European teams have been taking their time getting to the World Cup. Watch a bunch of them charge across the finish line on Saturday. BODOG posts Odds.
Going into the last two rounds of qualifying, Ukraine is the only European nation besides host Germany already in next year's 32-team finals, while eight teams have made it from other parts of the world. On Saturday, at least eight more European teams could join Brazil, Argentina, United States, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ukraine and Germany.
Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands need only to avoid defeat, while France and Sweden will qualify with victories. Poland could get there without even playing and England and Croatia may qualify with victories if other results go the right way.
The Italians, who have a five-point lead in Group 5, are on the verge of qualifying for the 12th time in a row and 16th in total, although the last of their three triumphs was in 1982. Portugal also is five points clear and will be confident of beating soccer minnow Liechtenstein at home even without Barcelona midfielder Deco, who is suspended.
After nine Group 1 victories and a tie, the Netherlands goes to the Czech Republic with a four-point lead and needs to avoid defeat in Prague. Coach Marco van Basten says the Dutch team's performance against the Czechs, who also are among the leading contenders from Europe, will be a good test of its chances of winning the title for the first time.
The French go to Switzerland and, while Israel is idle with just one game left, Ireland visits Cyprus. France, the 1998 champion showing signs of decline, can capture a place in the finals by beating the Swiss despite the absence of injured strikers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet.
Poland holds a five-point lead over England in Group 6 and will go through if Sven-Goran Eriksson's team, stunned by last month's 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland, fails to beat Austria at Old Trafford. If England wins its final two games against the Austrians and Poles, however, Eriksson's team finishes top.
World Cup Betting Odds by Bodog Sportsbook
England -600
Austria +1000
Draw +440
Czech Republic +125
Netherlands +187
Draw +200
Prediction: Expect Holland and England to destroy Czech Republic and Austria and book their place in next year's World Cup.
*Check BODOG for the latest Odds on World Cup Soccer Qualifiers 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup Schedule Odds to win 2006 FIFA Football World Cup
Going into the last two rounds of qualifying, Ukraine is the only European nation besides host Germany already in next year's 32-team finals, while eight teams have made it from other parts of the world. On Saturday, at least eight more European teams could join Brazil, Argentina, United States, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ukraine and Germany.
Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands need only to avoid defeat, while France and Sweden will qualify with victories. Poland could get there without even playing and England and Croatia may qualify with victories if other results go the right way.
The Italians, who have a five-point lead in Group 5, are on the verge of qualifying for the 12th time in a row and 16th in total, although the last of their three triumphs was in 1982. Portugal also is five points clear and will be confident of beating soccer minnow Liechtenstein at home even without Barcelona midfielder Deco, who is suspended.
After nine Group 1 victories and a tie, the Netherlands goes to the Czech Republic with a four-point lead and needs to avoid defeat in Prague. Coach Marco van Basten says the Dutch team's performance against the Czechs, who also are among the leading contenders from Europe, will be a good test of its chances of winning the title for the first time.
The French go to Switzerland and, while Israel is idle with just one game left, Ireland visits Cyprus. France, the 1998 champion showing signs of decline, can capture a place in the finals by beating the Swiss despite the absence of injured strikers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet.
Poland holds a five-point lead over England in Group 6 and will go through if Sven-Goran Eriksson's team, stunned by last month's 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland, fails to beat Austria at Old Trafford. If England wins its final two games against the Austrians and Poles, however, Eriksson's team finishes top.
World Cup Betting Odds by Bodog Sportsbook
England -600
Austria +1000
Draw +440
Czech Republic +125
Netherlands +187
Draw +200
Prediction: Expect Holland and England to destroy Czech Republic and Austria and book their place in next year's World Cup.
*Check BODOG for the latest Odds on World Cup Soccer Qualifiers 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup Schedule Odds to win 2006 FIFA Football World Cup
Last edited:
