Looking Ahead to the Next Instalment of World Cup Qualifiers

September 24, 2009

Qualifying for the 2010 World Cup is starting to wind down. 10 countries have joined South Africa in the finals meaning there are 21 more places up for grabs.
In Africa, Ghana is already there and the Ivory Coast is basically assured of joining them. The other three groups are very tight where anything can happen.

In Asia, Bahrain defeated Saudi Arabia in a play-off and they will play New Zealand in another playoff. Bahrain has never before been to the World Cup while New Zealand were there once before in 1982.

Europe still has a lot of football left in its qualifying. In Group 1 Denmark are the favourites to finish first meaning Sweden and Portugal are fighting for that runners-up spot. In Group 2, Switzerland have the edge ahead of Greece and Latvia. From Group 3, Slovakia are essentially there. That leaves Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland to fight for second. Group 4 is between Germany and Russia. Spain are through from Group 5 and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the favourites to finish second. This means that Turkey who finished third in 2002 will again miss out on the World Cup. From Group 6, England are already there thanks to a perfect eight wins from eight and Ukraine could pass Croatia to finish second. Group 7 sees Serbia ahead and France should finish second. Italy is comfortably ahead in Group 8 and the Republic of Ireland should finish behind them. Group 9 is already complete with Norway grabbing second spot behind the Dutch. The problem the Norwegians have is that they may finish as the ninth best runner-up which mean they will miss out on a playoff.

In CONCACAF, the top three are the USA, Mexico and Honduras. The popular feeling amongst the soccer betting community is that these three teams will gain direct qualification. While Costa Rica who are in fourth spot would have a play-off with the fifth placed South American side if they stayed there.

There is a lot of interest in who this fifth placed side is. Currently it is Argentina but Uruguay and Venezuela are both just a point behind and Colombia is another point back. Could they miss out? It seems inconceivable.

David Wiseman is looking forward to the 2010 World Cup and is also looking forward to seeing how his Melbourne Cup betting pans out.

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