B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of October 9-13

Ian RodgersOct 8, 2014

The international weekend gives our Bleacher Report experts a break from the club programme.

We have selected competitive matches only for predictions, which means the focus is on the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, rather than Brazil's friendly against Argentina and the USA vs. Ecuador.

Spain face a test in Slovakia, while world champions Germany are in Poland. The Netherlands face an intriguing tie in Iceland, but there should be few problems for England at home to San Marino.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale will be in action for Wales against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Do you agree with our experts' opinions? Let us know in the comments below.

Slovakia vs. Spain

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Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press

Alex Livie: Slovakia 1-2 Spain

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

Spain are in a period of transition, but they should still have enough to see off Slovakia.

Karl Matchett: Slovakia 1-3 Spain

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

Spain are looking quietly impressive after a slight change in personnel. They’ll have too much for Slovakia to cope with over the 90 minutes.

Sam Tighe: Slovakia 0-2 Spain

First goalscorer: Andres Iniesta

Spain's XI is a mystery given injury concerns and selection possibilities, but the one constant is Andres Iniesta.

Will Tidey: Slovakia 0-3 Spain

First goalscorer: Cesc Fabregas

All eyes are on Diego Costa, but there aren't many midfielders in better form than Fabregas right now. He'll inspire Spain to victory here.

Michael Cummings Slovakia 0-2 Spain

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa are in blistering form for Chelsea. Why shouldn't that continue with the national team?

Jerrad Peters: Slovakia 1-3 Spain

First goalscorer: Pedro

Slovakia and Spain each won their first Group C matches, and they actually drew 1-1 the last time they met in Zilina. But La Roja have a point to prove following a disastrous World Cup and will win comfortably on Thursday.

Alex Dimond: Slovakia 0-2 Spain

First goalscorer: Pedro

It remains to be seen just how experimental Vicente del Bosque gets with his side, but they should win with some ease.

England vs. San Marino

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Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Alex Livie: England 6-0 San Marino

First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney

San Marino are an international minnow for good reason and will be put to the sword by England.

Karl Matchett: England 5-0 San Marino

First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney

Welcome to the dullest, most uninspiring 5-0 game ever seen.

Sam Tighe: England 6-0 San Marino

First goalscorer: Jack Wilshere

Hodgson to start Wilshere, enraging Wenger, but reaping the rewards with an opening goal.

Will Tidey: England 5-0 San Marino

First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney

Regulation fodder for England here, with Rooney to exercise his frustration at club suspension with a hat-trick.

Michael Cummings: England 3-0 San Marino

First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck

No real chance of losing here, but as this is England we're talking about, this one could be a bit nervy a bit longer than it should be.

Jerrad Peters: England 5-0 San Marino

First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck

England were 8-0 winners the last time they faced minnows San Marino and won 5-0 in their last meeting at Wembley. They’ll replicate that scoreline on Thursday.

Alex Dimond: England 4-0 San Marino

First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney

It could be a flat evening at Wembley, livened only by Wayne Rooney's desire to fill his boots as much as possible as he aims to become England's all-time leading goalscorer as soon as possible.

Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Stu Forster/Getty Images

Alex Livie: Wales 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

First goalscorer: Gareth Bale

This is a huge match for Wales, and their superstar player can inspire them to victory.

Karl Matchett: Wales 1-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina

First goalscorer: Vedad Ibisevic

Wales realistically need to get a result here at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who will be wounded after a shock failure to beat Cyprus. That will spur on the away side to get a much-needed win of their own.

Sam Tighe: Wales 1-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina

First goalscorer: Edin Dzeko

Wales don't look good, and Aaron Ramsey is out. Dzeko to lead.

Will Tidey: Wales 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

First goalscorer: Gareth Bale

A win here would be huge for Wales, and Bosnia and Herzegovina's opening loss to Cyprus will give them confidence. All about Bale, obviously.

Michael Cummings: Wales 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

First goalscorer: Gareth Bale

A Bale free-kick golazo to get Wales going before Bosnia and Herzegovina rescue a road point.

Jerrad Peters: Wales 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

First goalscorer: Edin Dzeko

Wales struggled to see off Andorra in their Euro 2016 qualification opener, but Bosnia and Herzegovina did one worse—losing at home to Cyprus. Incidentally, Wales have never beaten the Dragons.

Alex Dimond: Wales 1-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina

First goalscorer: Edin Dzeko

No Aaron Ramsey means big problems for Wales. Defeat won't run their qualification hopes, but a home point would have been a big help.

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Poland vs. Germany

4 of 6

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Alex Livie: Poland 0-2 Germany

First goalscorer: Thomas Muller

The world champions can prove too strong for Poland, with Muller adding another goal to his national tally.

Karl Matchett: Poland 0-2 Germany

First goalscorer: Thomas Muller

Germany weren’t hugely impressive against Scotland, but they will still have too much for Poland to hold out against.

Sam Tighe: Poland 1-3 Germany

First goalscorer: Thomas Muller

This one's not as fun now that Klose's retired, but Muller picks up where the legendary Germany left off.

Will Tidey: Poland 1-1 Germany

First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski

Poland will not be rolled over easily by Germany. I fancy a draw here, with Lewandowski inevitably on the scoresheet against his Bayern Munich team-mates.

Michael Cummings: Poland 1-3 Germany

First goalscorer: Thomas Muller

Muller scores. Germany win. We all know how this goes.

Jerrad Peters: Poland 1-2 Germany

First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski

Germany edged Scotland in their Group D debut, while Robert Lewandowski scored four goals for Poland in a 7-0 romp of Gibraltar. He’ll find the back of the net again in this match, although Germany should be able to do enough to return home with a win. These two sides have drawn their last two matches.

Alex Livie: Poland 1-1 Germany

First goalscorer: Mario Gotze

Poland look to be better than recent seasons and could well come away with something against their old rivals.

Iceland vs. Netherlands

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Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Alex Livie: Iceland 0-2 Netherlands

First goalscorer: Robin van Persie

The Dutch need a win following their loss to the Czech Republic. They will get it in Iceland.

Karl Matchett: Iceland 1-4 Netherlands

First goalscorer: Arjen Robben

Iceland almost qualified for the World Cup in the last batch of qualifiers, so they’ll have hopes of running the Euros close too. They won’t get points from this game, though.

Sam Tighe: Iceland 0-1 Netherlands

First goalscorer: Arjen Robben

Robben will net the only goal of the game in a much harder task than generally anticipated.

Will Tidey: Iceland 1-3 Netherlands

First goalscorer: Robin van Persie

The Dutch need a win badly here, having lost their opener against the Czech Republic. Robin van Persie has struggled somewhat with Manchester United this season, but I predict he'll come good with two goals in a win.

Michael Cummings: Iceland 1-2 Netherlands

First goalscorer: Kolbeinn Sigthorsson

I think the Netherlands will win this game, but I think Iceland—who beat Turkey 3-0 in their first qualifier—will give it a go, maybe even taking a surprising lead.

Jerrad Peters: Iceland 2-2 Netherlands

First goalscorer: Kolbeinn Sigthorsson

The Netherlands got off to a poor start in Guus Hiddink’s return to the national set-up, losing their Group A opener 2-1 to the Czech Republic. Iceland, meanwhile, thumped Turkey 3-0. They’ve got the Dutch at the best possible moment.

Alex Livie: Iceland 1-2 Netherlands

First goalscorer: Arjen Robben

The Dutch need to get back on track at the first available opportunity, but Iceland will not make it easy for Guus Hiddink and his men.