Group A
Serbia v Macedonia (19.30)Scotland v Croatia (20.00)
Belguim v Wales (20.00)
What can happen? Belgium are assured qualification, while Croatia are hopeful of securing one of the eight play-off spots with a victory. Wales and Scotland both need to win to guarantee that they avoid the ignominy of finishing last in the group.
Denmark v Malta (19.15)Bulgaria v Czech Republic (19.15)
Italy v Armenia (19.45)
What can happen? Italy are guaranteed first place and World Cup qualification. In the battle for second, Bulgaria appear to be in the driving seat. Denmark need to either get a better result than the Bulgarians or win by at least seven goals or more than Bulgaria manage against Malta. Czech Republic also have a minor chance of going through if they beat Bulgaria and Denmark fail to overcome Malta. In the most unlikely scenario of all, Armenia could come second if they win by four more goals than the Czechs and provided the Danes drop points against the Maltese.
Group C
Ireland v Kazakhstan (19.45)Swede v Germany (19.45)
Faroe Islands v Austria (19.45)
What can happen? As you probably know by now, Germany have qualified as group winners. Meanwhile, Sweden’s win over Austria last week means they are guaranteed a play-off spot. The other group positions are also effectively decided — Ireland can only finish third if they beat Kazakhstan by a considerable number of goals and Austria lose to the Faroe Islands.
Group D
Hungary v Andorra (19.00)Romania v Estonia (19.00)
Turkey v Netherlands (19.00)
What can happen? The Netherlands have qualified comfortably as group winners by now. Meanwhile, Turkey, Romania and Hungary can still all potentially earn a play-off spot. Romania need to better Turkey’s result or make up their +4 superior goal difference. If both those teams slip up, Hungary could steal second spot with a win over group minnows Andorra.
Group E
Cyprus v Albania (17.00)Norway v Iceland (19.00)
Switzerland v Slovenia (19.00)
What can happen? Switzerland have qualified for the World Cup, while Iceland and Slovenia face a battle for a place in the play-offs. Iceland simply need to match Slovenia’s result to finish second.
Group F
Portugal v Luxembourg (18.00)Azerbaijan v Russia (18.00)
Israel v Northern Ireland (18.00)
What can happen? This group is effectively decided. The only way Portugal can prevent Russia from finishing first is if the latter lose to Azerbaijan and they simultaneously reverse the +7 goal difference between the teams. Northern Ireland could finish last in the unlikely scenario of Luxembourg getting a better result than them.
Group G
Greece v Liechtenstein (18.00)Lithuania v Bosnia and Herzegovina (18.00)
Latvia v Slovakia (19.10)
What can happen? It’s a two-way battle for automatic World Cup qualification between Greece and Bosnia, with the loser guaranteed the consolation of second. Greece cannot realistically match their rivals’ goal difference, so they’ll be hopeful of bettering their result. Otherwise a place in the play-offs beckons for Fernando Santos’ men.
Group H
England v Poland (20.00)Montenegro v Moldova (20.00)
San Marino v Ukraine (20.00)
What can happen? England are guaranteed a spot at next year’s World Cup provided they beat Poland. If they fail to do so however, Ukraine could steal top spot with a win over San Marino. Montenegro can still mathematically come second. However, they would need to overturn a +12 goal difference and hope Ukraine lose.
Group I
Spain v Georgia (20.00)France v Finland (20.00)
What can happen? Spain are guaranteed a place at next year’s World Cup if they avoid a loss against Georgia. Consequently, France will likely have to be content with second place unless a shock result occurs.
Images credit: Uefa.com
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