world cup Pivotal encounters in Round 14

With just four rounds remaining, it's crunch time in the McDonald's FIFA World Cup Predictor. FIFA.com takes a look at some of the big fixtures in Round 14.

Russia-Germany
Group 4 leaders Germany will travel to kids usa soccer jersey Moscow knowing that three points would guarantee their presence in South Africa. "We are devoting all our focus, energy and commitment to the match," said captain Michael Ballack in a recent interview with FIFA.com. However, a home victory would leave Russia top of the section heading into the final round of preliminaries.

Last FIFA World Cup qualifying meeting: Germany 2-1 Russia (Dortmund, 11 October 2008)
Competitive head-to-head record: Played (17): Germany (11), Russia (4), Draws Clint Dempsey Jersey Usa (2)

Denmark-Sweden
Copenhagen is set to explode when Group 1's top two meet for their 100th competitive fixture. Denmark head Group 1, three points above second-placed Sweden, with both Portugal and Hungary a further two points back. A win would, therefore, guarantee the Danes a place at next year's FIFA World Cup, but Sweden will be doing everything to beat their arch-rivals and improve their own qualification hopes.

Last FIFA World Cup qualifying meeting: Sweden 0-1 Denmark (Solna, 6 June 2009)
Competitive head-to-head record: Played (99): Sweden (44), Denmark (37), Draws (18)

Ecuador-Uruguay
With just two rounds remaining in the South American preliminaries, much rests on the outcome of this game. Ecuador are in fourth, the last automatic qualifying position, two points above sixth-placed Uruguay. El Tri have excelled at home this campaign, holding Brazil and Paraguay and beating Argentina, but they will have to overcome a discouraging statistic: they have only beaten the Celeste once in 15 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Last FIFA World Cup qualifying meeting: Uruguay 0-0 Ecuador (Montevideo, 10 September 2008)
FIFA World Cup qualifiers head-to-head record: Played (15): Clint Dempsey Centennial Jersey Uruguay (10), Ecuador (1), Draws (4)

Cameroon-Togo
Cameroon have a score to settle when they host Togo in Yaounde., having lost to the Sparrow Hawks in March. The Indomitable Lions are expected to take revenge, but an away upset is worth 99 points.

Last FIFA World Cup qualifying meeting: Togo 1-0 Cameroon (Accra, 28 March 2009)
FIFA World Cup qualifiers head-to-head record: Played (5): Cameroon (4), Togo (1)

Honduras-USA
While USA may have enjoyed victory in Chicago when these sides last met, Honduras are a tough team to beat in front of their own supporters. Los Catrachos are undefeated in their four home qualifiers, and should they manage to preserve that record against the North, Central America and Caribbean leaders, they will climb into the top two.

Last FIFA World Cup qualifying meeting: USA 2-1 Honduras (Chicago, 6 June 2009)
FIFA World Cup qualifiers head-to-head record: Played (5): USA (3), Honduras (1), Draws (1)

Round 14 fixtures (10 & 11 October)
Zambia-Egypt
Cameroon-Togo
Gabon-Morocco
Ukraine-England
Russia-Germany
Denmark-Sweden
Slovakia-Slovenia
Venezuela-Paraguay
Ecuador-Uruguay
Honduras-USA