It’s your weekend form guide and predictions with SunSport’s Jim Munro. He’s always a safe bet
ADAM LALLANA was just a few centimetres away from extending his impressive run of goalscoring for England in midweek.
The Liverpool midfielder put in another breathless performance in the 1-0 defeat by Germany and has impressed all season while playing for his country.
Lallana’s blistering run and shot just after the half hour mark looked as if it had produced his fourth goal in four games for the Three Lions.
But the ball whipped back into play from the base of keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s far post.
It was the closest that Gareth Southgate’s men came to breaching Germany’s defence and was the first time that Lallana had failed to score while playing for England this season.
His last-minute goal secured a 1-0 win in Slovakia in September’s World Cup qualifying showdown and after missing October’s internationals through injury he was on the mark again when he returned for England’s 3-0 Group F win over Scotland on November 11.
A few days later he scored from the penalty spot to give England an early lead in the 2-2 draw with Spain. After his near miss in Germany, Lallana is in the right form to add to his goal tally against Lithuania.
He is due a goal too. Since netting Liverpool’s opener in the 4-1 win over Stoke on December 27, Lallana has played 15 games for club and country without a goal.
That could spell danger for the visitors and make Lallana a good bet to be among the scorers on Sunday evening.
Lithuania have had a blank look on their travels recently. They failed to score in the 3-0 midweek defeat in the Czech Republic and lost their last qualifying game 4-0 to Slovakia in November.
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Friday, March 24
Republic of Ireland v Wales (Group D, 7.45pm)
Both teams are unbeaten after four games but Ireland are the table toppers with 10 points following three wins and a draw, while Wales are four points behind in third.
There will be no chance of Ireland trying to protect that lead by playing it safe.
Assistant manager Roy Keane said: “If you think our mindset going into the game on Friday night at the Aviva is a draw, then you are sadly mistaken. We're here to win.”
Wales haven’t won any of the last six matches between the two, their last success being a 1-0 friendly victory back in February 1992.
Gareth Bale and co will be looking to put that right to build on the momentum gained from their exhilarating run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Bale missed their last clash, a 0-0 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium in August 2013 but should be fit for selection along with Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey.
In 13 previous meetings, both countries have five had wins each with three draws.
Jim’s prediction: Bale to lead a Wales smash and grab for an away win.
Sunday, March 26
England v Lithuania (Group F, 5pm)
See above.
Jim’s prediction: No nasty surprises, England to remain on course for Russia 2018 with a home win.
Northern Ireland v Norway (Group C, 7.45pm)
Michael O’Neill’s team are tucked nicely in second spot behind group leaders Germany and a key to their strength has been a solid defence which has helped protect three clean sheets in the last five games.
That made the 3-0 defeat by Croatia last time out all the harder to bear, especially as it ended a 10-game unbeaten run at home.
A surprisingly under par Norway have lost five of their last six games, the only win coming against San Marino in October and in that 4-1 victory they allowed their opponents to score their first away goal in World Cup qualifying for 15 years.
That prompted the appointment of former Iceland boss Lars Lagerback in February.
If you’re looking for an outside bet for a goalscorer, West Brom’s Chris Brunt likes the odd pot-shot at goal, as he proved in November’s 4-0 win over Azerbaijan.
Norway haven’t enjoyed an away win since beating Bulgaria 1-0 in September, 2015.
Jim’s prediction: Northern Ireland to blow away the disappointment of the Croatia defeat with a home win.
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Scotland v Slovenia (Group F, 7.45pm)
It was the wrong kind of boos being dished out in midweek as Scotland stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Canada - ranked 117 in the world - in the international friendly.
But there should be a few changes to personnel for this vital qualifying tie.
Steven Naismith’s first-half equaliser against Canada was just the second goal Scotland have scored in their last four games.
