LONDON, Oct 11: The road to the 2014 World Cup continues on Friday with a number of important European zone qualifiers that see former champions Spain, Germany and Italy taking on unheralded nations as they bid to avoid sizeable shocks en route to Brazil.

A club side from Belarus caused one of the biggest surprises in Champions League history last week. Now, the country’s national team has a chance to spring another against world champions Spain.

Belarus, without a point from two Group ‘I’ games and the world’s 87th-ranked team, host Spain in Minsk.

The Spanish have won their last 23 qualifying matches, stretching back more than five years, but are wary of their opponents in light of BATE Borisov’s 3-1 victory over German club Bayern Munich in a Champions League group match on Oct 2.

“BATE are a team that look to hit on the counterattack,” said Spain defender Javi Martinez, who played for Bayern in their loss to a side containing several Belarus internationals. “Because they have so many BATE players in the squad probably they will play in a similar way.”

A win for Spain would bring Vicente del Bosque’s team level on points with France, who aren’t in action on Friday, ahead of their highly anticipated meeting on Tuesday.

Italy and Germany have similar matches to Spain’s, ones they should easily win but that on occasions provide a bolt from the blue.

The Germans travel to injury-hit Ireland looking to make it three wins from three in Group ‘C’ and Euro 2012 runners-up Italy visit unknowns Armenia in Group ‘B’.

Germany’s Mario Goetze and Lukas Podolski are nursing minor knocks but will be fit for the Dublin clash, however, defender Mats Hummels is out and captain Philipp Lahm is suspended.

“Even despite the missing players we can handle any absence because of our team’s strength,” said assistant coach Hansi Flick, whose outfit host Sweden next Tuesday.

Italy have four points from two matches as they travel to Armenia, before returning to Milan and an equally important match against a Denmark team that drew 0-0 against the Czech Republic in their only match so far.

“I’m sure we won’t make the same mistakes as we did in September, but against Armenia we have to have commitment, because it will be a hard, physical encounter,” said Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.

Group ‘B’ is one of the most open pools. The Czech Republic are looking to return to the World Cup for the first time since their only appearance in 2006, while an improving Bulgaria team battled back to draw 2-2 against the Italians.

Michal Bilek’s Czech side host Malta on Friday before a big test next Tuesday, when Bulgaria come to Prague just days after hosting Denmark.

Elsewhere, England and the Netherlands should pile up the goals in home matches against San Marino (Group ‘H’) and Andorra (Group ‘D’) respectively.

Another of Friday’s biggest battles will be in Moscow, where Fabio Capello puts his perfect record as Russia coach on the line against Portugal. Both teams are on six points and are already five clear of the chasing pack in Group ‘F’.

In another intriguing encounter, Belgium — many pundits’ outside tip to shine when the soccer carnival rolls into Brazil in two years’ time — go to Serbia in the finely balanced Group ‘A’, which currently has those two sides and Croatia in a three-way tie for first place.

British duo Wales and Scotland also do battle in Cardiff in Group ‘A’ hoping to gain the upper hand and put themselves in an improved position for Tuesday’s bumper round of matches.

Friday’s fixtures (all times GMT): Group ‘A’: Macedonia v Croatia, Serbia v Belgium (both 1830), Wales v Scotland (1845).

Group ‘B’: Czech Republic v Malta (1600), Armenia v Italy (1700), Bulgaria v Denmark (1800).

Group ‘C’: Kazakhstan v Austria, Faroe Islands v Sweden (both 1600), Republic of Ireland v Germany (1845).

Group ‘D’: Turkey v Romania (1730), Netherlands v Andorra, Estonia v Hungary (both 1830).

Group ‘E’: Albania v Iceland (1700), Switzerland v Norway (1830), Slovenia v Cyprus (1845).

Group ‘F’: Russia v Portugal (1500), Luxembourg v Israel (1900).

Group ‘G’: Liechtenstein v Lithuania (1730), Slovakia v Latvia (1815), Greece v Bosnia-Herzegovina (1845).

Group ‘H’: Moldova v Ukraine (1800), England v San Marino (1900).

Group ‘I’: Finland v Georgia (1530), Belarus v Spain (1800).—Agencies