World Cup Qualifying Predictions: 10/15

While Friday's matches were more of an appetizer, today's matchups are the main course, dessert, and meals for the next couple days.  Eight of the sixteen teams involved in Euro 2012 are facing off against each other and that doesn't even tell the whole story.  Friday's predictions were so-so with two correct wins.  Although the other three weren't correct, at least a loss did not occur when a win was predicted.  But I pride myself in having a better win percentage.  So expect more winners from these picks below.

UEFA

Italy v. Denmark, Group B, 2:45 PM: They aren't necessarily in desperation mode yet, but Denmark suffered a disappointing draw against ten-man Bulgaria on Friday and sit in fifth place in Group B.  The road doesn't get any easier as the Danes travel to the San Siro to take on the Azzurri.  Despite sitting on top of the group, Italy hasn't been tested so far with their toughest match, away to Bulgaria, resulting in just a draw.  Denmark will easily provide the Italians toughest test to date in Group B and because it is at home, Italy will pass.  Prediction: Italy 2-0

Germany v. Sweden, Group C, 2:45 PM: Germany showed on Friday in their 6-1 demolition of Ireland that they are as good as any team in the world at their top form.  Now they take on the other undefeated team left in Group C in the Swedes.  Sweden avoided embarrassment erasing a one-goal deficit to beat lowly Faroe Islands 2-1 and keep pace with the Germans.  Germany will be without Mats Hummels for the second straight qualifier so Holger Badstuber and Per Mertesacker will be in charge of neutralizing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  Ibra might find the back of the net, but Sweden's back line won't be able to stop the German offensive attack.  Prediction: Germany 3-1

Romania v. Netherlands, Group D, 2:00 PM: Not many people would have thought this fixture would be for first place when the groups were announced.  Romania have won their first three matches in Group D including a 1-0 win at Turkey on Friday and will look to make make another splash with a scalp of the Dutch.  No easy task however.  The Netherlands rested many of their starters on Friday including Robin van Persie for this match and are reasonably healthy outside of Arjen Robben.  That should be enough for them to survive their trip to Transylvania.  Prediction: Netherlands 3-0

Poland v. England, Group H, 3:00 PM: Roy Hodgson has said he will make six change to his starting XI from the team that beat San Marino. Six!  Looks like Ashley Cole will return to the fray but your guess is as good as mine for who the other five will be.  Poland will be without one of their best players in winger Jakub "Kuba" Blaszczykowski, who will hence forth be referred to as Kuba so I don't have to type that ever again. That's a major loss for a Polish squad that already lacks depth.  England never makes it easy on themselves but they'll win an ugly one to stay on top of the group.  Prediction: England 2-0

Spain v. France, Group I, 3:00 PM: Does this have a knockout stage ring to it or what? Maybe it's because Spain and France faced off in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 and the Round of 16 in World Cup 2006.  The defending champs are clearly the better team but are facing a bit of the crisis on their backline with both Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol out with injuries.  Sergio Ramos might not be available either leaving Vicente Del Bosque with limited options at the back.  France has their own problems but the main one is their current form.  Les Bleus dropped a home friendly to Japan on Friday and although that's far from a bad loss, it's not what you want leading into such an important match.  Didier Deschamps still hasn't found the right formula for this France team and whether he wants to play physical or free flowing.  Couple that the fixture being in Madrid and Spain will get a leg up in Group I.  Prediction: Spain 3-1