International football, you love it

  Finally, we’re at the end of qualification, so I thought I’d look at the key battles in each group

Group 1

That’s the group with Portugal’s fading hopes – they are third, two points behind Sweden and have two home games against Hungary and Malta – Malta is three points guaranteed, so any hope for us opponents is in their game against 4th placed Hungary, should they win then Sweden probably need to beat leaders Denmark, a draw would put it down to goal difference, and they would need to score at least two more against Albania than Portugal beat Malta by to do that – so our best hopes are a Portugal upset at home to Hungary (Portugal are yet to win at home) or Sweden to beat their cousins in Copenhagen

Matches to watch out for:

Denmark v Sweden
Portugal v Hungary

Group 2

One of the most open groups, yet unfortunately also the worst group – Switzerland sit three ahead of both Greece and Latvia – smart money is on Greece to come second with two home ties against Latvia and minnows Luxembourg, but Latvia could cause an upset should they get a point in Greece and then beat bottom-placed Moldova at home, Switzerland are pretty much guaranteed at least second with a tie in Luxembourg, but may need a point off Israel’s visit – not too hard though

Matches to watch out for:

Greece v Latvia

Group 3

Northern Irish hopes lie with Slovakia beating Slovenia, and then a miracle when Slovenia go to San Marino, who are the worst performers in European (and possibly world) qualifying with a GD of -43, NI also need to go to the Czech Republic and somehow make up at least 5 goals – basically they need Slovakia to absolutely hammer Slovenia, who have only conceded four…and then San Marino to hold Slovenia to a draw, and beat the Czechs away – sorry, guys

Matches to watch out for:

Slovakia v Slovenia
Czech Rep v Poland

Group 4

Russia v Germany 10/10/09 – that’s it

Group 5

Spain have won already – Bosnia have a four point lead over Turkey, a win in Estonia will seal the deal for them, but they also face Spain, so Turkey can muscle in if they fail in Estonia, with a trip to Belgium and a home game against Armenia

Matches to watch out for

Estonia v Bosnia
Belgium v Turkey

Group 6

England still dominate proceedings – if they draw with or beat Ukraine then Croatia will almost certainly take second, should Ukraine win at home then they will take it

Matches to watch (online):

Ukraine v England

Group 7

Serbia are guaranteed a play-off, and are four points clear of France, but they have two straightforward home ties against Austria and the Faroes, so Serbia could do with a win over Romania at home, or Lithuania away to secure top spot

Matches to watch out for:

Serbia v Romania


Group 8

Italy have virtually secured the qualification, and Ireland are five points clear of Bulgaria with only two games left – a home win over Italy or Montenegro will do it – Italy are first though, so they may be sweating on that last game if Bulgaria win in Cyprus. Ireland are also still at risk of being the team to miss the play-offs, so need a point from that perspective as well

Matches to watch out for:

Ireland v Italy
Cyprus v Bulgaria