Ramsey’s Wales return, Yiadom’s controversial Ghana inclusion, Southgate and Strachan heading in opposite directions and a fairytale comeback for Falcao
1) Southgate and Strachan under pressure
Gareth Southgate is at the beginning, Gordon Strachan could be approaching
the end. But both managers are under pressure before Friday night’s
qualifier at Wembley. While Southgate has shown that he is not afraid to
make big calls, dropping Wayne Rooney for the fortunate goalless draw in
Slovenia, England’s caretaker oversaw underwhelming performances in his
first two matches and would not be seen as an inspiring permanent appointment
if his team fails to convince against Scotland. The return of Harry Kane
and Raheem Sterling should enhance England’s threat, however, and it is
Strachan who has bigger problems. Robert Snodgrass has been in fine form
for Hull City and the jinking winger could give England’s defence plenty to
think about, yet Strachan’s stock is perilously low after last month’s
defeat to Slovakia and defeat in this match would surely be the final straw. JS
the end. But both managers are under pressure before Friday night’s
qualifier at Wembley. While Southgate has shown that he is not afraid to
make big calls, dropping Wayne Rooney for the fortunate goalless draw in
Slovenia, England’s caretaker oversaw underwhelming performances in his
first two matches and would not be seen as an inspiring permanent appointment
if his team fails to convince against Scotland. The return of Harry Kane
and Raheem Sterling should enhance England’s threat, however, and it is
Strachan who has bigger problems. Robert Snodgrass has been in fine form
for Hull City and the jinking winger could give England’s defence plenty to
think about, yet Strachan’s stock is perilously low after last month’s
defeat to Slovakia and defeat in this match would surely be the final straw. JS
2) Ramsey’s return a welcome boost for Wales
A little bit of the air escaped the Welsh balloon after last month’s home
draw with Georgia, a result that leaves the Euro 2016 semi-finalists
slightly off the pace in Group D. Gareth Bale gave them the lead, because
scoring in every game is what he does now, but Georgia fought back to claim
a point and could have departed with all three. The way the visitors cut
through the Welsh midfield was a concern for Chris Coleman. The manager
will be relieved to have Aaron Ramsey available again, though. While Bale
is the gamechanger, Ramsey is so often the driving force for Wales. Along
with Joe Allen, who has flourished for Stoke, the Arsenal midfielder can
help Wales dominate against Serbia on Friday night. JS
draw with Georgia, a result that leaves the Euro 2016 semi-finalists
slightly off the pace in Group D. Gareth Bale gave them the lead, because
scoring in every game is what he does now, but Georgia fought back to claim
a point and could have departed with all three. The way the visitors cut
through the Welsh midfield was a concern for Chris Coleman. The manager
will be relieved to have Aaron Ramsey available again, though. While Bale
is the gamechanger, Ramsey is so often the driving force for Wales. Along
with Joe Allen, who has flourished for Stoke, the Arsenal midfielder can
help Wales dominate against Serbia on Friday night. JS
3) Argentina relying on Messi again but watch out for Neymar
Having inspired Barcelona to victory against Sevilla, the next task on Leo
Messi’s list is to work his magic for Argentina. They badly missed him when
he was injured last month, sliding into sixth place in South American
qualifying after drawing in Peru and losing at home to Paraguay. The defeat
to Paraguay was laced with farce, generous finishing and a penalty miss
from Sergio Agüero turning up the heat on Argentina before Thursday night’s match against Brazil. Messi’s return to fitness has lifted Argentinian spirits. The best player in the world could beat Brazil on his own if he is in the mood. One potential problem with that theory, however, is that Neymar could do the same to Argentina. Messi’s Barcelona team-mate has been in excellent goalscoring form for Brazil and is one goal away from his 50th for his country. JS
Messi’s list is to work his magic for Argentina. They badly missed him when
he was injured last month, sliding into sixth place in South American
qualifying after drawing in Peru and losing at home to Paraguay. The defeat
to Paraguay was laced with farce, generous finishing and a penalty miss
from Sergio Agüero turning up the heat on Argentina before Thursday night’s match against Brazil. Messi’s return to fitness has lifted Argentinian spirits. The best player in the world could beat Brazil on his own if he is in the mood. One potential problem with that theory, however, is that Neymar could do the same to Argentina. Messi’s Barcelona team-mate has been in excellent goalscoring form for Brazil and is one goal away from his 50th for his country. JS
4) Griezmann and Gameiro should get nod for France
Kevin Gameiro ridiculed his five-year absence from the France team by
making a decisive return last month, scoring twice against Bulgaria and
immediately showing a thrillingly sharp understanding with Antoine
Griezmann. France followed that up with a 1-0 win in Holland and on Friday
they could take sole lead of Group A by winning at home to Sweden, with whom they are currently level at the top with an identical points tally and
goal difference after three games. Sweden have been weakened by injuries
both in defence and attack, as their first-choice full-backs, Martin Olsson
and Mikael Lustig, will be missing and so will the striker Marcus Berg. Olivier
Giroud is fit enough to return to the French squad but Didier Deschamps
need look no further than Griezmann and Gameiro for his starting attack. PD
making a decisive return last month, scoring twice against Bulgaria and
immediately showing a thrillingly sharp understanding with Antoine
Griezmann. France followed that up with a 1-0 win in Holland and on Friday
they could take sole lead of Group A by winning at home to Sweden, with whom they are currently level at the top with an identical points tally and
goal difference after three games. Sweden have been weakened by injuries
both in defence and attack, as their first-choice full-backs, Martin Olsson
and Mikael Lustig, will be missing and so will the striker Marcus Berg. Olivier
Giroud is fit enough to return to the French squad but Didier Deschamps
need look no further than Griezmann and Gameiro for his starting attack. PD
5) Republic of Ireland’s Austria test sure to intrigue
Although he occasionally lapses into negativity, Martin O’Neill’s main contribution to the Republic of Ireland has been to instil a belief that they can get results anywhere, against anyone, somehow. His team are not often fluent and not often solid, yet they are devilishly hard to beat and can sometimes force a win when needed. Predictions for their game against Austria on Saturday have to be as uncertain as the predictions of all their big games in recent years because Ireland could be trounced, especially given the slew of injuries, or they could keep themselves very much in the qualification hunt thanks to their spirit and flashes of class from the likes of Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Wes Hoolahan and maybe also two newcomers, Harry Arter, who should make his competitive debut in Vienna, and Daryl Horgan, the Dundalk winger who has the ability to make a big impact on his first appearance for his country, whether from the start or off the bench. PD
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