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Euro
Qualifier 2008 - 17 Oct 2007
Azerbaijan v
Serbia. Wednesday 19:00
The Serbs are in disarray following a pitiful performance in
Armenia. Having also dropped points in Kazakhstan, it's their
results against the minnows that are to blame for their lowly
position in Group A. Qualification now looks a long-shot, with
Portugal three points clear in second place.
Morale is low in the Serbian camp, and you have to wonder how
motivated they will be, considering the position they now find
themselves in. Azerbaijan, and in particular their Serbian-born
striker Branimir Subisic will relish the opportunity to inflict more
misery on a familiar opponent.
It was a 2-1 victory over Serbia four years ago, which announced
Azerbaijan's arrival on the big stage. That result came four months
after a stunning 2-2 draw in Belgrade. The Serbs got some sort of
revenge with a 1-0 victory last September, but the winning goal was
a long time coming.
Bottom line is, Serbia are in desperate form, and look far too
short to beat an Azerbaijan side who are clearly somewhat of a bogey
side. The basement side produced a spirited defensive display with
ten men, to limit Portugal to just two goals at the weekend. They
can go one better against the demoralised Serbs.
Recommendation: 4pts Azerbaijan
+1.25 @ 4/5. Stan James.
Ilunga
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