World Cup Qualifers 2012 - 16th October 2012

Croatia (3/10) v Wales (11)

Wales were arguably very lucky to comeback from behind against Scotland and may be brought back down to earth against Croatia, who were one of the starts of the Euros and have made an impressive start to qualifying, taking 7 points from three games including a 1-1 draw with Belgium. There’s little value in the home side, but Over 2.5 goals is far too big at around 4/5 considering the attacking talent in the side.

Advice: 4 pts Over 2.5 goals (4/5 general)

Faroe Islands (9) v Republic Of Ireland (2/5)

This is expected to be an easy three points for Ireland but the Faroes’ aren’t the joke that they used to be and pushed Sweden all the way here last time. Ireland were never going to threaten Germany but they looked poor to say the least against Kazakhstan and might not thrash the Islanders as expected.

Advice: 2 pts Faroe Islands+1.5 (8/11 Bet Victor)

Romania (7/2) v Holland (4/5)

Holland had an awful Euros but they were in a group with 2 semi-finalists and they’ve been extremely impressive for a side that have had such pronounced problems in their first three games. Romania’s win over Turkey takes their remarkable start to 3-3, but Holland are a step up from even them.

Advice: 2 pts Holland (4/5 general)

Belgium (2/5) v Scotland (10)

After a wrongly disallowed goal and a very poor penalty decision, Scotland can feel aggrieved not to have beaten Wales but that loss instead has all but ended their World Cup hopes and Belgium, who were superb in a 3-0 win at Serbia on Friday, should be far too good for Levin’s men here. Belgium have led at the break in three of their last 6 wins, and the same result seems to be a decent bet today.

Advice: 2 pts Belgium/Belgium (evs Ladbrokes)

Germany (2/7) v Sweden (11)

Germany are strolling through their World Cup qualifying campaign, and should have more than enough to beat Sweden , who haven’t entirely convinced in taking two wins from 2. Backing Germany in the HT/FT market has paid out in each of Germany's last three games, and that looks to be the right choice once again for those looking to side with Low’s men.

Advice: 2 pts Germany/Germany (8/11 general)

Poland (7/2) v England (evs)

Despite being unimpressive in most, if not all, of their games during this time, England are unbeaten in their last 15 competitive internationals, although that’s just about the only thing that makes them justified favourites for their trip to Poland. The hosts have the talent to give England trouble, but their finishing let them down during Euro 2012 and they’ve only beaten San Marino and Moldova in their last 12 home matches.

Advice: 1 pt England (evs Stan James)

Spain (4/9) v France (8)

Although it’s arguably the biggest matchup on paper of the entire Championship, this is a matter of how many for Spain, who are re unbeaten 46 qualifiers, home and away. Spain didn’t concede a goal in all but one match of their Euro 2012 campaign, including a dominant victory against a woefully out of tune Les Bleus, and something similar should happen here.

Advice: 2 pts Spain to win to nil (6/5 general)

Portugal (1/9) v Northern Ireland (40)

This is a matter of how many for Portugal, who may have been beaten in Russia but look comfortably superior to the rest of their group, especially Northern Ireland, who failed to find a way past Luxembourg in their last match and were let off the hook easily by Russia. Portgual have scored three or more goals in seven of their last nine home qualifiers, but rather than take the 4/6 on them doing that, the 3-0 win appeals at 11/2.

Advice: 1 pt 3-0 Portugal (11/2 Blue Sq)