6 World Cup Qualifiers (Europe) To Watch This Weekend

1. Poland vs Montenegro (Group H)

5 points separates the top four nations in Group H and leaders Montenegro have played a game extra than the three teams below them. The competitiveness between the four nations could ruin their chances of making it to the playoff round with the lowest point-scoring runners-up not making it. England who currently sit in second position are not in a playoff position but with a game in hand on all of the other eight nations. Montenegro were hammered 4-0 at home by Ukraine in their last qualifier back in June which effectively keeps Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland in with a chance of winning the group. Don't be surprised if head coach Waldemar Fornalik goes all out for the win in this one to reduce Montenegro's lead to 2 points €“ this is Poland's final home match and still have to travel to Ukraine and England (and San Marino). Robert Lewandowski is the Polish team's star but hasn't been as prolific at international level as he has in the German Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund teammate Jakub B‚aszczykowski is in the squad but ukasz Piszczek is a few months away from returning following a hip operation over the summer. The Premier League provides all three of Poland's goalkeepers: Artur Boruc (Southampton), ukasz Fabia„ski (Arsenal) and Wojciech Szcz™sny (Arsenal). Montenegro who were in England's qualifying group for Euro 2012 started that qualification campaign off brightly with three successive 1-0 victories before failing to win any of their last five games and celebrating a 2-2 draw with England like they'd qualified for the tournament. Branko Brnovi‡'s side picked up 13 points from a possible 15 to start this campaign but it's just 1 from their last two games with a draw at home to England prior to that aforementioned heavy defeat. Manchester City's Stevan Joveti‡ is one of the stars whilst Fulham's new signing Elsad Zveroti‡ is the only other Premier League representative. These two nations opened the group with a 2-2 draw in Poland. I would expect both teams will be a little desperate for the win in this one with what's at stake. From an English point of view, please don't win, Montenegro.