Euro 2012 Qualifying, Group F Preview, Picks: Croatia Looks To Break-Open Group In Israel

Last month, Croatia and Israel had a chance to put some distance between themselves and the rest of what's developed into Euro 2012 qualifying's deepest group, but Israel's draw at newly plucky Georgia and Croatia's inability to get three from Greece means only Malta are without reason for hope. While Croatia and Israel are atop the group on four points, Latvia is only one point back, with Georgia and Greece having draw both their matches.

• Georgia versus Malta, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, Friday - Georgia's off to a great start, having drawn both at Greece and at home to Israel. Now's their chance to make-up points, with Malta coming to Tbilisi. Georgia has struggled lately against Malta, losing 2-0 in their last meeting, but a promising group of young players have Temuri Ketsbaia's team ready to push on. Now the group headed by Jano Ananidze (17, W, Spartak Moscow) must to show they can respond to expectations.
• Greece versus Latvia, 2:45 p.m. Eastern, Friday - Having already been drawn at home by Georgia, Greece can ill-afford to unexpectedly drop points to Latvia. Unfortunately, Fernando Santos will be without both Georgios Samaras and Nikos Liberopoulos, the latter responsible for the late equalizer against Georgia on September 3. The coach will be hoping 19-year-old Ioannis Fetfatzidis can help in Samaras's stead. The last time these teams met, Theofanis Gekas had four goals in leading Greece to a 5-2 win. With only one player in his team who has more than eight international goals, Santos lacks that kind of firepower in the current squad.
• Israel versus Croatia, 3:05 p.m. Eastern, Saturday - Israel will be without their best player and captain, Yossi Benayoun, who tore his Achilles tendon earlier this week. The injury is a huge blow to Israel's hopes of qualifying for their first major tournament since 1970. While the Israelis will still be difficult to beat at Ramat Gan, this match looks less like a danger point for group favorites Croatia and more of a chance to deal a heavy blow to one of the nations that could have challenged to qualify.