Internationals / Editor / 22 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

Scotland v Georgia, Group B, Saturday 15.00

Alex McLeish's first game in charge as Scotland boss is something of a must-win game. The Scots currently lead a tight Group B and will want to travel to Italy on Wednesday with three points from the visit of second-from-bottom Georgia. Scotland trade at 5.8 to qualify from this group and reach their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

After three straight wins - including one against France - the Tartan Army slipped up last time, going down to a 2-0 defeat in Ukraine. Like Scotland, Georgia opened their campaign with a 6-0 win over the Faroe Islands, but have lost their three matches since then. They are available at 8.2 to derail Scotland's qualification bid with a win.

McLeish knows all about the visitors' main threat, former Rangers striker Shota Arveladze. The 34 year old spent four prolific years at Ibrox and still leads Georgia's line to great effect - he has four goals in his last three appearances and is bound to appeal in the goalscoring markets.

Scotland have recently risen to 16th in the world rankings, despite not playing since October. They were in 62nd spot last year and the new manager will want to maintain Walter Smith's good work with a win against a team who have lost 17 of their last 20 away games. A home win is currently on offer at 1.52 with 4.4 the draw.

Scotland are without the injured Nigel Quashie and suspended Steven Pressley, but can call on Gary Caldwell, the goal hero against France, after a four month injury lay-off. Shaun Maloney and Craig Beattie return to boost their attacking options.

Czech Republic v Germany, Group D, Saturday 19.45

Two of Europe's big guns meet in this top-of-the-table clash. Both sides have 10 points from four matches and will want to get their campaigns back on track after draws away from home in their last fixtures. Germany trade at 1.62 to win this group with the Czechs available at 2.94 to advance to the finals as group winners.

The Czechs have bounced back well after a dismal World Cup performance that saw them go home after the group stage. They kicked off their qualifying campaign with three straight wins, scoring 12 times and conceding just once. They beat Germany 2-1 in their last meeting, at the Euro 2004 finals, and are available at 11 to repeat that scoreline.

Joachim Löw's men have been even more impressive so far, easing past both Ireland and Slovakia and inflicting a record breaking 13-0 hammering on San Marino. They also drew 1-1 in their last game, in Cyprus.

Germany are the current favourites to win the whole tournament, trading at 7.6. They are available at 3.15 to win this clash against their neighbours, with the home win trading at 2.56 and 3.3 the draw.

Löw will be without the suspended Miroslav Klose and Clemens Fritz, whilst Bastien Schweinsteiger, Torsten Frings and Christoph Metzelder are all injury doubts. Czech boss Karel Brückner has a full strength squad at his disposal.

Republic of Ireland v Wales, Group D, Saturday 15.00

The first football match at Croke Park might spell the end of one of these teams' hopes of qualification. Both have had stuttering starts to their campaigns, Ireland claiming seven points from five matches and Wales three from three. They trade at 11 and 8.6 respectively in the group's qualification market.

The Irish have been particularly disappointing, opening with lacklustre defeats in Germany and Cyprus. A better performance brought a draw with the Czechs, but unconvincing displays against group whipping boys San Marino have piled more pressure on boss Steve Staunton.

Ireland needed a stoppage-time winner to beat the tiny principality last time out and anything other than three points against the Welsh will probably end their hopes of reaching their first European Championships since 1988. A home win is available at 1.82.

John Toshack has also felt the heat since taking the Welsh hotseat, especially after the 5-1 home defeat to Slovakia in October. They fared better in their next Millennium Stadium clash, overcoming Cyprus, but they do not traditionally travel well - they have won just three of their last 11 away assignments in qualification for the major tournaments. An away win trades at 5.5 with 3.6 the draw.

Wales are without the suspended Jason Koumas and injured Danny Gabbidon, but welcome back James Collins and Carl Robinson. Reserve keeper Wayne Henderson and new face Caleb Folan have been forced out with injuries, but Shay Given, Stephen Hunt and Stephen Ireland all return.

Israel v England, Group E, Saturday 18.30

Steve McClaren is under as much pressure as anyone ahead of his team's tricky trip to Israel. Despite trading at 9.2 to win next year's tournament, England face a tough task to even qualify. A defeat in Croatia and goalless draw against Macedonia has left them in third place, behind Croatia and Russia, who they still have to play twice.

Punters must expect England's revival to start sooner rather than later, as they trade at 2.82 to win the group. Israel, like Macedonia and England, have seven points so far and are available at 5.4 to reach their first major tournament finals since the 1970 World Cup.

England have been short of goals recently, drawing blanks in their last three outings. Israel lost by the odd goal in a seven-goal thriller against Croatia last time out and trade at 4 to keep a clean sheet in his one.

England lost one match in 18 in qualifying for the last two major tournaments and trade at 1.87 to claim the three points in this one. Israel have lost just two of their last 15 home matches and are available at 5.2 to win this clash. The draw is currently on offer at 3.55.

Bolton Wanderers' Idan Tal is absent through suspension, as is key striker Robert Colautti. Yaniv Katan has withdrawn from Dror Kashtan's squad with a cracked rib. The visitors have defensive problems, with Gary Neville, Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge all missing.

Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville are likely to fill the full-back positions, with Luke Young and Gareth Barry in reserve. England will look to Andrew Johnson and Aaron Lennon, who are both in line to make their first competitive starts, for their attacking spark.