How do you see the playoffs shaping out? Path A- Iceland vs Romania, Bulgaria vs Hungary Path B- Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Slovakia, Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland Path C- Serbia vs Norway, Scotland vs Israel Path D- North Macedonia vs Georgia, Kosovo vs Belarus My predictions Path A= Iceland vs Bulgaria= Winner= Iceland qualifies for Euro 2021 Path B= Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland= Winner= Bosnia-Herzegovina qualifies for Euro 2021; their 2and major tournament but their first Euro ever Path C= Serbia vs Scotland= Winner= Scotland qualifies for Euro 2021; their first major tournament since Euro 2000 Path D= North Macedonia vs Kosovo= Winner= Kosovo qualifies for Euro 2021; their first major tournament as an independent nation
I was really torn on Norway because I love this new crop of Norwegian players especially Haaland but then seeing them go up against Serbia, I was like this match is so even that either team could win. But I could see Norway beating Serbia though but I think Serbia will win. But as for Scotland, the reason I went with them is because Scotland haven't been in a major tournament since 2000. Plus Scotland have a whole new generation of players coming in.
I agree. Serbia v Norway is a very tight match for me. They both have new talents and but I think Norway has a more disclipined way of play. I cannot see Scotland beat Serbia neither Norway. Note: Norway has not qualified for euros since 2000
Yeah I didn't even know that but everyone lately apparently has Norway as a dark horse in European football and it makes sense because of Haaland. He's a phenom. He's something special but besides Haaland they have other players too like: King, Odegaard, etc.
Scotland haven't played in a major tournament since 1998. Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will have new managers for the playoffs. Bosnia will not be the same side without their fans in Zenica if the playoffs go ahead behind closed doors. I still find them tough to call. Still here goes. Iceland Republic of Ireland Serbia Georgia.
My picks: Hun > Bul / Ice > Rom --> HUNGARY over Iceland Bos > NIr / Ire > Slk --> BOSNIA over Rep of Ireland Ser > Nor / Sco > Isr --> SERBIA over Scotland Geo > Bel / Kos > NM --> KOSOVO over Georgia
Ooh... these are some tough ones. Have to say I'm not a huge fan of teams having home advantage for these although it's a little better at the moment without fans. *Selections in bold so there's no confusion. Serbia over Scotland. Scotland did well in Nations League last month, but Serbia away is a step too big for them imo. Georgia/Macedonia is pretty even. Georgia seems to have dipped in form as of late, I hesitate to call this one, but I'll still go with them although I think it will be close. Northern Ireland vs Slovakia is another tough one, Slovakia is a better side imo but NI is at home so it's tough. I think if I have to choose though I'll still go with Slovakia. Hungary-Iceland is an interesting one, on neutral ground I might pick Iceland but Hungary is not a bad team and I think they can handle Iceland playing at home.
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Today is the big day. The playoffs finals will be decided. Here is my take of the four fixtures with my predictions. Georgia-North Macedonia Hoeever comes out victorious out of this will have qualified for the first time for a major championship. The occasion is really big and that's why I expect here a very low-goalscoring affair. North Macedonia are still lead by oldie Goran Pandev. North Macedonia have the better players with the likes of the latter, Alioski, Bardhi or Elmas. However Georgia are a plucky side and difficult to score against on their turf. They kept there clean sheets in normal qualfying against sides like Denmark and Republic of Ireland. Georgia and North Macedonia met each other twice in this year's Nations League (both encounters finished in 1-1 draws). Both teams fielded not their best line-up. I don't see a third consecutive draw this time though. Prediction: Georgia-North Macedonia 1-0 Northern Ireland - Slovakia Both sides are not coming into this with great form. Both needed penalty shootouts in order to get here. Slovakia decided to sack their coach after the 3-2 loss to Israel in the Nations League. They will be coached by the assistant. Northern Ireland are a poor side going forward. Goals won't come easy in this. I think it might go the down to penalties once again for both teams. Prediction: Northern Ireland - Slovakia 0-0 after extra time, 3-4 after PSO. Serbia-Scotland The last time Serbia qualified for the EUROs was back then in 00 as Yuguslavia. Scotland is going even through a worse drought. The 98 World Cup was up to date their last appearance in a major tournament. They are coming into this very good in form, unbeaten in eight. However Serbia will be a stern test for the Bravehearts as they haven't faced as of late a team of this calibre. I consider Czech Republic, Slovakia and Israel not of the same strengh as Serbia. Serbia had a very difficult qualifying group with Portugal and Ukraine. In October they outplayed an upcoming Norwegian side with Haland away in Oslo but needed still extra time to get eventually the job done. The Scotish will fight bravely but the higher quality of Serbia will shine through. Prediction: Serbia-Scotland 2-1 Hungary - Iceland This is the match up where I feel a bit uncomfortable in putting forward a scoreline. Hungary is coming off a few impressive results as of late. But I feel that those results are a bit misleading and don't reflect their actual level. Iceland on the other hand is very often totally outmatched in League A. We haven't seen them playing a lot of sides that are in their level in recent times. I feel that Iceland are still able to step up and deliver the goods against an opponent of moderate quality such as Hungary. Let's not forget that Iceland is the only side in these whole playoffs that participated in the last EUROs and the last World Cup. I think they will make count here their experience in big games. Prediction: Hungary 1-2 Iceland
Looking forward to today, but why on earth didn't they stagger the games more? Geo-NM at 12 noon (EST) and the other 3 games at 2:45 pm makes no sense. It would have been easy enough to schedule them over 2 days (yesterday and today) with 2 time slots each day, so we could watch all 4 games. Idiots!
Not sure what the official reasoning was but Wednesday afternoon is a bit early considering players only arrive to camp on Monday. Gives them only one day of training ahead of possibly the biggest match in a decade for the NT. Even Thursday is a bit early but they don't have much choice. FYI, for 2012 Euro qualifying playoffs all 4 matches kicked-off within 45 minutes of each other so at least you can watch 2 matches live.
I've made my personnel schedule. I will watch all four games. Georgia - North Macedonia and Hungary - Iceland live. Later tonight Serbia - Scotland as replay and lastly Northern Ireland - Slovakia tomorrow as replay. I will make sure that I don't get spoiled by the results so I can even enjoy the replays.