GROUP ONE
It’s the last chance saloon for Portugal to save their World Cup dream, as they face a must-win clash in Copenhagen against group leaders Denmark, whom they currently trail by seven points. Sweden, with the same number of points as Portugal (9), are also in deep trouble and need to beat second placed Hungary in Budapest to revive their hopes.
GROUP TWO
The top-of-the-table clash sees Switzerland entertain Greece - both teams on thirteen points. Third and fourth also meet (Israel v Latvia) with pressure on both to come away with three points to keep in touch with the top two.
GROUP THREE
The Czech Republic are another team in real danger of not qualifying. Lying second-bottom in their group they make the short trip to Slovakia to face the group leaders who they trail by seven points. Barring an unlikely chain of favourable results in other games, a play-off spot looks like the best the Czech Republic can hope for. Poland will move up to second in the group if they can beat Northern Ireland at home. An Irish win on the other hand could see them top of the group by the end of Saturday if Slovakia lose.
GROUP FOUR
Guus Hiddink’s Russia can reduce the gap between themselves and group leaders Germany to a single point if (as expected) they see off Liechtenstein in their game-in-hand. Russia play Germany in Moscow on October 10 in a game which may determine the group winners. Finland are in third place, nine points behind Germany but also with a game-in-hand. Victory in Azerbaijan would still keep them in the mix.
GROUP FIVE
European Champions Spain have a home match with Belgium and a win would virtually ensure their automatic qualification for South Africa. They are six points clear of Bosnia Herzegovina in second place. Turkey, a further four points behind, are another side desperate for three points to revive a fading dream. They host Estonia who are long out of contention.
GROUP SIX
Croatia play Belarus knowing that any slip-up will open the door for Ukraine (home to Andorra, and with a game-in-hand) to prise second-place away from them. Croatia travel to Wembley on Wednesday to face runaway group leaders England.
GROUP SEVEN
If France, in second place, beat Romania at home they will close the gap on group leaders Serbia to two points. The two then meet on Wednesday in Belgrade in another potential group decider.
GROUP EIGHT
Defending World Champions Italy lead the way in group eight and travel to winless Georgia looking for three more points to keep them on course for automatic qualification. Bulgaria, in third place, must beat Montenegro at home to stay in the hunt, while second place Republic of Ireland are only one point behind Italy but have played a game more. They travel to Cyprus knowing that their destiny is in their hands and if they can match Bulgaria’s results from here-on-in they will at least qualify for the play-offs.
GROUP NINE
Well done to Holland who have already qualified for the World Cup. Macedonia and Scotland (both on seven points) meet in Glasgow while Iceland, bottom with four points, host Norway who are on six points. All four countries have realistic chances to make the play-offs, so no meaningless games here.
