Swiss look to take their chance

Group 6
Leaders Greece can secure their ticket to Portugal if they beat Northern Ireland on 11 October. Should the Greeks only draw against Sammy McIlroy's goal-shy team, Spain could claim the automatic qualification spot with victory against Armenia on the same day, providing they beat Ukraine on Wednesday night. A win in Spain for Ukraine would open the door to the play-offs for them should Spain fail to beat Armenia.

Group 7
All eyes will be on Istanbul where Turkey take on England in the final round of fixtures next month. Both sides are assured of a place in the play-offs but the group will be decided in the Sükrü Saraçoglu stadium regardless of whether or not England win their game in hand against Liechtenstein on Wednesday. Turkey, whose only defeat of the campaign came at the hands of the English, currently lead the group by two points.
 
Group 8
Belgium must beat Croatia at home on Wednesday to stay in the hunt. Failure to do so will end the Belgians' dreams of travelling to Portugal next summer and set up Croatia's home game with leaders Bulgaria next month as the group decider. However, if Belgium beat Croatia on Wednesday, Bulgaria can secure their automatic passage to Portugal by beating Andorra on the same night.

Group 9
Italy's comprehensive victory against Wales on Saturday enabled them to leapfrog their opponents at the summit. If Italy win their remaining games in Serbia and Montenegro and at home against Azerbaijan, they will qualify. Should the Italians drop any points, Wales can reclaim top spot with home wins against Finland and Serbia and Montenegro. Both of those sides are still hoping for a play-off place. Finland would need to beat Wales by at least a two-goal margin in the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday to have a chance of finishing above the Welsh. Only then could Serbia and Montenegro qualify, but they would have to garner a point from the visiting Italians on the same night before defeating Wales next month to finish in second spot.

Group 10
Switzerland could be celebrating securing a place in next summer's tournament if they beat Russia away from home on Wednesday. A draw would ensure the Swiss a play-off place but give the Republic of Ireland a chance to claim automatic qualification by winning when the sides meet in Basel next month. Three points from Russia's final two games would only be enough for a play-off berth should Ireland lose in Switzerland next month. If Switzerland's final two games both end in draws, Russia can reach the play-offs by beating Georgia in their final game. If Russia win their last two fixtures, Switzerland's home game with the Republic of Ireland will decide the standings. The Swiss would top the group with victory, while a draw would secure them a play-off spot but an away win would put Ireland in second position.