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With some crucial World Cup playoffs coming up in the next couple of days, here is a lowdown on what to expect from these clashes:
Europe (UEFA) World Cup Playoffs
Portugal vs Sweden
Unsurprisingly billed as the biggest World Cup playoff clash this week, this fixture pits two of the world’s biggest football stars against each other, with only one to emerge victorious and make the final event in Brazil. The World Cup in 2014 will be missing either Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and both players will be looking to shoulder the burden of taking their nations to South America next year.
Portugal will be heartened by their unbeaten run at home through the World Cup qualifying campaign, and will be looking to take a win back to Solna for the second leg.
Ukraine vs France
Ukraine would be feeling hard done by, having been drawn against France even after earning one of the seeded spots in the playoff draw. Going up against Didier Deschamps’ in-form Les Blues, Ukraine will need a home win to stand a chance of making their first World Cup appearance since their run to the quarterfinals in 2006.
Mykhaylo Fomenko’s side have been impressive in their group stage matches, combining adventure in attack with defensive stability. However, they might find it tough against a French side which in recent years has gotten used to qualifying for major tournaments the hard way, and have hit a good run of form in recent months.
Iceland vs Croatia
Yet to make an appearance at the World Cup, Iceland will be keen on breaking their duck when they face a Croatia side that is in a bit of a crisis, having not won any of their last four qualifiers.
If they do make it, then Lars Lagerback’s Iceland team will become the smallest-ever nation to make the finals of the World Cup. However, facing a side consisting of the likes of Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivica Olic and Darijo Srna, the hosts could struggle to take a lead with them to the return leg.
Greece vs Romania
If Greece do make it to Brazil, then they will be playing the World Cup on the 10th anniversary of their incredible 2004 European Championships title victory. To reach there, however, they will have to overcome a Romania side that did well to come second behind Netherlands in Group D.
Greece are known to be a defensive team that is tough to break down, a fact that was reiterated by Romania coach Victor Piturca after the draw. “Greece are strong opponents, they’re a well-organised team,” he said. However, the Greeks will be looking for some goals at Piraeus before making the trip to Bucharest for the second leg in a week’s time.
Africa (CAF) World Cup Playoffs
Senegal vs Ivory Coast (first leg 1 – 3)
With the Ivorians already up 3-1 from the first leg, Papiss Cisse and his Senegal team have an uphill battle on their hands as they try to make the World Cup for the first time since the 2002 event in Japan and South Korea.
The highest-ranked African team currently, Ivory Coast should be able to hold off Senegal’s attack and make their way to the final 32 in Brazil.
Nigeria vs Ethiopia (first leg 2 – 1)
Well-placed against Ethiopia after claiming a 2-1 away win, the Super Eagles hold all the aces in their bid to qualify for their fifth World Cup in their last six attempts.
Ethiopia, on the other hand, have never made the World Cup, and will be odds on to make an exit after a fighting performance through the group stages.
Cameroon vs Tunisia (first leg 0 – 0)
Tunisia were out of contention for a World Cup spot when they lost to Cape Verde in their last group match in September. However, an amazing turn of fortune, and some inexplicable ignorance by Cape Verde to play an ineligible player in that match meant that they were disqualified and Tunisia were given a second chance, a chance they could be ready to take full advantage of.
Having held Cameroon to a goalless stalemate in the first leg, Tunisia will be hoping for a score draw or a win, with either set to take them to their fifth World Cup appearance. However, a positive result away from home against the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Alex Song and Jean Makoun might be a task easier said than done.
Egypt vs Ghana (first leg 1 – 6)
In the most clear-cut of all the African playoffs, Ghana stand almost unassailable against Egypt after defeating them 6-1 at home in the first leg. Barring a massive upset, Egypt will miss out on World Cup qualification yet again, despite having won the African Cup of Nations three of the last five times the tournament was held.
Algeria vs Burkina Faso (first leg 2 – 3)
With the tie hanging on a knife-edge, Algeria will welcome Burkina Faso to Blida, hoping to score a win that will take them to their second successive World Cup appearance.
Intercontinental Playoffs
Mexico vs New Zealand
One minute away from failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, Mexico received some unlikely help from rivals USA in their bid to make the World Cup, as the Americans scored two late goals in their last league fixture against Panama to beat them 3-2, in turn pushing Mexico above Panama. Given a chance which they did not deserve, given the quality of their football in recent months, Mexico will be desperate to eliminate New Zealand and earn a final 32 spot for Brazil.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be keen on another World Cup experience after their impressive 2010 campaign, and will be hoping to keep the hosts quiet before the second leg at Wellington.
Jordan vs Uruguay
Despite the massive gulf in the rankings of the two teams (Uruguay are 6th in the world while Jordan are at 70), Jordan will be hopeful of a first-ever World Cup appearance against a star-studded Uruguay team that has at times struggled through their qualifying campaign.
Uruguay hold the aces in this two-legged tie, but home advantage could play a big role for the Asian side as they look to claim a first leg lead.
