World Cup Qualifying General Talk

[Zatman]

Howard Webb reffing the 2nd leg of Sweden vs Portugal. Hopefully he wont put up with Portugal diving and antics

[BOF]

Howard Webb reffing the 2nd leg of Sweden vs Portugal. Hopefully he wont put up with Portugal diving and antics

That could be brilliant actually. Portuguese games should always have a British Isles ref. The fact the opposition are Scandinavian is even better, as they're as close to the British football mentality as you can get. Hopefully that's the edge Sweden need. Come on you boys in yeller !

[Zatman]

problem is 1st leg ref is Italian who might favour their diving.

[BOF]

problem is 1st leg ref is Italian who might favour their diving.

Oh dear, the polar opposite of Howard Webb

[Ponky]

Most of the New Zealand players play in the A League actually. It's a professional league but obviously limited. Reid is undoubtedly their best player but they have some other decent players too. Their main striker Smeltz has been injured. Chris Wood is decent as is their keeper who made some incredible saves in that game.

They have a rubbish midfield though.

[BOF]

Ten players to keep an eye on during this international break. I just want to hear Paul Merson talking about "Konoplyanka of Dnipropetrovsk" really.

Transfer window: 10 potential January targets for Premier League clubs

With almost a third of the season gone, managers are beginning to get a good sense of how their team is shaping up and where their strengths and weaknesses lie. With that in mind they'll be drawing up a wish-list for the upcoming transfer period – but it's not the easiest time to buy. The bigger European leagues (or the Premier League, for that matter) are unlikely to countenance offers for anyone bar possibly those whose contract is up at the end of the season, so the realistic targets lie elsewhere.

Leagues such as Ukraine, where some contracts still run according to the calendar year, are one option. Greece, with its flailing economy, is another possible port of call, while Portuguese and Dutch clubs are occasionally susceptible to the right bid. With the forthcoming international rounds representing the last opportunity before the transfer window opens to check out targets in an environment away from their clubs, it should be a busy few days for Premier League scouts. Here's my view of 10 potential January targets involved in the upcoming international round.

Rui Patricio (25, goalkeeper, Sporting Lisbon – Portugal)

Though hardly flavour of the month in his home county after his failed clearance gifted Israel a late equaliser last month (which ultimately proved detrimental to their direct qualification), Rui Patricio is possibly the most interesting goalkeeper outside the top five European leagues. The Portuguese No1 is an agile, athletic and temperamental shot-stopper who is slowly improving on his previous concentration issues. His stock will rise further if he can stand in the way of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden.

Likely fit for: Hard to imagine that Manchester City are not closely monitoring the player.

Transfer value: £15-20m

Ivan Rakitic (25, attacking midfielder, Sevilla – Croatia)

Wonderfully gifted midfielder who can be deployed in any attacking position behind the centre-forward or as a deeper playmaker. In the absence of time for clubs to work on collective movement and attacking cohesion, "architects" such as Rakitic are rare commodities. The fact that Sevilla have no intention of selling the £15m-rated midfielder in January will not necessarily deter big clubs from making unofficial inquiries. And the forecast for freezing temperatures for Croatia's play-off leg in Iceland on Friday will give some clue as to how he would fare on a wet Tuesday night in Stoke …

Likely fit for: Could bring an extra spark to Manchester United's midfield.

Transfer value: £15-20m

Yevhen Konoplyanka (24, left-winger, Dnipropetrovsk – Ukraine)

Best remembered for his mesmerising turns against England, the Ukrainian winger is perfectly suited for the much-favoured 4-3-3 formation and a similar performance against France will attract even more admirers with his eye-catching one-on-one abilities and strong running capacity. With just one year left on his contract at Dnipro, who are managed by Juande Ramos, agents and an array of middlemen have long started testing the waters about a deal for the tricky right-footed winger – and January might be the right time to sell.

Likely fit for: Any top-half Premier League side with a substantial budget looking to freshen up the attack.

Transfer value: £12-14m

Fabian Schär (21, central defender, Basel – Switzerland)

A composed Swiss defender whose rise to prominence has been nothing short of amazing. Since leaving the second division side FC Wil – he played two full seasons there – the intelligent centre-back has gradually worked his way into the Basel first team (he was part of their impressive Europa League run last season and Champions League win at Stamford Bridge in September) and recently won his first senior caps for his country. His three goals from his four first caps illustrate his aerial domination.

Likely fit for: With quality centre-backs so few and far between, Schär will be closely monitored by the majority of Europe's top clubs and has already attracted concrete inquiries from Premier League clubs. Basel, however, are unlikely to sell in January for less than £10m.

Transfer value: £10-12m

Alfred Finnbogason (24, striker, Heerenveen – Iceland)

Being the leading goalscorer in the high-scoring Dutch league is quite often held against you (then again it worked for Ibrahimovic and Luis Suárez); however, it has helped the 24-year-old Finnbogason edge closer to a starting slot in the Icelandic national team and a move to the Premier League. For what he may lack in terms of buildup play and participation outside the penalty area, he makes up for inside the box. A technically sound striker with a calm head, sharp movements and exquisite finishing skills.

Likely fit for: Mid-table teams more capable of creating than finishing.

Transfer value: £6-8m

Viktor Fischer (19, winger/forward, Ajax – Denmark)

Despite not enjoying his best of seasons, the Dane remains one of the most coveted and closely monitored teenagers in world football. And for that very reason this might be the right moment to launch an audacious offer. Fischer is a pacy, explosive and intense two-footed winger (or second striker) who prefers playing on the left. High on confidence, he's always prepared to try the unexpected.

Likely fit for: a top Premier League that appreciates that the best time to buy a great talent is when his form has dipped and the rivals for his signature have started doubting.

Transfer value: £6-8m

Kostas Mitroglou (25, centre-forward, Olympiakos – Greece)

Another powerful centre-forward who is being heavily touted on the European circuit following his goalscoring spree for Olympiakos this season (14 in eight games, including three hat-tricks – no penalties). Not the most eye-pleasing of forwards, but with his shooting skills, aerial ability and positioning sense no one can doubt the Greek player's efficiency. Allegedly his contract includes a £6.5m buyout clause, which may represent a smart opportunity to land an in-form forward.

Likely fit for: Clubs challenging for a top-eight finish in need of a physical presence up front.

Transfer value: £6-7m

Carlos Muñoz (24, striker, Baniyas – Chile)

A stocky, dynamic striker who will be keen on making a mark against England on Friday. The top scorer in the Chilean league with Colo-Colo last season, he moved to the United Arab Emirates for £2.5m in the summer (I'm surprised there weren't other takers), a move that I can only assume was a non-logical stepping stone on the way to European football. Intense and generous in a Carlos Tevez way, the Chilean is already on the shortlist of several European clubs and an eye-catching performance at Wembley on Friday might trigger a move.

Likely fit for Any team short of a goal poacher or a counterattacking threat.

Transfer value: £5-6m

Filip Djordjevic (26, centre-forward, Nantes – Serbia)

The well-built, opportunistic centre-forward has been checked out by at least half a dozen Premier League clubs over the past six months. Newly promoted with Nantes, the Serbian has picked up where he left off last season with eight goals to his name so far. With his contract due to expire next summer, the destiny of the left-footed forward is about to slip out of Nantes' hands. Will certainly not be short of offers, be it in January or next summer.

Likely fit for: A mid-table Premier League team in need of a prolific presence up front – or even a financially reasonable back-up option for one of the bigger teams.

Transfer value: £3-4m

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (23, winger, AZ Alkmaar – Iceland)

One of several Icelandic talents who have recently emerged from Dutch football to form something of a "golden generation" for their country. Just two games short of a maiden World Cup finals participation, the left-footed wide forward – equally effective on either flank – has proved decisive for his country throughout the campaign. In particular his stunning second-half hat-trick against Switzerland unsurprisingly did not go unnoticed. Gudmundsson's contract expires next summer and the January window may represent the final chance of a payday for his title-chasing club side.

Likely fit for: A mid-table Premier League team with a limited budget keen on a versatile impact forward with resale potential.

Transfer value: £2-3m

[bose]

Ridiculous rule that the yellow cards aren't wiped out before the playoffs. Iceland have 8 players and Croatia have 11 players who won't play the second leg if they get a yellow card in tonight's match!

 

Can't wait for the match tonight. The whole country is buzzing. Going to be really difficult though.

[BOF]

It's a pity alright, but it is still the qualifying campaign so I can at least understand it. I hope it doesn't bite anyone in the ass, especially for Iceland. Best of luck. I imagine the whole country is going to come to a complete and utter standstill

[Zatman]

i think most of Europe are cheering them on as well. Really like Croatia and Kovac but cant cheer them tonight but it will be an absolute fairytale if Iceland get there

Edited November 15, 2013 by Zatman

[Electric Avenue]

Portugal / Sweden looks value at 3/1 for the draw.

[Zatman]

was thinking Ukraine vs France will be best chance for a draw tonight 21/10

[Electric Avenue]

Perhaps a double

[BOF]

If you're looking for value, Sweden are 21/4 to win in Portugal (they're Victor Chandler odds).

[bose]

BOF are you behind this? 

[Zatman]

saw it the other day, its a good link. songs are easy to learn as well 

[VillaChris]

No chance Sweden will win tonight.

[coda]

No chance Sweden will win tonight.

 

Not with that defeatist attitude!

[Avfc96]

Sweden vs Portugal on the laptop with the England game on the tele. I have a feeling Portugal will win the play off by a very fine margin. Both teams overall quality is pretty poor, but they both have 1 of the world's best players in their team. Ronaldo has been generally poor throughout Portugal's qualifying campaign but I think he will step up for them and win it.

[AVFCforever1991]

With Zlatan, anything is possible...

[Zatman]

Sweden vs Portugal on the laptop with the England game on the tele. I have a feeling Portugal will win the play off by a very fine margin. Both teams overall quality is pretty poor, but they both have 1 of the world's best players in their team. Ronaldo has been generally poor throughout Portugal's qualifying campaign but I think he will step up for them and win it.

 

really? if Portual get there they will be probably be among semi finalists