Crunch-Time In Zagreb As Favourites Go Head-To-Head
Steve McClaren's honeymoon period as England manager officially ended at Old Trafford on Saturday, one game earlier than expected. His England side struggled to breakdown a resolute Macedonian defence in what was expected to be a routine victory, continuing a sequence of three previous comfortable wins against weak opposition during his short reign. Having had an easy ride from the notoriously harsh British media, McClaren will be conscious of knives-being sharpened as he prepares for what will be Group E's crunch tie against Croatia, in Zagreb on Wednesday night. Pinnacle Sports have full prices for this crucial Group E clash, and all Euro 2008 qualifiers on the night.
The biggest disappointment for England against the un-fancied Macedonians was the lack of creativity in midfield, with the first threat to the Baltic minnows' goal not coming until just before the halfway mark. Steven Gerrard was by far the most effective attacking force, so his suspension from this key clash is a massive blow to England, already without Aaron Lennon and Owen Hargreaves through injury.
Wayne Rooney continued his poor run of form, lacking sharpness in front of goal, and maintaining his goal-drought in competitive internationals that stretches back to Euro 2004, where he announced his arrival on the world stage, coincidentally with two goals to knock the Croatians out of that tournament. McClaren has indicated that his patience has not run-out with Rooney, but his decision is made easier by the lack of a credible replacement, particularly with Andy Johnson - the Premiership's top-scorer - injured.
Croatia haven't lost a home qualifier in five qualification campaigns, and coach Slaven Bilic, is bullish about the Balkans' chances of maintaining that record. The 38 year-old has first hand experience of English football, having played in the Premiership for West Ham and Everton. His side may not be of the calibre of his 'Golden Generation' that made it to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals, but they warmed up with a confidence boosting 7-0 win over Andorra, with Mladen Petric bagging four goals, and laying claim to the mantle of Dado Prso and Davor Sukur. Croatia will certainly be assured passionate support at the capital's Maksimir Stadium, where the national side have never been beaten. Pinnacle Sports make Croatia very slight underdogs at 2.04 (0/scratch) with Steve McClaren's England 1.893 (0/scratch) favourites off the level handicap.
Tartan Army fans are in seventh heaven, after Scotland scored an unlikely victory against World Cup finalists France on Saturday, to top Group B. The win will however, become just a footnote in Scotland's chequered football history, if they fail to maintain Saturday's level of concentration and commitment in Kiev on Wednesday night. The Scots have produced shocks on home soil before, but their failure to qualify for the last four international tournaments, is mostly due to a lack of consistency, and poor away form. With Italy still to come, Walter Smith will be concerned that Saturday's win could just be a flash in the pan.
Scotland's fragility on the road, will be of even greater concern against a Ukrainian side with just one defeat from their last seventeen home ties, and on that basis Pinnacle Sports rate the Ukrainians 2.09 favourites (-0.5 & -1). Group B is of the toughest qualifying sections, with Italy and France certain to be challenging for the two automatic places, defeat for either side here could effectively ruin their chances of reaching Austria/Switzerland in two years time.
Elsewhere across Europe there are key clashes as qualification gathers pace, and the main contenders stake their claims. Pinnacle Sports has lines for Group A's key clash as 2004 finalists Portugal (0 & -0.5, 1.787) visit Poland (0 & +0.5, 2.17), while the defending champions Greece (0 & -0.5, 2.13), take a 100% record to Bosnia (0 & +0.5, 1.813).
