Midweek friendly previews

The Euro 2012 odds are slowly starting to take shape for next year’s competition, and some of the leading contenders for the trophy are playing friendly’s tonight.

Former World Champions Italy face current World Champions Spain at the Stadio Olimpico. The Spanish start as favourites for the friendly and will also start as favourites for next years European Championship.

The Italians have fallen in the FIFA world rankings in recent months but are top of their European Championship group.

The Azzurri have won five out of their six qualifying games so far. The game against the Spanish will be a major challenge though.

The World Champions Spain have became the dominant force in the world game. The Spanish style of play is now admired all around the world and teams are attempting to mirror their style. Spain have a 100% record in their European Championship qualifying campaign.

This game should be one of the more interesting to watch this week. Two European giants going face to face against each other. Spain would have to be favourites because the Italians are in something of a transitional period and the Spanish seem unstoppable at the moment.

One of the most glamorous friendly’s of the week is Germany’s home fixture against the Samba Boys of Brazil at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This really is a game to set the imaginations following. The exciting young German team up against a new look Brazilian side.

Germany are currently ranked 3rd in the FIFA world rankings after finishing third at last summers World Cup in South Africa. Its their highest position in the ranking since 1994. And Joachim Low’s side have stormed their Euro 2012 group with seven wins out of seven.

Brazil on the other hand are just recovering from a poor showing at the 2011 Copa America, where they went out in the quarter-finals of the competition. Under Mano Menezes there is a sense of rebuilding amongst the Brazilian squad.

He faces the problem of many a Brazilian boss trying to fit individuals into a team. He does however have at his disposal two of the brightest young players in world football, Ganso and Neymar. The pair are considered the next superstars off the Brazilian conveyor belt.

Although the duo lack experience they are now regarded as the players to build a team around. If Menezes can get the mix right then Brazil will be an exciting team to watch in times to come. At the present moment though they are very much a work in progress.

Germany will go into this match as favourites due to their recent displays and recent impressive form. However you can never write the Brazilians off and this will prove to be a fascinating encounter.

Elsewhere Republic of Ireland host Croatia at the Aviva Stadium. The Irish have had some impressive results in recent games including a 2-0 victory over former World Champions Italy. And they are still in with a chance of qualifying for Euro 2012.

The Croats are also still in with a chance of making it to next years competition. They are currently just one point behind group leaders Greece. This should be another good game for the neutral to watch. The should start to shape up after these friendlies.

Tonight promises to be a feast of football with other friendly games also taking place. These friendlies should serve as a good indicator of what can be expected during Euro 2012 next year. Even with England’s game against Holland being called off there is plenty on offer for the football hungry fan. I know which game I’ll be glued to.

Which game will you be watching tonight?