"Despite a torrid qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 and starting so badly under new boss Sinisa Mihajlovic, Serbia have come up trumps in Group A."
With the first two European rounds of World Cup qualifying over, Christian Crowther separates the early bolters from the stutterers...
THE STRONG
Serbia
Despite a torrid qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 and starting so badly under new boss Sinisa Mihajlovic, Serbia have come up trumps in Group A. A hard earned draw against Scotland and an emphatic 6-1 home win against Wales have left them level on four points with perceived frontrunners Croatia and Belgium. They are now a tempting 4.84/1 to top the group.
Bosnia
Bosnia have racked up no fewer than 12 goals in their first two matches in Group G, winning both comfortably, and sit ahead of Greece as a result of their mammoth haul. Ok, eight of those goals came against Liechtenstein but Bosnia followed that result with a convincing 4-1 win at home to a Latvia side which had already troubled the Greeks. Edin Dzeko and co are still second favourites behind the Euro 2012 quarter-finalists at 2.245/4 to win the group.
Russia
Under new boss Fabio Capello, Russia started with a comfortable 2-0 home win over Northern Ireland and then followed it up with an emphatic 4-0 road victory over Israel. Away wins and a healthy goal difference are so important for any team harbouring group-topping desires and Russia could not have started better in those departments. Capello's charges are looking good at 2.265/4 to progress automatically from Group F.
THE SLUGGISH
Slovenia
Although not a recognised giant of European football, Slovenia will be desperately disappointed to have been the only team in Group E not to have picked up any points. It's a really open group though, with Switzerland the sole side to have taken maximum points as everyone else went on to record a win and a loss.
Scotland
If away wins are an important part of qualifying success then home wins generally fall under the essential category. Craig Levein's team have only gleaned two points from their opening two encounters after successive frustrating draws at Hampden Park. Scotland have it all to do to qualify and not surprisingly have slipped out to 20.019/1 to win the group.
Wales
Already suffering from a bruising start to the campaign, it will be hard for Wales to recover from such a humiliating defeat to Serbia. Losing to Belgium was probably acceptable given the sending off and the quality of opposition, though this latest result leaves Welsh hopes in tatters.
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