After beating Wales in the so-called ‘Battle of Britain,’ England have journeyed to Eastern Europe to face Azerbaijan. The one thing worse than going to Baku must be going to Baku for no reason, and Darius Vassell has little chance of getting a game, but is going anyway. In Motson parlance he is in detention, and will only let back in the classroom when the teacher is in a good mood. A 3-0 lead should do it for Sven, though with Juan Pablo Angel and Carlton Cole both doubtful for the trip to Arsenal next weekend, David O’Leary will probably hope that he remains seated.
Wales, meanwhile, have returned home to Cardiff and Mark Delaney can expect another game at centre half against Poland. The Poles are currently on six points and are therefore the dragons’ main obstacle to reaching the finals in Germany in two years (discounting talent and footballing ability, of course).
Thomas Sørenson also faces a tough game when his Denmark side host Group 2 leaders Turkey. The Villa keeper kept a clean sheet in the weekend’s win against Albania and will be hoping for a repeat performance tonight. Elsewhere in Scandinavia, Olof Mellberg’s Sweden travel to Group 8 strugglers Iceland hoping of a repeat of their impressive 3-0 win against Hungary on Saturday.
Villa Park’s South American contingent is also in World Cup qualifying action on Wednesday. Angel will be hoping to make amends for his poor finishing at the weekend to help revive Colombia’s faltering campaign, although, to be honest, a trip to Brazil probably is not the best time to mark a change in fortunes. Kaka et.al. demolished Venezuela 5-2 on Sunday, and Ulises de la Cruz’s Ecuador team should fare well when they travel to Caracas. Finally, Nolberto Solano will almost certainly return from suspension to take his place in midfield for Peru against Paraguay.