
As nations prepare for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Malta face a difficult away tie against the Czech Republic in Group B. Malta just lost their last match against Italy but their performance was encouraging for coach Pietro Ghedin who will be demanding another supreme effort against the Czechs.
England boss Roy Hodgson has injury problems ahead of his world cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland. Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs is the latest player to pull out of the England squad after picking up an injury against West Ham.
Giovanni Trapattoni says he could be missing a number of key players for the Republic of Irelands world cup qualifier against Germany on Friday.
Defending world champions Spain should be expected to see off the challenge of Belarus in their Group I match while Russia’s game against Portugal is expected to be a tight encounter.
Following Fernando Alonso’s exit from the Japanese Grand Prix on lap one, McLaren say the Ferrari driver is now under real pressure from Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettal and even Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari however say they are totally focused for next weekend’s Korean Grand Prix.