World Cup Qualifiers and English League action

It really is a big weekend for France and the Republic of Ireland. They face each other in a World Cup play off – the winner of which over the two legs will take one of the last four European spots at next summers tournament. The first leg takes place in Ireland on November 14, the second in France on the 18th. There are real problems in the French camp with boss Raymond Domenech under immense pressure to success, while in Ireland the mood is bright and they believe they have a good chance to make it next summer.

The French have a much stronger squad, of that there is little doubt, but they are without star man Franck Ribery due to injury. In their qialifying campaign the Irish were unbeaten and were within a whisker of beating Italy before a last gasp equaliser ensured a point for the Italians in Ireland. This is a big call, but I think the Irish might just nick it at home. I’m not sure they’ll come out on top over two legs but with their fans behind them and some real belief they can do it at home, at 3.3 (9/4) they definitely seem worth a nibble to me.

Russia and Slovenia meet in their own World Cup play-off (same dates as the Ireland V France ties) and in a slightly less ambitious call I reckon the Russian’s will easily win at home on Saturday. Slovenia impressed in their qualification campaign and were just beaten to the top-spot in the group by Slovakia but I can’t see them getting anything in Russia. At 1.39 (2/5) you won’t see a massive return on your investment but it looks a pretty safe bet to me.

My final pick comes from the English League One where high-flying Colchester take on Exeter. The game is at Colchester and I reckon the home side will take this one with ease. Colchester have won six of their seven games at home and have lost just once, while Exeter have picked up just four points on their travels this season. You would expect Colchester to be heavy favourites but I actually think the odds on the Colchester win of 1.65 (4/6) are pretty good and they’re definitely worth some consideration.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting horse racing tips and the Grand National 2010 for Betfair.