This weeks footie forecasts...

Last updated : 27 March 2005 By Pat Nevin

Going completely against my dear Nan's teachings, I'm ready to put my faith in foreigners for this weeks footie forecasts.

Can I just ask that people stop suing Dov because of these picks?...he's run out of money and is now having to pay of his debt by selling himself down the docks for two bob a time. Its not right.

LEICHTENSTEIN +2.5 Home v Russia @ 1.78 with Pinnacle

Its not often that you get a chance to put your faith in one of the minnows of European football, but the odds look good here for one of the big improvers in International football on the handicap.

Leichtenstein have already stunned the Portuguese by taking a point in Vaduz, and while its a huge ask to see them do that again, they'll certainly offer the Russians a sterner test than they might have in recent years. Captain Marin Stocklasa will be missing for the hosts, which is a huge blow, but perhaps more significant is the loss of Los'kov and starlet Zhirkov for the Russian, depriving them of two superb creative options in midfield.

So a Russian win is certainly on the cards, but they might struggle to win by atleast three, which only one team (Turkey) has managed in the last 11 games in Vaduz.

REP OF IRE (0:0 Asian Handicap) Away v Israel @ 1.80 with Interwetten

Another nice bet here, as two unbeaten sides go head to head. A full strength Ireland will be determined to grasp atleast a draw as they pursue automatic qualification in Tel-Aviv, while the Israelis too will look to build on good result v Cyprus, Switzerland and France.

It is Ireland though, with Duff, the two Keane's et al who are technically superior, and even with talented individuals such as Youssi Benayoun, the mostly home based Israel side will struggle to compete as a team.

Ireland to win for me, with the stake returned if the match ends in a draw.

SWEDEN (0:0 AH) Away v Bulgaria 3 UNITS @ 1.90 with Interwetten

Time to bite the hand off the bookies at these odds. Even without Larsson, Ibrahimovic and Ljunburg offer a wealth of attacking options, and they face a Bulgarian side struggling under Hristo Stoichkov and not helped by injuries to numerous key players, in particular Stan and Martin Petrov, and Fiorentina's striker Valeri Bojinov. Much of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov, but he will struggle to get much change out of a tight Swedish back line.

A win for either team will propel them to pole position in the group, and Sweden will be out to protect a record which involves just one defeat in their last 17 matches, while Bulgaria will be backed by a sell out crowd in Sofia.

I, and numerous Bulgarian followers, struggle to see a Bulgarian win here, so a big bet on the level ball handicap.

LAY ARGENTINA Away v Bolivia @ 1.97 with Betfair(.97 units liability)

Bolivia are 0-0-6 away from home in the South American qualifying section which largely contributes to their bottom of the table status, but their home form remains as good as ever.

The two important factors here are:

- Altitude: La Paz is about 12000ft above sea level, and while the home team are used to the unique conditions, Argentina and indeed most visiting teams find it hard work to take anything away from Bolivia. The Argentinians havent won in their last three games in the Bolivian capital, and Brazil, Chile, Colombia and almost all other international sides have struggled in recent years.

- Argentina will be happy with a point, and in order to protect their players for the more important game V Colombia on Wednesday, will field a completely second string line up, resting all the European superstars.

So regardless that its a top v bottom clash, the value lies in laying Argentina here.