Euro 2012 Qualifiers: Hungary's Big Opportunity To Edge Closer To the Dutch

Hungary vs. Netherlands

The Ferenc Puskás stadium in Budapest is going to be the location of the clash between Hungary and Netherlands, which are two teams currently scorching their Euro 2012 qualifiers. Both teams come into the match having won their last five matches, which makes this game a little unpredictable.

Netherlands do not seem to be suffering from hangover of failing at the World Cup in the final hurdle and they have won all their Euro 2012 qualifier matches till date.

Second-placed Hungary, though, look destined to provide Netherlands the best competition in the Group C after they trail the latest by just three points.

Their next away match, however, will be against Netherlands themselves, and this home encounter represents the best opportunity that Sándor Egervári's side has in order to close that gap.

The absence of Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel is expected to significantly deteriorate the options for Bert van Marwijk in the match, but he does have leading goal-scorer Klaas Jan Huntelaar fit and ready. The involvement of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie would also strengthen Netherlands massively.

Slovenia vs. Italy

Slovenia enter into the crucial stage of their Euro 2012 qualifiers just in touch with group leaders Italy. They are only three points behind Italy, and this will be their first real test following the exit from the World Cup.

It will be a measure of how far Slovenia has come in the last few years, and they face an Italian side that seems to be perfect for them in every way. Cesare Prandelli's side have recently drawn their two friendlies and they have already dropped points in the qualification stage.

With defending being a serious problem for Italy right now, they will be looking to make the most out of this away match. It could result in a dull and boring match. The previous encounters also do not suggest that this will be a high-scoring match, since the two teams have scored only one goal between them in their previous four meetings.

Zlatko Dedic seems to be the major threat for Slovenia at the moment and Italy will be targeting to keep him quiet. A victory will put Slovenia in touching distance to the top of Group C. Slovenia are also likely to be having a small eye on the match against Northern Ireland.

Spain vs. Czech Republic

Spain will be taking on Czech Republic knowing that they will have to quickly recover from their slump in form in order to reassert their status as the world champions. Following the World Cup, Spain have already suffered two defeats, even though they might have been only international friendlies.

This does not make for good reading, but what definitely does will be the form that they have been carrying in the Euro 2012 qualifiers. They have won all their matches without exception, having conceded just three goals in the process.

They will be facing a Czech Republic side that will see Petr Cech in top form. Cech's outstanding season with Chelsea might have gone unnoticed, but he will definitely be looking to stop his new teammate, Fernando Torres, from scoring against him.

The Euro 2008 was the last major tournament that Czech Republic were seen in and Michal Bílek will be looking to get his country back among the big boys starting with the match against Spain. Should Czech Republic get any points out of this one, then they would be the favourites to finish in the second place ahead of Lithuania.

Spain face Lithuania in their next qualifying match. 

Joe - livescoredaily.com - live scores