England and Russia in a blockbuster Euro 2008 Qualifier

English supporters will have their hearts in their mouths as they try to qualify for the lucrative Euro 2008 tournament. They face the Russians who they defeated 3-0 only a month ago. This is a completely different scenario though because Russia has its back to the wall and is at home.

The English team is up and running, but injuries to key players and mental fragility can curtail the hopes and wishes of a nation. Russia needs the win to stay alive in the qualifying tournament. They currently have three games in hand and are 5 points behind the English who are in second place. Losing will effectively hand the English a place in the Euro Tournament and condemn Russia back to the growing list of teams who are almost there, but not quite good enough, However if they can snatch a win with England facing top of the table Croatia in the penultimate round, they have a good chance of qualifying.

The match will be played in near freezing conditions, and how the English side can adapt to the harsh environment of a Russian afternoon will be a key factor in which way the game swings. Injuries will also have a large effect on the English, with John Terry, David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Ledley King, Kieron Dyer, Emile Heskey, Gary Neville as well as Owen Hargreaves and Scott Parker with either injury clouds or definite injury problems that will rule them out of this match.

The x-factor for each team is in their strikers, With English pair Wayne Rooney and Michael Own coming back from injury. Owen has been in rare form lately with 4 goals from 3 games in International Football and if they can gel together the Russian defense will struggle to repel them. On the other hand, Russian strikers Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Andrey Arshavin have had a turnaround since last time these two foes met and have been in good form. With the English team ravaged by injury and Paul Robinson fast earning a reputation as a laughing stock in net, these two could pose problems.

The Verdict:

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I firmly believe that the Russians can cause an upset in this match with nothing to lose and everything to prove at home. England can play some breathtaking football at times. But with a manager best suited to a lower premiership team, injury problems and the famous ability of the English Soccer team to fall apart at the slightest hint of pressure the Russians can pick up a famous victory and perhaps seal Steve McClarens fate.

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