Tips for Soccer: Which European Nations will Make it Through to World Cup in Brazil?

With the World Cup 2014 in Brazil more than a year away the teams are engaged in an intense battle to get a ticket to Brazil. Top European nations are vying for spots in these qualifiers. 53 European nations are competing for a place in the finals at Brazil. Out of these only 13 nations will make it through. The group winners will directly qualify for Brazil while the eight runners up go into play-offs against best record third, fourth and fifth teams. This week saw many World Cup qualifiers being played.  So let us analyse where the top teams stand.

Group A is wide open

Featuring the likes of Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, Wales, Macedonia and Scotland there are many possibilities in this group. Belgium and Croatia are the runaway leaders with 5 wins and 1 draw in their six matches. Serbia is nine points adrift. In the last match Belgium got over the line against Macedonia with a solitary goal from Eden Hazard, while Croatia won after a struggle against the Welsh in a 2-1 tie.

Italy Breaking Away from the Pack in Group B

Italy is clearly the favourites among the betting systems to book a place in Brazil. They have won 4 off their 5 matches, ending in level terms in one match. This week Italy had an easy win over Malta thanks to the brace by Mario Balotelli. The second placed Bulgaria has played one game extra and they face stiff competition for the runners-up spot from Czech Republic and Denmark.

Germany the Clear Favourites in Group C

Clinical Germany just like Italy are ahead of the pack with 5 wins in their 6 matches played so far. Germany had a comfortable 4-1 win over Kazakhstan with a brace from Marco Reus. Austria are cherishing the second position though they have played one match more than Sweden, who are looking favourites to end in second place.

Group D belongs to the Dutch

Netherlands have again performed admirably in their qualifiers winning all their matches. They are only a couple of good performances from booking a place in Brazil. Hungary and Romania will be vying for the second place. Some experts writing tips for soccer are even giving Turkey an outside chance.

Group E still Remains Uncertain

Switzerland is leading this group but there are many other contenders. Iceland and Albania would be looking to perform well in the remainder of ties and make World Cup debut while Norway is also not out of reach.

Russia Leading with Buffer Matches in Hand

Russia is only the other team than Netherlands who have won all their 4 matches. This means they have two more matches in hand. Portugal and Israel have a chance to get through to the top if Russia happens to slip.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Surprise all in Group G

Bosnia and Herzegovina who suffered heartbreak in the play-offs are latching onto the pole position in this group. They have a three point lead over Greece. Slovakia is the other challenger in this group.

England’s Woes Lead to Montenegro’s gain in Group H

Stunningly enough Montenegro is still leading in this group thanks to the draw against England. England is in second place and they will also have to contend with Poland and Ukraine.

Spain Redeeming Themselves in Group I

Spain and France are the clear favourites in all betting systems to go through. At the present moment Spain is leading France by a single point. Other teams in this group seem to be merely making up numbers.

Soccer Picks: Players to watch out for in UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals

There is a host of International soccer ties scheduled in the next few weeks, thus we will be missing EPL action. So, we will ponder upon the soccer picks for the quarter finals of UEFA Champions League in this blog. Though the English challenge is over but there are some great teams still remaining in the league. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga will represent Spain in the Champions League while Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich will be the German challenge. Italy has a sole team remaining in the form of Juventus, so does Turkey and France in the form of Galatasaray and Paris Saint Germain. It is very hard to tip you about the betting systems and who you should bet upon among these teams.

Among the teams Real Madrid is clearly the favourite. They have a tie against Turkish giants Galatasaray who looked wobbly at many times during this campaign. But the claims of Didier Drogba (ex-Chelsea and now Galatasaray striker) will ignite some hope among the fans. Jose Maurinho’s men have been in sublime touch whether in Europe or in Spanish La Liga. Christiano Ronaldo teamed up with Gonzalo Hinguain and Karim Benzema will form a too hot to handle pairing. Real midfield is also formidable with the likes of Luka Modric, Michael Essien, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira. Real Madrid would be the safest bet in the betting systems to win this year’s title.

But as ever Bayern Munich will be the dark horse. This German side has a great record in the Champions League and they are also in prime form in this year’s campaign. Claudio Pizarro and Mario Gomez are looking dangerous upfront and they are provided all the creative passes by Arjen Robben, Franck Ribbery, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteigger. They would among the soccer picks of many football betting experts.

You can never forget Barcelona in the rush. They had to struggle through their qualification process and overcame AC Milan with a great performance. Barcelona has a forward line to crave for in the form of Lionel Messi, David Villa and Alexis Sanchez, while their midfield has some of the best players in Andres Iniesta, Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Xavi Hernandez. Though no one is betting for Malaga or Borussia Dortmund but they may surprise many.

Soccer Tips for Rest of EPL 2012-13 Season

So, the English resistance has now ended in the Champions league with Manchester United crashing out after a defeat against Real Madrid. This has not been the best year for English clubs in Europe. All the other clubs are reeling. All the leading English clubs now have a sole focus i.e. is to salvage some pride in the EPL. Manchester United have looked a solid team throughout this campaign. They have lead all the way through. Last year they were lacking a creative edge in finishing, but that has been provided by the arrival of Robin Van Persie. What’s more, it looks like Nani has again found his lost form. Danny Wellback who looked little raw last season has been a fast mover. Shinji Kagawa, another new arrival, is showing his early signs of devastation. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are standing tall in defence, but it would be a relief for Sir Alex to see his young ward David De Gea finally showing good signs. They are leading in the betting systems to take this season’s EPL crown.

But some soccer tips have not wiped out the chances of Manchester City too. Mancini’s boys are well capable of coming back strongly. Carlos Tavez and Sergio Aguerro are a lethal strike force at the top. To back them up there is of course the ever reliable Edin Dzeko. Problem for Manchester City has been their over dependence upon Yaya Toure and David Silva to provide that cutting edge. Yaya has been below par many times this season and Man City have suffered each time.

Tottenham Hotspurs are sitting pretty at number 3 slot. Not many soccer experts would given them such a chance in their soccer tips columns. After losing Harry Redknapp last season it seemed bleak for Spurs. But Andre Vilas Boas seems to have come out strong after his sacking at Chelsea. He is a man with the mission and so is Gareth Bale. Many betting systems would happily put their money upon him as he is playing some dream football. 

Queens Park Rangers and Reading are the two teams who are going down to the championship football next season. Who would accompany them is a question.