World Cup 2010 Qualifying Betting

Two goals from Kerzhakov and a third from Zyryanov gave Russia an easy win away at the gunshy Finland. They now look primed to qualify for South Africa 2010.

Guus Hiddink impressed everybody in England during his brief spell as Chelsea manager which culminated with the Dutchman lifting the FA Cup at Wembley. He has returned to coach Russia in an attempt to lead them to South Africa 2010 and I think he can continue his good spell by guiding the Euro 2008 semi-finalists to victory over Finland on Wednesday.

Russia were not in action on Saturday but they get the chance to put further pressure on Group 4 leaders Germany with a win in Helsinki and I think they'll get one. Finland are an improved outfit under English coach Stuart Baxter these days but they come up against a very talented side and the 1.80 on offer with Coral about an away win looks more than fair.

A win on Wednesday would put Hiddink's men just a point behind the Germans and they will have fond memories of playing Finland having already thrashed them 3-0 in Moscow back in October. Andrei Arshavin was on target then and his partnership with Roman Pavlyuckenko is a strong one. The pair are ably supported by the likes of Zhirkov and Zyrianov and I think they'll have too much for a side that laboured to victory over Liechtenstein in the latest round of matches.

Russia's only defeat in qualifying so far came at the hands of the Group 4 leaders Germany and while there remains some doubts about their resillience away from home enough of their stars are based in mainland Europe these days that I don't think it will be too much of a problem. Russia also have a fantastic record against Wednesday's opponents down the years, winning 11 times in 15 matches and are yet to taste defeat.

I expected Russia to be closer to the 1.65 mark to secure victory and their class can tell. They are as short as 28/1 to lift the trophy next summer and that is a good indication of the gulf in class between the pair. Baxter's side are not even quoted in most lists and appear to already be playing for pride.