Britain and Ireland's football teams face a crucial week of Euro 2008 qualifiers that could make or break their hopes of making next year's finals.
Here, we analyse their prospects:
ENGLAND
England already faced an uphill struggle to finish in the top two places in Group E before being decimated by injury and suspension this week. Anything less than four points in the next two games against Israel and Russia could prove fatal. Even two wins guarantees nothing, with Croatia and the return against Russia still to come.
SCOTLAND
Scotland have already exceeded expectations by challenging World Cup finalists France and Italy for a spot at next year's finals. A flying start to their Group B campaign was tempered somewhat by defeats to Ukraine and Italy but victory over Lithuania and a draw in France would keep them right in the mix. Even a defeat in Paris would not be a disaster, with home games against both Ukraine and Italy to come.
WALES
Wales were always going to struggle to qualify from Group D and Saturday's match against Germany is effectively the last-chance saloon. A victory may only delay the inevitable, however, as they would almost certainly need to rely on others dropping points. And with four of their remaining five qualifiers away from home, reaching the finals would be a minor miracle.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The surprise package of qualification bar none, Northern Ireland are right in contention to reach their first major finals since 1986. Inspired by the competition's top scorer, David Healy, they have recorded famous victories over both Spain and Sweden to lie second in Group F. Four points from trips to Latvia and Iceland should keep them right in contention but their fate will almost certainly be decided in their final three games against Sweden, Denmark and Spain.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
In the same group as Wales, Ireland find themselves in a far more promising position, just a point behind the second-placed Czech Republic. After a terrible start to qualifying, they have now reeled off four straight victories. But they may need a minimum of four points from their games in Slovakia and the Czech Republic to maintain their challenge ahead of home clashes with Germany and the Slovaks again.
ENGLAND
England already faced an uphill struggle to finish in the top two places in Group E before being decimated by injury and suspension this week. Anything less than four points in the next two games against Israel and Russia could prove fatal. Even two wins guarantees nothing, with Croatia and the return against Russia still to come.
SCOTLAND
Scotland have already exceeded expectations by challenging World Cup finalists France and Italy for a spot at next year's finals. A flying start to their Group B campaign was tempered somewhat by defeats to Ukraine and Italy but victory over Lithuania and a draw in France would keep them right in the mix. Even a defeat in Paris would not be a disaster, with home games against both Ukraine and Italy to come.
WALES
Wales were always going to struggle to qualify from Group D and Saturday's match against Germany is effectively the last-chance saloon. A victory may only delay the inevitable, however, as they would almost certainly need to rely on others dropping points. And with four of their remaining five qualifiers away from home, reaching the finals would be a minor miracle.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The surprise package of qualification bar none, Northern Ireland are right in contention to reach their first major finals since 1986. Inspired by the competition's top scorer, David Healy, they have recorded famous victories over both Spain and Sweden to lie second in Group F. Four points from trips to Latvia and Iceland should keep them right in contention but their fate will almost certainly be decided in their final three games against Sweden, Denmark and Spain.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
In the same group as Wales, Ireland find themselves in a far more promising position, just a point behind the second-placed Czech Republic. After a terrible start to qualifying, they have now reeled off four straight victories. But they may need a minimum of four points from their games in Slovakia and the Czech Republic to maintain their challenge ahead of home clashes with Germany and the Slovaks again.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles

Euro 2008 Brings In Record Profits

Euro 2008 Was Reality Check - Brooking
