Russia
I think that Russia have to work hard not to concede a goal as Slovenia have all to play for. Hiddink may use Semshov and Semak as defensive midfielders. I would like to see Pogrebnyak or Sychev lead the front line with Alan Dzagoev and Andrei Arshavin in support. Bystrov is in top shape right now and will be useful down the right wing. In defense, I think that Hiddink should field different fullbacks in order to close Slovenia’s flanks.

Slovenia
Slovenia will work hard to score a goal in order to progress on away goals. They will likely field an attacking formation to try and break the Russian defense.

My Prediction: SVN 1-1 RUS

I think that this will be a very close and nervous game for both sides. Slovenia will score and Russia will pull one back.

Russia
Russia, in my opinion played well for a home side but could have preserved the two goal lead. I think that the fullbacks Zhirkov and Anyukov did not play their best game. I felt they did not cover the flanks well enough. Anyukov’s performance was dismal when he failed to cover the cross that led to Slovenia’s goal. The midfield operated superbly and Dinyar Bilyaletdinov certainly deserves an applause for his two goals. Up front I think Pavlyuchenko lacked a lot of firepower. Sychev or Pogrebnyak may have been more appropriate choices.

Slovenia
Slovenia played much stronger than I expected especially in the second half. In the first half Slovenia’s defense was a bit disorganized which allowed Russia to score. The midfield and forward lines did not get the ball forward enough to cause major problems for Russia. In the second half Slovenia came out with much improved form but still lacked the ability to get the ball forward and service the strikers. However, Nejc Pečnik headed in after the ball deflected off Igor Akinfeev.

Thats all I have to say for now. Enjoy the second playoff leg in Maribor, Slovenia.

Russia
I think Russia go into the game with plenty of confidence and momentum. I think that majority of the squad is in top form now. My only concerns are strikers Pavlyuchenko and Kerzhakov. They are not performing at the top of their game in their clubs and could slow down the Russian firepower. However Hiddink has Sychev and Pogrebnyak as backups.

Slovenia
Slovenia go into this game having snatched second place above the Czech Republic and Poland. I think they will be looking to score an away goal in Moscow. In Maribor, Slovenia will try to score a goal and then go on the defensive to see out a 2-2 draw and advance on away goals.

My Prediction: RUS 2-1 SVN

I think Russia will attack to score a few goals but Slovenia will pull one back.

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

RUS 0-1 GER
The game in Moscow was dominated by Germany. I think that Hiddink fielded the proper lineup but they could not break the German discipline and overtake them. Hiddink used a classic 4-4-1-1 formation and with Arshavin and Kerzhakov up front. However, Hiddink’s mistake was to put Pavlyuchenko on the field for Kerzhakov. Pavlyuchenko is clearly out of form due to his lack of playing time at Tottenham. Pogrebnyak who gets plenty of playing time in Stuttgart would have been a more ideal replacement for Kerzhakov.

AZE 1-1 RUS
With a playoff spot secured, I was not surprised Russia drew with Azerbaijan in Baku. Hiddink clearly fielded an experimental squad. Players like Aleksei Rebko and Aleksandr Burharov made their debuts for the national team. I think this is very beneficial for the Russian team as it rejuvenates the squad and allows for a bit of internal competition which forces better work ethic from the players. Russia also seemed to have gotten on the back foot after scoring and allowed Azerbaijan to equalize.

Play-off
I think that Russia were lucky in drawing with Slovenia. Slovenia are probably the easier of the four teams but did achieve a few upsets including a 3-0 home victory over Poland and 2-0 away victory over Slovakia. I hope that Hiddink bolsters the defense for the first leg and goes for a more attacking formation in the second leg.

Thats all I have to say for now, I look forward to your comments.

Russia
Russia go into the game with plenty of momentum from their previous qualifiers and may have the edge playing in Moscow. The circumstances surrounding the game are very similar to the Russia-England game back in 2007. However, it is important to note that Germany is stronger than England in 2007. Given the squad, Guus Hiddink is likely to field a squad similar to the previous qualifiers the the exception of Denis Kolodin. As for Kolodin, I think the Berezutski brothers provide excellent cover. Another notable absentee is Gabulov but Hiddink has replaced him with Spartak’s Soslan Dzhanayev. I am concerned about the form of Pavlyuchenko, but he has had an unusual pattern of scoring for country while being unfit for his club.

Germany
Like Russia, Germany go into this game having won their last five qualifiers. Also Germany won the first game in Dortmund a year ago. Low like Hiddink has a fully fit squad and a full house of regulars. I do have to point out however, Germany have not been able to find a consistent goalkeeper for the number one spot. I think this makes Germany vulnerable to strikers like Arshavin, Kerzhakov, and Porgrebnyak.

Prediction: RUS 1-1 GER

I think that both teams look even, which will result in a draw.

Enjoy the game, look out for a another post after the game.

Russia
In my opinion the match started in Wales’ favor but slowly began to turn. Russia began to gain the edge and took the lead through Semshov. In my opinion the Semshov-Zyrianov partnership in the center of the midfield proved to be a dominating force. One thing to note was the unusual role for Sergei Semak as a left midfielder and the absence of Dinyar Bilyaletdinov. In defense, Hiddink once again proved that he knows the best back up players as Renat Yanbayev showed a excellent cover for Yuri Zhirkov. I also feel that James Collins could have been better marked in order to prevent the goal from being scored. Up front, Kerzhakov and Arshavin constantly switched sides to provide dangerous passes and run-ins into the Welsh box.

Wales
From my point of view, this was not Wales’ best game. I feel that they gave too much pace for the Russian attack to operate. On the positive side however, Caig Bellamy and Joseph Ledley provided very dangerous threats which were quickly countered by the Russian defense. Towards that end, fatigue could be seen in the Welsh defense as they could not keep up with Pavlyuchenko as he scored the third and final goal.

In the big picture, I think that with this momentum Russia can look to their meeting with Germany is Moscow with confidence and momentum. I think the Russian team will be a formidable opponent for Germany and it will surly be reminiscent of the Euro 2008 qualifier against England in 2007.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Russia
Russia come in to this game after a 3-0 home victory over Liechtenstein. Arshavin has also been declared match fit and Hiddink is likely to insert him in the same 4-4-2 lineup which defeated Liechtenstein. With Zhirkov and Kolodin out, the back line will likely consist of Anyukov, Vasili Berezutski, Ingashevich, Bilyaletdinov. I think that Bilyletdinov should be used in a more attacking position and Alexei Berezutski as a left back. However Alexei Berezutski has been relegated to the bench since Euro 2008 following injury and poor performances. The only major loss in the midfield is Denisov who will be suspended after receiving a caution against Liechtenstein but Hiddink may replace him with Alan Dzagoev. The front line will likely feature Arshavin and Kerzhakov or Pavlyuchenko. Both Kerzhakov and Pavlyuchenko had great performances against Liechtenstein. Pogrebnyak and Buhkarov provide cover but will likely feature if Russia chase the game.

Wales
Wales come in to this game having lost three of five of their last qualifiers as well as a friendly loss to Montenegro. It must be noted that only victory will keep Wales’ campaign intact. A draw or defeat will see them eliminated. Im not sure what formation they will use nor the make up of their squad. However the return of Craig Bellamy, James Collins, and Danny Gibbidon will certainly boost the confidence of the Wales squad. Wales will also have the motivation of playing at home. But it is questionable if that will be enough to over come the Russians.

My Prediction: WAL 1-2 RUS

I believe that Russia will overcome Wales after a suspenseful match. Wales are a tough team in Cardiff but the likes of Zyrianov, Bilyaletdinov, Arshavin, and Pavlyuchenko may overwhelm them.

I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

In my opinion this was a dress rehearsal for the crucial qualifier against Wales in Cardiff. I do believe the Russian team functioned brilliantly without Yuri Zhirkov and Andrei Arshavin. The latest details suggest Arshavin will be match fit while Zhirkov is still a doubt. One interesting aspect of the game was Bilyaletdinov playing as a left back in place of Zhirkov. Since Euro 2008, I have wondered what happened to the A. Berezutski, Kolodin, Ignashevich, V. Berezutski/Anyukov back line? This lineup worked really well in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and I think Hiddink revert to it incase Zhirkov is unavailable and use Bilyaletdinov is a more attacking position.

Anyway I’ll make this a short blog and stay on the look out for a preview ahead of Wednesday’s qualifier against Wales.

Everton have been linked with signing at least one Russian player this summer. First They were linked to center-back Sergei Ignashevich in June and then midfielder Vladimir Bystrov a few days ago. I was surprised by this move because Bilyaletdinov was a highly established player at Lokomotiv and stated his allegiance to the club in January 2008 amidst a speculated move to Chelsea. I also did not see the British or Russian press speculating that Bilyaletdinov would leave Lokomotiv. Nevertheless, the this will be a positive move for him, Everton, and the Russian national team. Everton will benefit from his services on the left side in a midfield consisting of Neville, Cahill, and Arteta. I also think that he would be very effective in the attacking midfield role behind Jô and Saha. But which ever role David Moyes decides to use Bilyletdinov, I believe he will have a positive impact on the team.

Thats all I have to say for right now, I will post another entry for the upcoming qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales. I look forward to reading your comments.

Once again my apologies for the absence.

Russia
Russia have a favorable record going into this game and most of the players are in peak form as the Russian Football Premier League is in full swing while their western European counterparts are only warming up. I think Hiddink will likely play a 4-4-1-1 formation to counter Maradona’s 4-3-3. The lineup will likely look similar to that which defeated Finland 3-0 in Helsinki in June. This will also be a time to allow CSKA’s young talent Alan Dzagoev to cement his place in the national team. Hiddink will likely want to attack more and take the game to the Argentine half. Hiddink will also be relieved to know that Lionel Messi is not likely to feature after suffering a late training injury.

Argentina
While Maradona has a headache with Messi’s absence, I would not write off the Argentines as they can be equally dangerous with Deigo Milito and Sergio Agüero up front. As previously mentioned, Maradona is likely to play a 4-3-3 which will make the Russian defense to stay focused. The defense is likely to be tasked with containing the striking duo of Kezhakov and Arshavin. But I think that Argentina may need to learn from this game in order to survive their remaining four qualifiers.

My prediction: RUS 2:1 ARG

I think that this will be a tight match in the beginning with both sides scoring but the likes of Arshavin, Dzagoev, and Kerzhakov will probably wear down the Argentine defense for the home team to score a late winner.

I look forward to reading your comments.