Euro 2012:England,Germany Resume Bid

Euro cup 2012:Euro 2012 qualifying action continues on Saturday and most eyes will be eagerly turned to the Battle of Britain in Group G.

Following Austria’s defeat to Belgium on Friday night, both sides are now tied in second place in Group A, which gives Germany the opportunity to increase their comfortable lead at the top of the group standings.
Joachim Low’s men entertain lowly Kazakhstan, who have yet to score a single goal in four qualifiers, and with the result already looking like a foregone conclusion, German fans will be expecting nothing less than a big victory.
Even at this early stage, Germany already look favourites to go through, having won all of their games thus far, scoring thirteen goals and only conceding one.
Kazakhstan coach Miroslav Beranek will be hoping his men can restrict the Germans to a respectable scoreline.
For the neutrals, Group B provides excellent entertainment with Russia currently leading the group on nine points, followed by Ireland, Armenia and Slovakia on seven points.
Armenia have surprised many so far in their qualifying campaign, most notably with their convincing 3-1 victory over Slovakia on October 8.
However, they arguably face their biggest task yet when leaders Russia visit the Hanrapetakan Stadium, hoping to make it three wins on the trot following victories over Ireland and Macedonia.
Basement side Andorra host Slovakia in what should be an easy victory for the 2010 World Cup finalists. Led by the likes of Marek Hamsik, Miroslav Stoch and Robert Vittek, the Slovaks will be looking to boost their goal difference which currently stands at zero.
Macedonia visit Ireland knowing that a win will take them level with their opponents on seven points. However, they know it will be a tricky tie with the Irish looking to the experienced Robbie Keane to fire them to victory.
In Group D action, Bosnia take on Romania with both sides knowing they must win to ignite their hopes of qualifying for the 2012 finals.
Both teams were expected to challenge for the runners-up spot in the group behind France but have been disappointing and now see both Belarus and Albania ahead of them in the standings.
Bosnia will be hoping star striker Edin Dzeko will fare better than his recent outings with Manchester City, where he has yet to score his first league goal since a big money move in the January transfer window.
Albania will have on eye on moving up to second place when they host Belarus, who they will attempt to overtake.
Belarus are the only side left unbeaten in their group, and memorably had an opening round away victory over France.
Albania meanwhile will be hoping to avenge the result of their last match, when Belarus comfortably beat them 2-0.
The first tie of Group H’s triple-header sees Georgia host group leaders Croatia.
Apart from the their 0-0 draw at home with Greece, Croatia have won every game so far, seeing off Latvia, Israel and Malta. With the likes of Vedran Corluka, Luka Modric and Eduardo at their disposal, Croatia enter this tie as huge favourites.
Israel and Malta lock horns at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel-Aviv with both teams stuck on four points.
Both coaches will know that a loss on Saturday night would effectively end their hopes of qualifying for the finals in Poland and Ukraine.
The group’s final game sees bottom-side Malta host second-placed Greece, who will be hoping to keep up the chase on Croatia.
Greece got of to a slow start in their qualifying campaign, drawing their first two matches but have since marched to consecutive victories over Latvia and Israel.
They will be hoping to make it three in a row against Malta, who are bottom with zero points.
The undoubted tie of the round comes with Wales hosting their neighbours England at the Millenium Stadium in Group G.
John Terry will return to the England side as captain in a saga that has been extremely poorly handled by Fabio Capello, failing to personally inform ex-skipper Rio Ferdinand that he was losing his job.
Further attention was initially drawn to the tie due to the outstanding form of Welsh winger Gareth Bale, although it has been confirmed he will miss out through injuries.
While many see an easy win for the English, most of the Wales ply their trade in England and will be very familiar with their opponents. With a strong backing expected at the magnificent Millenium Stadium, do not rule a Welsh upset just yet.
The group’s other tie sees Bulgaria host Switzerland, with both sides currently tied on three points each.
Both sides’ only victory have come at the expense of Wales so far, and with surprise packet Montenegro currently leading the table, the two teams know that only a win will do on Saturday night.
Group H will be abound with Scandinavian galore on Saturday night with Norway, Denmark and Iceland all in action.
Iceland, bottom in the group, travel to Cyprus who will be looking for a win to add to their solitary point so far, earned in an entertaining shock 4-4 draw in their first group game against Portugal, which was only sealed in the 89th minute with a goal from Andreas Avraam.
To add to the excitement of Group G’s Battle of Britain, Group H has its very own Battle of Scandinavia when Denmark travel to Oslo to play Norway.
Norway currently lead the group with three wins from three, although Denmark are still very much in with a chance of qualification, one point behind Portugal in third.
Denmark will be optimistic of key forward Nicklas Bendtner taking the field but with doubts over his fitness, coming up against Norway’s giant defender Brede Hangeland may not seem like a welcome prospect to the Arsenal man.

Saturday’s matches

Group A

Germany vs Kazakhstan

Group B

Armenia vs Russia

Andorra vs Slovakia

Ireland vs Macedonia

Group D

Bosnia vs Romania

Albania vs Belarus

Group F

Georgia vs Croatia

Israel vs Latvia

Malta vs Greece

Group G

Wales vs England

Bulgaria vs Switzerland

Group H

Cyprus vs Ireland

Norway vs Denmark