The Euro 2008 qualifiers take over the weekend and the most interesting ties involve England at Israel and Scotland at home to Georgia as well as the historic match at Croke Park between the Republic of Ireland and Wales.

England cannot travel to Tel Aviv with any real confidence after four games without a win and just one goal.

Israel are no world-beaters but you have to remember that Steve McClaren’s side have drawn 0-0 at home against Macedonia and lost 2-0 in Croatia, shocking results for the former Middlesbrough boss who is a hairsbreadth away from totally losing the support of the public.

Israel are a formidable side at home, they have lost just one game in their last six which leads us to think  that England may have to settle for a draw which Betterbet.com offers at 2/1.

We will go for glory at Hampden Park and add that draw to high-priced Georgia to stump Alex McLeish in his first match as Scotland boss.

The Scots are top of Group B after four games but many think that Walter Smith got out at the right time when he departed to take over at Ibrox for the second time.

McLeish’s appointment was arguably one of convenience and he is under pressure to get all three points against Georgia before they travel to Bari to play Italy.

The visitors have lost three of their four qualification games but have beaten Uruguay and Turkey in their last two friendlies.

We have a hunch that the 6/1 that Betterbet.com offers for the Georgia win will turn out to be the best bet of the weekend.

A triple is perhaps pushing it, given the risk we are taking with Georgia, but if you are feeling lucky then the Republic at 8/13 should nudge their way past Wales in the first ever soccer match played at Croke Park.