PhoenixDzine

The race for first place promises to be an enthralling tussle as Group E pits together three sides – Norway, Slovenia and Switzerland – in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking top 30.

Favourites in a group featuring “four genuine football nations” according to coach Bert van Marwijk, the Netherlands cannot expect to have everything their own way.

Group E in Asian qualifying is likely to be a battle for first place between Iran and Qatar, while much-changed Bahrain and Indonesia face a tough challenge to reach the final round of qualifiers.

Group G includes three serious candidates for an automatic berth at the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014: two-time participants Greece, Slovakia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.