Scene set for dramatic day

Netherlands visit Scotland
The Netherlands, UEFA EURO 2000™ semi-finalists and 1988 champions, kick off the day's first-leg action at 16.00CET when they visit Scotland, who last played in the finals in 1996 and missed out four years ago in a play-off against England. The home team in Glasgow are without captain Paul Lambert and fellow midfield player Colin Cameron, and may select Gavin Rae or give a first start to Darren Fletcher. The visitors have doubts over defenders André Ooijer and Jaap Stam.

Severe test for Wales
An hour later, Wales's bid to make the final stages for the first time faces a severe test in Moscow. The Soviet Union were the tournament's inaugural winners in 1960, and Russia are one of two former republics from that nation in the play-offs. They are also the form team, having ended their Group 10 campaign strongly after a stuttering spell, eventually scoring 15 goals in four home games. And while Russia can call on a near full-strength side, Wales, without a win in four qualifiers, are injury-hit. Striker Craig Bellamy, midfield players Mark Pembridge and Simon Davies, and defenders Adrian Williams, Rhys Weston and Robert Page are all out, but Robbie Savage has travelled despite a hamstring problem.

Zagreb derby
Next to kick off, at 17.30CET, is the 'derby' match between Croatia and Slovenia in Zagreb. Slovenia have not beaten their neighbours since the former Yugoslavia dissolved, but qualified for both EURO 2000™ and the 2002 FIFA World Cup via play-offs. Playmaker Zlatko Zahovic has recovered from a broken toe, while rising star Nastja Ceh should also be fit. Croatia will hope that striker Dado Pršo can show the same form he did when scoring four goals for AS Monaco FC against RC Deportivo La Coruña last week.

Chance for Latvia
Latvia, like Wales, are looking to reach their first European Championship finals, and will look to make home advantage count in Riga when their fixture with Turkey begins at 19.15CET. However, Latvia are without teenage midfield player Igors Semjonovs, and strikers Marians Pahars and Andrejs Prohorenkovs. The 2002 World Cup semi-finalists are also depleted, as defender Alpay Özalan is ill and midfield player Yildiray Bastürk has a back injury.

Spain face Norway
The day's final game, at 22.00CET in Valencia, sees 1964 champions Spain welcome Norway. The Spaniards, looking to avenge a 1-0 defeat at EURO 2000™, have fitness worries over winger Joaquín Sánchez, while Norway - who had five squad members unable to train earlier this week - may now only be without ill left-back André Bergdølmo, allowing John Arne Riise to fill in.

Live coverage
Join uefa.com on Saturday for live minute-by-minute coverage, reports and reaction from all five games, and again on Wednesday for the second legs when the final five places in Portugal will be decided. Also over the weekend, uefa.com will follow the friendly fortunes of those nations already qualified - including France who travel to Germany, Portugal who host Greece, and England who entertain Denmark.