World Cup 2014 play-off: Greece v Romania match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s World Cup qualifier at the Karaiskakis Stadium

Greece have been in outstanding form of late, winning their last six games without conceding a goal whilst scoring seven times. Romania’s chances were dented when captain Vlad Chiriches suffered a broken nose playing for Tottenham against Newcastle in the Premier League – ruling him out of the game.

The 2004 European champions won eight of their 10 qualifiers missing out on automatic qualification due to goal difference, after finishing level on points with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group G.

Romania, who have not featured at the finals since they appeared at France 1998, will be without striker Adrian Mutu, Romania's joint-leading record goalscorer, after he was omitted from Victor Piturca's squad.

KICK-OFF: Friday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Greece 1 (Karagounis) Romania 3 (Torje, Tanasa, Chipciu), International, November 2011

Romania 0 Greece 1 (Giannakopoulos), International, August 2002

Greece 3 (Nikolaidis, Giannakopoulos, Konstantinidis) Romania 2 (Dragan, Tanasa), International, May 2002

STATS…

Only Spain (three) conceded fewer goals than Greece (four) in qualifying.

Greece amassed more points than any other second-placed side in the European qualifying groups.

Romania have won 17 of the 31 games played between the two teams.

ODDS…

Greece to win: 2.06

Romania to win: 4.7

Draw: 3.3

TV: Highlights on Eurosport 2 at 6am