What to watch for in Saturday's EURO qualifiers

Group C
Spain out to make amends
Few would have questioned the assertion that one of these teams would reach this stage with a 100% record; there may have been a bit more opposition to the notion that Slovakia would be the team, though. When the two sides met in October it produced one of the shocks of this qualifying campaign, but with centre-backs Martin Škrtel and Juraj Kucka suspended, a repeat in Oviedo would be an even greater surprise. What a story it would be if Slovakia's record scorer Róbert Vittek, back in the squad after three and a half years, made the difference.
Spain v Slovakia – 20.45CET

Ukraine homing in on top two
Belarus coach Aleksandr Khatskevich summed it up nicely, saying: "We need three points, Ukraine need three points, a draw will not suit anybody." More accurately still, Belarus pretty much require a miracle if they are to bridge the eight-point gap to Ukraine in third. With top-two Slovakia and Spain meeting elsewhere, Ukraine see this as their chance to close on automatic qualification and at home they are formidable opposition: Serhiy Rebrov's men have won six of their last eight competitive home games, conceding just twice.
Ukraine v Belarus – 18.00CET

Can Luxembourg spring a surprise?
Luxembourg have claimed at least one victory in each of their last four major qualifying campaigns, and this is perhaps their best opportunity of chalking one up this time. Besart Abdurahimi's added-time goal settled the teams' first encounter, FYR Macedonia winning 3-2, though that remains their sole positive result in Group C. Luxembourg, meanwhile, have lost all five of their qualifiers since launching their campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Belarus. Still, there are signs of improvement. They caused Ukraine a few problems in June and held Moldova to a friendly draw.
Luxembourg v FYR Macedonia – 18.00CET

Group E
England record in reach for Rooney
Sir Geoff Hurst is far in the rear-view mirror, Alan Shearer was passed some time ago, and Michael Owen and Jimmy Greaves have also been ticked off. A goal against San Marino and Rooney will move ahead of Gary Lineker and alongside Sir Bobby Charlton on a national-record 49 goals; if he scores twice he will become the first Englishman to reach his half-century. It will be Rooney's 106th cap – the same number Sir Bobby played.
San Marino v England – 20.45CET

Switzerland and Slovenia go head to head
England will wrap up one of the top spots in Group E with victory on Saturday, and this game will go a long way towards identifying who joins them as runners-up. Defeat in Maribor left Switzerland bottom of the section after two matches yet the Swiss have since won four in a row and are now three points ahead of Slovenia. Crucially, the Alpine side also have to face England again so this fixture could be a case of winner takes all.
Switzerland and Slovenia – 20.45CET

Baltic honour at stake
Lithuania and Estonia still have designs on third spot, currently held by Slovenia, but for Lithuania's Deividas Česnauskis this match means even more. Česnauskis has fond memories of playing Estonia having scored in a 5-2 victory over them on his international debut in a 2001 Baltic Cup fixture. Now 34, he is eager to share that passion. "We want to show that we're the best in the Baltics," he said. "The boys sometimes make fun of me for being the oldest, but at least I don't have to move the goals in training – that's a young man's job!"
Estonia v Lithuania – 18.00CET

Group G
Sweden's inside info on Russia
CSKA Moskva midfielder Pontus Wernbloom will be the centre of attention as Sweden prepare to take on a Russia team coached by his club boss Leonid Slutski. "Slutski will give their players more freedom, and I think that will be good for the Russians," Wernbloom said. "It would be great to win a match like this and come back to Russia afterwards. Then I could really rub it in." Captain Zlatan Ibrahimović is keen to be involved too after missing the sides' previous Group G duel through injury. "I want to take this team to the EURO," the striker said.
Russia v Sweden – 18.00CET

Will Austria be first to qualify?
If Russia fail to beat Sweden in the earlier Group G kick-off, Austria could secure their UEFA EURO 2016 place with three points and all the signs are that they will certainly do their bit. Marcel Koller's men are on a five-game winning streak in the section and have not conceded in their last four competitive outings. Defender Martin Hinteregger is absent this time, but how much Moldova – a team that managed one point from two meetings with Liechtenstein – can test his stand-in is questionable.
Austria v Moldova – 20.45CET

Liechtenstein's greatest campaign?
Montenegro had 28 shots to Liechtenstein's three when the sides locked horns in Vaduz last October, yet the two nations still drew 0-0. Branko Brnović's team never recovered, and have lost four of their subsequent five games, drawing the other. Going into the rematch, Liechtenstein are level with them on five points, and another win would represent their best ever EURO qualifying return. More remarkably, it could set up a tussle with Russia for third spot.
Montenegro v Liechtenstein – 20.45CET