Serbia vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Northern-Ireland-c2972: Euro 2012 qualifiers – Preview
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vladimir-c36322 Petrovic’s Serbia will take on Nigel Worthington’s men at the Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade in a Euro 2012 qualification game on 25 March, 2011.
The match will be played behind closed doors after fans clashed with the police in Serbia’s last home game with Italy at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa.
Serbia
The Serbians are currently placed fifth in the Group C of the campaign with only four points. They have won only one of the four matches played in the qualifying campaign and lost two, drawing one. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Serbia-c3002 have scored five goals so far but conceded seven
in the process.
It is a must-win situation for the Serbs as another loss would further diminish their chances of qualification. The home side’s only win came against the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Faroe-Islands-c2896 side which they won 3-0.
Serbian team’s recent record has also been poor as they have won two of the last five matches and lost two. The two wins came against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bulgaria-c2861 but they have been without a win in the last three matches.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland are fourth in the Group C qualifying table with five points behind the likes of Italy, Slovenia and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Estonia-c2894. The Green and White Army are unbeaten so far in the campaign and have won one of the three clashes while drawn two.
The only win for the Irish came against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Slovenia-c3008 whereas the draws came against Italy and Faroe Islands. The visiting side’s recent form has been good and they are yet to taste defeat in their last four matches.
Team News
Serbia
Nicola Zigic is doubtful for the clash which could turn out to be a huge blow for the Serbians as he is the top goal scorer for the White Eagles in the competition. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marko-Pantelic-c24209 and Zoran Tosic are expected to start in the attack with support from the
wings from Milos Krasic and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aleksandar-Kolarov-c4475 are also expected to play a part in the match.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s all-time highest goal scorer, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Baird are also
expected to start.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dejan-Stankovic-c10793
The Internazionale veteran will be expected to lead his side to a crucial win. The captain will be looking to secure the points against a depleted Irish side to remain in contention to qualify for the Euro 2012.
David Healy
Healy has scored 35 goals for his country and has been a pivotal part of the national team in the last few years. He will be expected to score and add to the already impressive tally of goals and multiply Ireland’s chances of qualification.
Prediction
Serbia are expected to win this clash and beat the Irish, who are without key players in the match. A 3-1 win for the home side is expected as many experienced players are starting the match and they are likely to end Northern Ireland’s unbeaten run.
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