World Cup qualification takes over from the domestic game in Britain this weekend as the home nations continue their quest to be in South Africa in 2010. I am in Scotland acclimatising before the important first home match against Norway tomorrow. Scotland's hopes of qualifying for a finals for the first time since France '98 look likely to depend on finishing second behind the Dutch and then hoping for victory in the play-offs. A tall ask as far as I am concerned and we will need to better Norway if we are to do it. Tomorrow's match, therefore, assumes more significance that would appear for only the third game.
The sides are fairly evenly matched but Scotland will need to manage the threat from Iversen and Carew. We will also need to be patient and hope for some inspiration from some of the replacement players - talisman Kenny Miller and midfield lungs Barry Ferguson are out. A draw would be a good result for Norway with the home game against us to come next year so I can see it being a very hard game and we will need to concentrate throughout. I hate to be a pessimist but I can see Norway getting a draw.
Kazakhstan will present no such obstacle for England and will be lucky to hang onto the draw for more than 20 minutes.
Wales play "pub team" (Mick McCarthy's words) Liechtenstein and will win as easily as England.
Northern Ireland face an awkward trip to Slovenia where a draw looks the best they can hope for.
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