THE HYPE SURROUNDING the Ireland game makes it easy forget that there are three other crucial play-offs taking place tomorrow.
With that in mind, here’s a preview of each encounter.
Turkey v Croatia
A re-match of the Euro 2008 quarter-final, Croatia will be looking to avenge the crushing penalty-kick defeat they suffered at the hands of their opponents.
Turkey have only one player ruled out for the first-leg – ex-Sheffield United striker Colin Kazım-Richards.
The visitors, meanwhile, will be without Ivan Strinić, Niko Kranjčar and Mladen Petrić, while Vedran Corluka is a serious doubt for the first leg, having picked up a foot injury in training. They do, however, have Bayern Munich left-back Danijel Pranjić back fit again.
Verdict: Croatia have the stronger team on paper and should advance, though they’ll have to keep an eye on Trabzonspor’s in-form striker Burak Yılmaz, who has eight goals in his last 13 appearances.
Bosnia v Portugal
Bosnia were so close to avoiding this fate, as with 15 minutes to go in their final qualifier, they held the lead against France. However, a late Samir Nasri goal put paid to their hopes of automatic qualification.
They go into this game without the suspended Saša Papac and Boris Pandža, while an injury to Mensur Mujdža leaves their defence looking somewhat threadbare.
Portugal also narrowly missed out on automatic qualification after they dropped points in their last game by losing 3-1 to Denmark.
Sílvio Pereira and Danny have both been ruled out since the visitors’ initial squad was named, and they will be replaced by Eliseu and Vieirinha, who starred for PAOK in their recent defeat of Shamrock Rovers.
Verdict: Bosnia boast the Premier League’s second top scorer in Edin Dzeko within their ranks. However, it’s hard to look past Portugal progressing, given their greater big-game experience, coupled with the outstanding form Cristiano Ronaldo is in at the moment.
Czech Republic v Montenegro
Montenegro are an unpredictable team, securing two impressive draws against England, but also losing to Wales in their qualifying campaign.
Montenegro have everyone fit, bar Marko Baša, who is doubtful due to a shoulder injury.
Their opponents Czech Republic were always fighting a losing battle after being paired with Spain in their campaign, but managed to secure second place, despite an embarrassing 1-0 home defeat to Lithuania.
Peter Cech is a doubt for the hosts, who are already without the suspended Tomáš Hübschman.
Verdict: Arguably the hardest of the four qualifiers to call as both sides were inconsistent in qualifying, Czech Republic have competed on the big stage before, while Montenegro have never qualified for a major tournament, so expect the Czechs to edge it based on their experience.
