Group F preview: Capello wants focus

Russia tops Group F by three points from Portugal after a perfect start, and it is heavily favoured to collect three more points in Moscow.

However, Capello wants his team to retain its focus and edge against a team which has one point from two matches, having drawn at home with Israel.

"Nine points is a great start, but it's only the beginning of the qualifying," Capello told the Rossiya 2 television station.

"It's a good start, very important in terms of psychology, important for the team and the fans. But now we must fully concentrate on Tuesday's game.

"Many think that this game would be easy, but I have a different opinion. I'm sure that Azerbaijan is an opponent who deserves some respect ... We have to decide the outcome of the game in the opening minutes, instead of thinking that we'll score sooner or later. Russia would need to be aggressive and persistent from the start."

Portugal is also expected to add another three points to its haul in straightforward fashion as it takes on Northern Ireland in Porto.

The Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is due to win his 100th international cap in the match, only the third Portuguese to do so after Luis Figo and Fernando Couto.

He is also in irresistible form this season, with 14 goals in 11 club outings to date.

The shoulder injury that threatened to delay his landmark appearance is not as bad as initially feared and he is now certain to start at the Dragao Stadium.

Ronaldo could be expected to fill his boots against a side ranked 117th in the world, but coach Paulo Bento does not expect anything to come too easily.

"As for the Northern Irish, I have said they are an aggressive side, especially defensively," he said.

"They are an aggressive team and a strong team, very tough in one on ones and duels and they have a good spirit, which is typical of the Irish."

Northern Ireland, like Azerbaijan, has just the one point to its name so far, as does Luxembourg.

The latter travels to Tel Aviv to take on Israel, which is third, two points behind Portugal.