World Cup 2010 European Qualifier: 10 More Spots Up For Grabs

Mid-October is when the European nations give their final battle for a place in World Cup next summer. The 13 best countries from Europe will become eligible to play in the World Cup 2010, which consists of 32 teams.

England, Spain, and Netherlands have booked a ticket to next year's World Cup. So who else will qualify from the remaining 10 spots available?

The group winners of the nine groups in the qualifier will advance automatically to the World Cup and the eight best runner-ups will be drawn into the playoffs, where the four winners will advance to the finals as well.

Since there are only five teams in Group Nine, one less than the other groups. When calculating the best runners-up, therefore, matches played against the sixth-placed finishers in Groups One to Eight will not be taken into consideration.

Denmark are currently leading in Group One with 18 points, three points more than second-placed Sweden and five points more than Portugal and Hungary.

Will the Portuguese make a late comeback and qualify automatically? Or will the 2006 World Cup semi-finalist need the lottery of playoffs to qualify?

Portugal play Hungary next, the team they had beaten 1-0 away from home recently. Playing at home against Hungary in 10th October 2009 is a must-win encounter for the Portuguese, especially when Denmark and Sweden go head-to-head on the similar day.

Besides Sweden, Denmark also have to play against Hungary in their final qualifying games which will not be easy at all.

Sweden and Portugal shouldn't have any problem collecting maximum points against Albania and Malta respectively.

Therefore, the key lies in the Denmark-Sweden and Portugal-Hungary encounter. My bet would be both Portugal and Denmark making the top two, the order is hard to predict though.

In Group Two, Switzerland are sitting at the peak with a three-point cushion over Greece and Latvia but I wouldn't say the lead is a comfortable one. While a trip to Luxembourg shouldn't be a problem, the following game against Israel at home could be tricky.

The Israel's other game is against bottom team Moldova. Winning both games could see the Israelis making the playoffs.

Fortunately for Switzerland, Greece and Latvia will go head-to-head on 10th October. Greece and Latvia will then play winnable matches against Luxembourg and Moldova.

My prediction is, Switzerland to qualify automatically. It's hard to tell whether Greece, Latvia or Israel will come second though.

Slovakia have a five-point lead over Slovenia and Northern Ireland currently and face difficult matches against Slovenia and Poland in mid-October.

Czech Republic are currently behind leaders Slovakia by seven points. In order to at least get a chance in the playoffs, the Czechs need to beat both Poland and Northern Ireland at home.

The other remaining fixture is a winnable one for Slovenia, a trip to San Marino who have conceded 44 goals so far, scoring only once.

The key in this group lies in the Slovakia-Slovenia encounter. Slovakia should be able to at least earn a draw and therefore, they are my pick to qualify automatically. Either Czech Republic or Slovenia will finish second and could play in the playoffs.

Group Four is only between Germany and Russia. Due to the numerous points both teams have accumulated, whoever finishes second will make the playoffs for sure.

Therefore, the match between Russia and Germany in Moscow on 10th October will decide who qualifies automatically and who goes into the playoffs.

Spain have already qualified as Group Five winners. Bosnia are currently second with 16 points and Turkey in third with 12 points. Unfortunately for the Bosnians, they have to play against Spain in their final match.

But as long as Bosnia beat currently fifth-placed Estonia in Tallinn on 10th October, finishing second in the group shouldn't be a problem at all.

Like Spain, England have also won all eight qualifying matches played and have secured a place in South Africa. Both Croatia and Ukraine are fighting for the second spot. Croatia have 17 points with only one more game to play. Ukraine have 15 points but have two more games to go.

Croatia's last game comes against Kazakhstan and getting three points whouldn't be a difficult task. And fortunately for Croatia, Ukraine have to play against England in one of their two final matches. But Fabio Capello will surely not allow his men to take things easy despite qualified already.

Hence, Croatia will make the playoffs.

Serbia are currently top in Group Seven with 19 points, four ahead of second-paced France. However, the French could snatch the top spot from Serbia with a winnable game against Faroe Island and a home advantage against Austria in their final matches.

Serbia face a tricky encounter against Romania and fourth-placed Lithuania. Serbia only need a win to qualify automatically.

Therefore, France are likely to need to play in the playoffs.

In Group Eight, Italy are four points ahead of second-placed Republic Ireland. Both teams play against one another on 10th October. Italy and Republic Ireland will then play winnable matches against Cyprus and Montenegro at their home turfs.

So, should Republic Ireland beat Italy on October 10th, Italy should still be able to qualify automatically.

Republic Ireland should be able to finish second then, unless they fail to collect any point from their final two matches, and if Bulgaria beat Cyprus and Georgia.

All the matches in Group Eight have been played. Netherlands won all eight, finished top, and qualified for World Cup automatically. Second-placed Norway are unlikely to make the playoffs with only 10 points.

Assuming that six points are deducted from the eventual runner-ups of Group One to Eight, it is still near impossible for the Norwegians to make the playoffs and have a slight chance of qualifying for the World Cup next year.

The accuracy of my predictions will be judged come mid-October this year. Who do you think will and will not qualify for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa?