Africa:
Groups B and E have already been decided with Nigeria and Egypt respectively on the plane to Russia next summer. The remaining groups remain in the balance, some tighter than others.
Group A:
Tunisia currently lead the group by three points from DR Congo. Both Libya and Guinea have long since been eliminated but both will have the final say this Saturday. Tunisia host Libya knowing a draw will be enough to secure qualification while DR Congo need to hope for a shock Libyan victory as well as beating Guinea themselves. It's hard to look past Tunisia sealing this.
Group C:
This group comes down to a straight shootout between group leaders Morocco and second placed Ivory Coast. However the Ivory Coast have home advantage on Saturday with Morocco travelling to Abidjan knowing a point will be enough to seal a first qualification to the finals since 1998. Ivory Coast's last home game was lost to Gabon in September giving Morocco some hope of ending the World cup absence. I think Morocco will get the result they need here.
Group D:
Group D could be decided on Saturday as the rearranged game of South Africa v Senegal takes place. FIFA ordered a replay after the original game was officiated by Joseph Lamptey who has since been banned for life after "unlawfully influencing" the result. Victory for Senegal in Polokwane will seal their qualification while defeat will set up a mighty final day in which any one of the four could qualify. Senegal sit on eight points with two games to play while Burkina Faso and Cape Verde sit on six points with each having one game remaining and South Africa currently bottom on four points but with that Senegal game to play. I've a feeling Senegal will take care of the group on Saturday to qualify unfortunately.
Europe:
It's play-off time in Europe as eight group runners-up go head-to-head for the final four spots on offer for the confederation.
Northern Ireland v Switzerland
Northern Ireland were hoping for Switzerland and Switzerland probably looking at Northern Ireland as ideal opponents. This will be a close run tie I feel and the deciding factor is Switzerland being at home for the second leg. Michael O'Neill has overseen an outstanding turnaround in fortunes in guiding 'Norn Iron' to the last sixteen of the Euros and on the brink of a World cup berth for the first time since 1986. Switzerland will be in for a tough tie but I'm going with Switzerland to edge through this.
Croatia v Greece
Croatia sacked manager Ante Čačić just before a deciding group game against Ukraine in October. The game was won and Croatia qualified for the play-offs. Standing in the way is Greece who have turned their fortunes around from the previous disastrous qualifying campaign for the 2016 Euros. Croatia on paper just have far too much quality I feel to come unstuck against a solid but unremarkable Greek side, when have we heard that before. Croatia to get through.
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| A winner over Wales saw Ireland through to the play-offs source: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile |
Probably the team most people wanted from an Irish perspective. However it's still a very tricky tie truth be told. Denmark have obvious strengths such as the influential Christian Eriksen however the danger of focusing solely on the Tottenham midfielder is the fact that players such as Celta's Sisto, Feyenoord's Nicolai Jørgensen and the defensive duo of Simon Kjær and Andreas Christensen can be threats. Ireland's main strength has been the excellent defensive record maintained throughout qualification with just six conceded in ten games so far. My head says Denmark to shade it but this Irish team might have another performance in them such as the ones seen in Austria and Wales.
Sweden v Italy
Probably the match-up of the round with two sides that were probably looking to avoid each other in the draw last month. Sweden haven't set the world alight and don't have the powers of Zlatan to call upon these days but can still be a tricky team for Italy who have had some unremarkable results in qualifying such as a draw with Macedonia. I just feel a World cup without Italy won't happen and that they will pull the rabbit of the hat.
Inter-Continental play-offs:
Honduras v Australia
Australia and inter-continental play-offs again. The difference being they are entering it as Asia's representative but the Socceroos have had some heartbreak at this stage down the years namely the 2001 defeat to Uruguay but most painful of all the 1997 defeat to Iran on away goals. They come into this game sweating on Tim Cahill's fitness and face a side that pipped the United States to the play-off spot in CONCACAF. Honduras are a very physical team so the prospect of a patched up Tim Cahill facing them is a decision that coach Ange Postecoglu must think about. Postecoglu's future has also been a big talking point in the build up as he may not lead the Aussies out in Russia should they overcome the central Americans. I'm not convinced by this Australian team and I think Honduras will hold onto a lead from the first leg to qualify.
Peru v New Zealand
This is an interesting match-up simply because for New Zealand it could've been a whole lot tougher. Messi's bailout for Argentina meant they qualified automatically and thus a collective sigh of relief from the All-Whites ensued. Colombia also qualified automatically after drawing away in Peru. So for the New Zealanders its a Peru side that haven't qualified since 1982. New Zealand themselves haven't been at the finals since 2010 so this match-up offers a chance for one to step up. Peru however will be without Paolo Guerrero after he was suspended for thirty days for a doping offence, his loss cannot be understated to the Peruvians. I think Peru will get through here but will be keeping a close eye on this one.
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