SEPT 7: WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

IT'S Fabulous Friday as the Road to Rio kicks off with almost a full set of World Cup qualifiers.

There are bound to be a few draws and few closely-fought games as countries size each other up as they start a marathon journey towards Brazil.

Nations such as France, Russia, England and Italy are of course pretty short-priced favourites to launch their campaigns with three points. I'd be tempted to throw them all on an accumulator that pays a biggest £41.30 with BetVictor. And that's ignoring the likes of Germany and Portugal who are much shorter.

Singles worth looking at include Greece away to Latvia and Switzerland at Slovenia. Greece as usual will be tough to beat and at Euro 2012 showed they can also grab a goal or two. The Greeks are a best 21-20 with William Hill.

Switzerland failed to qualify but have notched some impressive results recently including a 4-2 win in Croatia and just before the Euro finals a 5-3 defeat of Germany. They are 17-10 at William Hill.

Games that look tight include Kazakhstan against a Republic of Ireland side that's lost the likes of Shay Given, Damien Duff and Darron Gibson after a disappointing Euro 2012 finals. However, boss Giovanni Trapattoni's record is good in qualifying and he will look to the likes of Shane Long and Robbie Keane to break down a dogged defene.

Ireland are a best 4-5 Betfred and a 1-0 win looks the call here.

Wales begin Group A at home to favourites Belgium and it's a game that will show if the visitors are the real deal. Belgium possess starts such as Eden Hazard, Meroune Fellaini, Vincent Kompany and Moussa Dembele.

They're all great players but as a team they failed to reach Euro 2012. However, two defeats in two years suggests they could be the next big thing and Belgium at 10-11with Coral and William Hill to make a winning start in Cardiff to what looks a tough group, also including Serbia, Croatia and Scotland.

England go to Moldova without the likes of Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll so this could be where boss Roy Hodgson is happy to take a 1-0 or 2-0 win and head back to the airport. Hodgson should certainly be looking to keep a clean sheet against a side who haven't scored in their last five games and are 1-1 at Ladbrokes to do so.

Russia tackle Northern Ireland at home and you have to fear for Michael O'Neill's men. The Russians will be out to make up for this shock Euro 2012 exit after a flying start and new boss Fabil Capello has rung the changes with Andrei Arshavin one of the big-name casualties.

Alan Dzagoev is still there of course and was Russia's star man at the finals. Consider Capello's side -2 goals at 8-5 with Paddy Power and look at Dzagoev to score first at 9-2 with Paddy Power.

France are 4-7 at BetVictor and William Hill away to a Finland side that conceded three in a friendly to Northern Ireland last time out and Italy, 8-11 at William Hill, should take care of business in Bulgaria.

Recommendations

Belgium
(10-11, Coral, William Hill)

Greece
(1-1, bet365, Coral)

England to win to nil
(1-1, Ladbrokes)

Fourfold

France

Russia

England

Italy

Pays a biggest £41.30 to a £10 stake at BetVictor

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