Twenty two teams plus the host nation South Africa have already secured a spot in next summer’s World Cup Finals. Three more countries from the Africa federation will join the select group this weekend as group play concludes.

There are also six play-off matches scheduled over the next five days and the winners will complete next summer’s roster. New Zealand and Bahrain have already played the first leg of their play off while the other five matches, four in Europe and one between South America and CONCACAF, will play a home and home series.

In all likelihood goals will be at a premium, particularly in the first legs, as countries try to ensure that their World Cup dreams do not dissipate in ninety minutes. That places huge pressure on the players expected to score the goals.

The Best....

Only seven games into the season and Wigan have already experienced some incredible swings in performances and results. Saturday was certainly one of the highs when they put previously unbeaten Chelsea to the sword.

A couple of weeks ago Vito Mannone had to pick the ball out of his own net twice in the first four minutes of Arsenal’s Champions League game away to Standard Liege. But since then the young Italian keeper has turned back all comers. On Saturday he was the difference between a three points for Arsenal and possibly none at all. He pulled off a handful of excellent saves that left Fulham frustrated.   

Louis Saha goal against Portsmouth was a great example of lethal finishing. Saha took a long pass down – it looked as if it was with his cheek