N Ireland(ac 0-0)

N Ireland can follow up an excellent performance in Poland by taking over top spot with the win here.

A draw at the weekend was a fine result for Worthingtons men. Possibly they should have grabbed the second goal when in control of the match but in the end a draw is what they needed and it sets them up perfectly for this top of the table clash.

Steven Davis was outstanding once again. Ive said before he is the most talented player in the spl and he is starting to prove it with his displays at ibrox and with the national side.

What i think may have pleased N Ireland fans most was the performance of the back 4. It is the one area of the team you look at and think these are not the most well known players or playing at the highest level. But it was rock solid, very well organised and gave the Poles little space to attack.

Slovakia top the group with 5 wins from 7 games, a fine return in any section. Maybe, like N Ireland, its not a team we would have expected to be going for top spot but from what i have seen of them they have deserved these results. It is a side who like to attack and 19 goals is good going in any world cup group.

The 2 sides met at the very start of the group and to be honest Slovakia should have taken it by more than 2-1.

Vittek is player i really like, he is smashing striker with a beautiful touch who will need to be watched very carefully. Im a bit surprised he is not playing at a bigger club than Nurnberg but then maybe he is happy there and thats why he produces the goods so often.

I have to say i dont rate Skrtel of Liverpool at all and believe he is the weak link in defence. I expect N Ireland to target him and put him right under pressure from the 1st kick of the ball.

It will be close with possibly just 1 goal winning it. But i believe N Ireland, roared on by those fantastic fans can get it. It would be no surprise if that man Healy was the hero. He seems to save his goals for nights like this and the most vital games at windsor park.

N Ireland to beat Slovakia (asian handicap 0-0) with sj at 1. 83