Switzerland are the top ranked team in the playoffs. I'm surprised about that.
Like the Welsh have only played one Friendly since June 2016... the rest have all been Qualifiers so protects their ranking.
FIFA really need to sort that rule out; Poland are another team who have only played one friendly over the last year and thats helped them to become seeded for the World Cup (means that Spain arent!!)
That's the two teams you wanted I think though I agree it's better for Ireland especially because they play at home second. Italy or Croatia would've been a massive struggle.
Have to be happy with that for the Republic. None are easy, but getting the 2nd leg at home as well is a big bonus. Roll on Friday when tickets go on sale! COYBIG
The general point of view in the Danish press is that it's neither what we preferred (Northern Ireland) or our worst nightmare (Sweden). We're small favourites, but will be very tricky against a hard working, physical strong Irish team, who prefer the opponent to be in possession of the ball. This has always been an issue for Denmark. We're no good at bossing the game (latest results, a small 1-0 win away to Montenegro and 1-1 at home to Romania - when we played Poland prior to these two games, we smashed them 4-0).
Switzerland are the top ranked team in the playoffs. I'm surprised about that.
Like the Welsh have only played one Friendly since June 2016... the rest have all been Qualifiers so protects their ranking.
FIFA really need to sort that rule out; Poland are another team who have only played one friendly over the last year and thats helped them to become seeded for the World Cup (means that Spain arent!!)
Poland reached the Euro 2016 quarter finals and Wales reached the semis so their good rankings are hardly just because they don't play many friendlies.
Here we go, the final week of qualifying... 23 teams are guaranteed their place and all 32 spots should be decided by next Wednesday.
1. Northern Ireland or Switzerland (9th & 12th Nov) 2. Croatia or Greece (9th & 12th Nov) 3. Italy or Sweden (10th & 13th Nov) 4. Ireland or Denmark (11th & 14th Nov) 5. Tunisia or Congo (11th Nov) 6. Morocco or Ivory Coast (11th Nov) 7. Senegal or Burkina Faso or Cape Verde or South Africa (10th & 14th Nov) 8. New Zealand or Peru (11th & 15th Nov) 9. Honduras or Australia (10th & 15th Nov)
1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 are all two legged play offs.
5, 6, 7 will be the winner of a group of four.
Only Tunisia or Congo can win their group - Tunisia have 13 points and are at home to Libya, Congo have 10 points and are at home to Guinea. Tunisia's GD is +7 and Congo's is +5.
Only Morocco or Ivory Coast can win their group - Morocco have nine points, they travel to Ivory Coast who, on 8 points, need a win to progress.
Any of the four teams can still win Group D with only three fixtures left to play - Senegal have 8 points, Burkina Faso & Cape Verde have 6 points and South Africa have 4 points.
Out of all the teams you have named the only real big team are the Italians. It would not feel like a proper world cup if they were not there.
1. Switzerland ( I really hope I am wrong) 2. Croatia 3. Sweden (Big shock) 4. Ireland 5. Tunisa 6. cote d'ivoire 7. Burkina Faso 8. New Zerland 9. Australia
Out of all the teams you have named the only real big team are the Italians. It would not feel like a proper world cup if they were not there.
1. Switzerland ( I really hope I am wrong) 2. Croatia 3. Sweden (Big shock) 4. Ireland 5. Tunisa 6. cote d'ivoire 7. Burkina Faso 8. New Zerland 9. Australia
Huge fail there... Can spell the proper name for Ivory Coast yet fail to spell New Zealand
Here we go, the final week of qualifying... 23 teams are guaranteed their place and all 32 spots should be decided by next Wednesday.
1. Northern Ireland or Switzerland (9th & 12th Nov) 2. Croatia or Greece (9th & 12th Nov) 3. Italy or Sweden (10th & 13th Nov) 4. Ireland or Denmark (11th & 14th Nov) 5. Tunisia or Congo (11th Nov) 6. Morocco or Ivory Coast (11th Nov) 7. Senegal or Burkina Faso or Cape Verde or South Africa (10th & 14th Nov) 8. New Zealand or Peru (11th & 15th Nov) 9. Honduras or Australia (10th & 15th Nov)
1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 are all two legged play offs.
5, 6, 7 will be the winner of a group of four.
Only Tunisia or Congo can win their group - Tunisia have 13 points and are at home to Libya, Congo have 10 points and are at home to Guinea. Tunisia's GD is +7 and Congo's is +5.
Only Morocco or Ivory Coast can win their group - Morocco have nine points, they travel to Ivory Coast who, on 8 points, need a win to progress.
Any of the four teams can still win Group D with only three fixtures left to play - Senegal have 8 points, Burkina Faso & Cape Verde have 6 points and South Africa have 4 points.
You've missed the important factor in Group D with the fact that Senegal and South Africa have a game in hand on both Burkina Faso and Cape Verde after their original game was scrapped after FIFA ruled a replay.
If Senegal win then they'll Qualify without having to rely upon the last fixture - If they lose (like they did the original fixture) then South Africa will seriously be in the driving seat as their final fixture is the reverse match between Senegal and South Africa
I've not been this nervous before a Denmark game (or games in this case), since the 3rd and final group stage game against France (World Cup 2002). I can't cope with the thought of missing out of another finals, especially via two playoff games. On the other hand, I'll be on cloud nine for weeks, if we make it.
Out of all the teams you have named the only real big team are the Italians. It would not feel like a proper world cup if they were not there.
1. Switzerland ( I really hope I am wrong) 2. Croatia 3. Sweden (Big shock) 4. Ireland 5. Tunisa 6. cote d'ivoire 7. Burkina Faso 8. New Zerland 9. Australia
The Italians will be there, the Swedish FA, management and players have already had their bank accounts topped up and taken delivery of a new Ferrari.
Out of all the teams you have named the only real big team are the Italians. It would not feel like a proper world cup if they were not there.
1. Switzerland ( I really hope I am wrong) 2. Croatia 3. Sweden (Big shock) 4. Ireland 5. Tunisa 6. cote d'ivoire 7. Burkina Faso 8. New Zerland 9. Australia
Sweden can you believe it? Sweden? Big shock, big big shock.
1. Switzerland 2. Greece 3. Sweden (i hope - i dont get this bollox about WC wouldnt be the same without Italy - did they give a toss when we were banned from it?? 4. Denmark 5. Tunisia 6. Ivory Coast 7. South Africa 8. Peru 9. Honduras
Comments
FIFA really need to sort that rule out; Poland are another team who have only played one friendly over the last year and thats helped them to become seeded for the World Cup (means that Spain arent!!)
We're small favourites, but will be very tricky against a hard working, physical strong Irish team, who prefer the opponent to be in possession of the ball. This has always been an issue for Denmark. We're no good at bossing the game (latest results, a small 1-0 win away to Montenegro and 1-1 at home to Romania - when we played Poland prior to these two games, we smashed them 4-0).
1. Northern Ireland or Switzerland (9th & 12th Nov)
2. Croatia or Greece (9th & 12th Nov)
3. Italy or Sweden (10th & 13th Nov)
4. Ireland or Denmark (11th & 14th Nov)
5. Tunisia or Congo (11th Nov)
6. Morocco or Ivory Coast (11th Nov)
7. Senegal or Burkina Faso or Cape Verde or South Africa (10th & 14th Nov)
8. New Zealand or Peru (11th & 15th Nov)
9. Honduras or Australia (10th & 15th Nov)
1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 are all two legged play offs.
5, 6, 7 will be the winner of a group of four.
Only Tunisia or Congo can win their group - Tunisia have 13 points and are at home to Libya, Congo have 10 points and are at home to Guinea. Tunisia's GD is +7 and Congo's is +5.
Only Morocco or Ivory Coast can win their group - Morocco have nine points, they travel to Ivory Coast who, on 8 points, need a win to progress.
Any of the four teams can still win Group D with only three fixtures left to play - Senegal have 8 points, Burkina Faso & Cape Verde have 6 points and South Africa have 4 points.
1. Switzerland
2. Croatia
3. Italy
4. Denmark
5. Tunisia
6. Morocco
7. Senegal
8. Peru
9. Australia
Think I've picked nine favourites there...
1. Switzerland ( I really hope I am wrong)
2. Croatia
3. Sweden (Big shock)
4. Ireland
5. Tunisa
6. cote d'ivoire
7. Burkina Faso
8. New Zerland
9. Australia
If Senegal win then they'll Qualify without having to rely upon the last fixture - If they lose (like they did the original fixture) then South Africa will seriously be in the driving seat as their final fixture is the reverse match between Senegal and South Africa
Croatia
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Tunisia
Morocco
South Africa
New Zealand
Australia
croatia
n ireland
ireland
sweden
will be heading for russia
Tunisia
Ivory Coast
Senegal
Peru
australia15th Nov)
I can't cope with the thought of missing out of another finals, especially via two playoff games.
On the other hand, I'll be on cloud nine for weeks, if we make it.
Great squad of players but the manager Ventura is awful and most people want him out.
Would be a shame to not have the Netherlands and Italy at the WC. The WC needs the big teams.
1. Northern Ireland or Switzerland (9th & 12th Nov) - Switzerland
2. Croatia or Greece (9th & 12th Nov) - Croatia
3. Italy or Sweden (10th & 13th Nov) - Italy
4. Ireland or Denmark (11th & 14th Nov) - Ireland
5. Tunisia or Congo (11th Nov) - Tunisia
6. Morocco or Ivory Coast (11th Nov) - Ivory Coast
7. Senegal or Burkina Faso or Cape Verde or South Africa (10th & 14th Nov) - Sengal
8. New Zealand or Peru (11th & 15th Nov) - Peru
9. Honduras or Australia (10th & 15th Nov) - Australia
1. Switzerland
2. Croatia
3. Italy
4. Ireland
5. Tunisia
6. Ivory Coast
7. Senegal
8. Peru
9. Honduras
2. Croatia
3. Italy
4. Ireland
5. Tunisia
6. Ivory Coast
7. Senegal
8. New Zealand
9. Australia
2. Greece
3. Sweden (i hope - i dont get this bollox about WC wouldnt be the same without Italy - did they give a toss when we were banned from it??
4. Denmark
5. Tunisia
6. Ivory Coast
7. South Africa
8. Peru
9. Honduras