Friday's World Cup Qualifiers

Scotland v Wales (20:00)
Sweden v Republic of Ireland (19:45)
San Marino v England (20:00)

Another Battle of Britain affair with Wales off to Scotland, expect Gareth Bale to take centre stage again. Let's be honest though, none of those teams will make it to Brazil. The Republic of Ireland travel to Sweden, a loss will cut Ireland adrift of qualifying, a win will put them right in the mixer. England will get an easy ride, away to the 207th team in World football. England's focus is probably centred on Tuesday, and their injury crisis, Walcott's out as well now.

Predictions:

Scotland 1-2 Wales
Sweden 2-2 R.O.I
San Marino 0-6 England

San Marino 0 England 7
Scotland 2 Wales 1
Sweden 3 Republic of Ireland 0

Scotland 2-1 Wales - Snodgrass brace (cmon Snoddy!!!)

England 9-0 San Marino

Also Trappatoni #sayyestoWes

San Marino 0-8 England
Scotland 0- Wales 3
Sweden 0- Ireland 0

Oh and Strachan. Hutton over Martin/Whittaker #headsgone

lol im not sure about 6,8 or 9-0. this is england remember. im also suprised at how arrogant the welsh have become, bloody 1 man team

san marino 0-3 england
scotland 2-2 wales
sweden 3-1 ireland

Fletcher stretchered off for the Scots.

Miller > Rhodes though?! Strange one that imo

Wales are so in total control of this match it's unreal.

Scotland are all over the place Freeky

You know you are in trouble when you have a burke in your side.

apart from Burke scotland looks a decent side on the break

Corr what a cross by Snoddy, Miller's gotta get that on target

belter by young there and its 4-0

trademark finish from lampard for 5.

Scotland would still struggle against San Marino

Get in! Thoroughly undeserved mind!

Scotland 1-0 Bale

Tonight begs the question: should minnows like San Marino, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Scotland etc really be allowed to play competition international football?

The Special Juan wrote:Tonight begs the question: should minnows like San Marino, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Scotland etc really be allowed to play competition international football?

Well their not going to get better if they don't just look at Bangladesh in Cricket use to be 70 all out now can beat Sri Lanka, If they play them enough their get better eventually

Like Southgate said on ITV, it isn't good for them Nations themselves.

They're never gonna produce any sort of footballers/football team if they're getting spanked for 6/7 every game, and just sitting back taking it

Fernando wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Tonight begs the question: should minnows like San Marino, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Scotland etc really be allowed to play competition international football?

Well their not going to get better if they don't just look at Bangladesh in Cricket use to be 70 all out now can beat Sri Lanka, If they play them enough their get better eventually

Different situation that. Bangladesh have millions and millions and millions of cricket mad people to choose from, they were bound to get better just due to the system of bringing through youngsters they have in place.

Can't compare that to San Marino, Luxembourg etc etc

Fernando wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Tonight begs the question: should minnows like San Marino, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Scotland etc really be allowed to play competition international football?

Well their not going to get better if they don't just look at Bangladesh in Cricket use to be 70 all out now can beat Sri Lanka, If they play them enough their get better eventually

That's a good point and I know what you mean but as Olly said no one will want to play for them if they keep getting hammered. I think the population of Bangladesh has also helped as it's a growing a country (I think).

Olly wrote:

Fernando wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Tonight begs the question: should minnows like San Marino, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Scotland etc really be allowed to play competition international football?

Well their not going to get better if they don't just look at Bangladesh in Cricket use to be 70 all out now can beat Sri Lanka, If they play them enough their get better eventually

Different situation that. Bangladesh have millions and millions and millions of cricket mad people to choose from, they were bound to get better just due to the system of bringing through youngsters they have in place.

Can't compare that to San Marino, Luxembourg etc etc

Their not going to get any better playing each other though cos their get so far then go into a standstill or until one side is better then the rest and we're back to the same situation

The Special Juan wrote:

Fernando wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Tonight begs the question: should minnows like San Marino, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Scotland etc really be allowed to play competition international football?

Well their not going to get better if they don't just look at Bangladesh in Cricket use to be 70 all out now can beat Sri Lanka, If they play them enough their get better eventually

That's a good point and I know what you mean but as Olly said no one will want to play for them if they keep getting hammered. I think the population of Bangladesh has also helped as it's a growing a country (I think).

Got one of the most dense populations on the planet TSJ. Think they have a bigger population than England

Bale off for Wales

#can'ttakeatackle

And besides - Bangladesh were the top non test before then. But I'd just wish they'd give Ireland Test status. They can start off giving us games against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the Windies.

Bangladesh are only up against - what? - 8 or 9 cricketing nations. The likes of San Marino are pishing in the wind and always will be.

Football is an inclusive game and the worlds most popular sport. All countries should have the right to compete even if they get battered.

Ent wrote:Football is an inclusive game and the worlds most popular sport. All countries should have the right to compete even if they get battered.

Not really competing though are they? That's the point.

Of course they've got a right to be in this, but it'd be better for the development of football/footballers in the country if they played in games that were more competitive and enabled them to express themselves more as footballers.

Hoolahan on for Ireland. Now watching that game lol

FreekShow wrote:

Ent wrote:Football is an inclusive game and the worlds most popular sport. All countries should have the right to compete even if they get battered.

Not really competing though are they? That's the point.

There are a lot if uncompetitive teams, they still have the right to attempt to qualify and represent their country should they want.

Yes they get battered but I'm sure the players enjoy the experience and the fans enjoy their fellow country men taking on the worlds best.

Olly wrote:Of course they've got a right to be in this, but it'd be better for the development of football/footballers in the country if they played in games that were more competitive and enabled them to express themselves more as footballers.

A fair point, perhaps the minnows could have their own group and the top 2 enter full qualifying, or something like that.

How are ireland playing - cant see it currently.

biggest win for a long time this

JamesLincs wrote:biggest win for a long time this

Unusual for England to perform like most do against the minnows - good sign?

Ent wrote:

Olly wrote:Of course they've got a right to be in this, but it'd be better for the development of football/footballers in the country if they played in games that were more competitive and enabled them to express themselves more as footballers.

A fair point, perhaps the minnows could have their own group and the top 2 enter full qualifying, or something like that.

How are ireland playing - cant see it currently.

That would be a good idea Ent I reckon for sure.

Ireland are doing alright, just lacking the final ball. Hoolahan been busy since he's been on, Walters doing some good work down the flanks

i think so. we beat italy didnt we last year and didnt actually lose at the euro's. our only loss in two years was to a ridiculous ibrahimovic hatrick

oh and holland too

Ent wrote:

Olly wrote:Of course they've got a right to be in this, but it'd be better for the development of football/footballers in the country if they played in games that were more competitive and enabled them to express themselves more as footballers.

A fair point, perhaps the minnows could have their own group and the top 2 enter full qualifying, or something like that.

How are ireland playing - cant see it currently.

Agree with this totally Ent.

Battering after battering is never going to aid any of these nations development. That said the likes of San Marino, Luxemburg, Malta, Andorra etc are never going to achieve anything at international level.

why did sturridge stand still and put his hands on his hips when defoe tapped that in?

Snodgrass off, Wales penalty.

Oops Snoddy! Tut tut, he does love a tackle though.

Still Scotland defence collapses. As the Nodge showed at the weekend, you gotta defend better than that

20-1 at halftime. That was worth a tenner. #StachanOut #KeanIn

FreekShow wrote:

Ent wrote:

Olly wrote:Of course they've got a right to be in this, but it'd be better for the development of football/footballers in the country if they played in games that were more competitive and enabled them to express themselves more as footballers.

A fair point, perhaps the minnows could have their own group and the top 2 enter full qualifying, or something like that.

How are ireland playing - cant see it currently.

Agree with this totally Ent.

Battering after battering is never going to aid any of these nations development. That said the likes of San Marino, Luxemburg, Malta, Andorra etc are never going to achieve anything at international level.

Only thing is on stepping up its be like going from conference to pl.

Scotland paying for a silly tackle by snodgrass.

Great chant going up mind lol.

At least Snodgrass will be rested nicely for Wigan away

Finland 1-1 Spain

Fernando wrote:Finland 1-1 Spain

Sure we beat them in 2006.

spain are at home arent they?

my bad yes they were and it's full time @ 1-1

san marino have a set piece 65 yards from goal