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While England are off to the Ukraine trying to keep their unblemished qualifying record going, the Republic of Ireland will be embroiled in a momentous game in Dublin against the Italians. Both games are of equal importance for all of the parties involved, and make up two of the most interesting games happening on Saturday in World Cup 2010 European Qualifying.

The Republic of Ireland need to beat Italy in order to stay in with a chance of claiming top spot from them. The incentive of topping the group will be drilled into them, by the Italian that is in the Irish camp, manager Giovanni Trapattoni. A win for the Irish would close the gap at the top to one point, and make for a cracking night on Wednesday, with that top spot up for grabs. As much as the Irish can do themselves a favour by beating the Italians, topping the group is something which may still be out of their own hands. They will require Italy to slip up in their final game on Wednesday, which is a home fixture against minnows Cyprus. Even if things do not go their way on Wednesday, by beating the Italians, the Irish will be safe in the knowledge that they have second place wrapped up. The Irish are at home to Montenegro, and will still be looking to pick up points to make sure they are among the best 8 of the 9 second placed teams which go into a playoff.

All of the teams finishing as group Runner’s-Up will have their results against the team which finishes bottom of their respective groups, wiped out, and any points gained therefore, taken away. This is because Group 9 only had five teams as opposed to the six in all of the others. Because the teams in Group 9 all played a game less, there weren’t as many points up for grabs. This is FIFA’s complicated way of levelling the playing field. It all boils down to, the more points the Irish can pick up against Italy, the safer they will be. Georgia are bottom of the group at the moment, who the Irish have beaten twice, so that technically puts them on 10 points, the threshold for Group 9 runner’s up Norway. However, if Montenegro lose against Georgia and finish bottom, then Ireland will lose only the 1 point gained in a draw against them, plus whatever happens on Wednesday when they play them.

Betting Tips:
Playing against Italy, even at home is going to be a tough ask for the Irish. The World Champions have been their usual efficient selves throughout qualifying, and will be hard to break down. They only need a point to secure top place in the group.
Ireland to win: 13/5 at Stan James
Draw: 2/1 at BetFred
Italy to win: 6/4 at Blue Square

Look for a Draw No Bet - Ireland 5/4 at SkyBet. It will give a little security on your money, while backing the home side.

England’s opponents, the Ukraine, need nothing less than a win to keep their hopes alive. They need the three points so that they can leap above Croatia into second place. With both Croatia and the Ukraine having easy last games, this is the Ukraine’s last chance to take advantage of the game they have in hand over the Croats. As England have proven throughout the qualifying tournament, they no longer appear to be a pushover under Capello. The English will go into the game as favourites, and striker Wayne Rooney, who is leading the goal-scoring charts in European Qualifying, has been public with his thoughts that the whole of England, as well as they players want to see them win all of their games. Capello does not seem to be the type of person who will sit back on laurels. The game can be watched live online with a funded account with Bet365.

Betting Tips:
England can score goals, they have proven that, and they have done so away from home. This one has the feel of a tight game, but an Asian Handicap of England -1 at 7/2 with Bet365 could offer a nice reward should they keep the goals flowing and bag two or more.

Ukraine to win: 9/5 at Stan James
Draw: 13/5 at William Hill
England to win: 6/4 at Bet365

Rooney anytime scorer: 11/5 at Coral
Lampard anytime scorer: 7/2 at Paddy Power
Andrei Shevchenko anytime scorer: 13/5 at Paddy Power