Euro 2008 qualifying is centre stage this weekend. The biggest game would appear to be in Prague with Germany - top of group D on goal difference - facing the Czech Republic. Slovakia, Cyprus, the Republic of Ireland and Wales will all be hoping to make up ground but I see this group as a two-horse race.

Greece and Turkey go head-to-head in another titanic Mediterranean struggle. Both countries have 100% records after three games and neither have conceded a goal so far. They also faced each other in 2006 World Cup qualifying and both games finished scoreless. Norway and Bosnia-Herzegovina sit third and fourth (Norway are three points behind the leaders and two ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Bosnians have played a game more) and play each other in Oslo. Norway then plays Turkey in Istanbul on Wednesday so this group could be turned on its head by this time next week.

Group A may turn out to be the most competitive of the seven groups. Two of the 2006 World Cup finalists currently sit third and fourth – Poland and Portugal – behind group leaders Finland and second place Serbia. Portugal versus Belgium (5th place) looks to be a vital one for both sides. A win for the Portuguese would make sure that they remain in a strong position while a loss for Belgium would mean that they would have already dropped 11 points and that would leave them in an impossible position.

Italy has to wait until Wednesday when Scotland will travel to Bari. Group B leaders Scotland – how strange does that sound ? – will have new manager Alex McLeish in charge for the first time against Georgia. Although the game against Italy is the glamour tie, a win over Georgia at Hampden Park is much more important. France currently trail Scotland on goal difference and have to play away to Lithuania – a tricky task I would suggest.

In Group E all eyes are on Israel against England. Much as been made of the fact that Israel have lost only one of their last 14 competitive fixtures while also drawing with the likes of France, Switzerland, Russia, and the Republic of Ireland. The never-say-die spirit of the Israeli squad has seen them fight back a number of times over the last two seasons to #### draws as the seconds tick down. A draw may again be the outcome. The Israeli loss came at home in November when group leaders Croatia beat them 4-3 in Tel Aviv. Croatia are at home to Macedonia on Saturday.

Spain are currently sitting in fifth place in Group F and they have no margin for error when they face Denmark. The Danes are four points ahead of Spain and have yet to concede a goal in their first three games. The good news is that the Spanish have an outstanding record against the Danes.  Since 1985, Spain have beaten Denmark five times, drawn once and lost only once. Sweden leads the group with a 100% record after four games and have a rest day this weekend. On Wednesday Sweden faces third Northern Ireland in Belfast. Norhern Ireland plays group whipping-boys Liechtenstein on Saturday.

In Group G the Netherlands and Romania is a battle of first versus third with both countries unbeaten. Second place Bulgaria are also unbeaten but don’t play until Wednesday when Albania are the opposition.

Romania have yet to win in eight friendly and competitive games against Holland, drawing two and losing six, while scoring just only once.

Any thjoughts and/or predictions?