2.60 - possible.

I might have a little on the straight France victory although I'll wait till I have an idea of what team Scotland will be putting out.

[Beanie]

Scotland team should be fairly straightforward Mick - I'd like to see us be a little adventurous rather than try to do the impossible and shut France down, but I think Wattie will go for a fairly cautious 4-5-1 for this one.

The media are crowing on about our 'growing injury list' but McNaughton and Anderson weren't going to play and Quashie we can do without as the midfield is looking ok as it is.

So I'll suggest...Gordon in goal, Pressley and Weir(if fit) at CB, probably Naysmith and Alexander at LB and RB just cos they have experience and they are their natural positions. Midfield 5 of Fletcher, Hartley, Ferguson, Dailly(just infront of the back 4) and McFadden down the right if fit, with Miller on his lonesome up front.

All that said, as I mentioned earlier France look the value here, but I won't be backing them.

[MickeyPaul]

Miller is banned though is he not? And Weir and Pressley.... oh my. I think even I would run rings around those two. I aint kidding. I think Russell Anderson is a terrific defender btw - just thought I'd say that. If he was in I'd actually be a bit more comfortable. But he won't be so I aint. That defence of ours is just waiting to be torn apart and Dailly aint going to help.

[Mr Chips]

I agree with your comments. I am heading to Hampden on Saturday but cant see us winning if we have Weir and Pressley in defence. I am also not that convinced by Caldwell although he has played better recently. France at 4/6ish seems like a good bet and Id be tempted to double them with Italy. The Ukraine manager is talking about how its been hard to lift players after world cup and the poor domestic and Europena form his players have shown.

[Beanie]

Oops - forgot about Miller - has to be Boyd then really, with O Connor replacing him during the second half.

Anderson is decent but I don't see Wattie throwing him in even if he was fit - Pressley is one of the first names down at the mo and Weir is one of the managers favourites - not a mobile back pairing and I agree it looks vulnerable. I won't have a bad word said against Dailly tho - the man is a Scotland hero and if he has to shackle Henry then by jingo he'll find a way

[Mr Chips]

Dailly and Weir havent been regular starters for their clubs and that is where my concerns lies against this French side who will have way more posession than Scotland in this. I dont think he'll play Anderson either, he should, but he wont which is dissapoitning. Seemingly Russel has been taking pain killing injections so cant see him starting.

I may cause some debate here by suggestion Ferguson coming back into a midfield that has been performing well without him will obviously happen but maybe not something id suggest

[Paulius]

Italy is stronger than Ukraine, also full of motivation so 1,46 (at local) is very good for combo I think.

[slick]

I don't think the England game is as clear cut as the odds make out.
England should win the game on paper but they have not really impressed in a competitive match for a long while now and Macedonia twice now in the last couple of yrs have given us a run for our money.

England are still lacking up front and with a dodgey keeper to boot i wouldent at all be surprised to see Macedonia grab another draw on these shores.

[MickeyPaul]

I say this all the time Slick - England aaaaalways grind out a result. They just do. It might be close, it might be nervy, but they just always get these results. Never fails. Couple of goals victory, at least. I'm away to have a look at the betting actually.

[ONEDUNME]

I've backed Wales at 6/4. I'd love to give you all a detailed analysis of why but I fear that it's probably because down to the fact that I'm a stupid bastard