Spain and Italy clash tops the bill as the battle for World Cup places hots up

All 13 European slots for the World Cup are still up for grabs. The nine group winners qualify automatically, while the eight best second-placed teams enter a playoff round. Here is the state of play:

GROUP A

After being in control of Group A, France are now in a more precarious position after comical error by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris gifted Sweden a 2-1 win in the last round, giving the Swedes 13 points at the top of the group alongside France.

A win for the Netherlands at the Stade de France in Paris today will move the Dutch level with France and turn the

group it into a three-way scrap.

GROUP B

Switzerland have a perfect sixwin record, while Portugal have won five in a row since an opening 2-0 loss to the Swiss. A showdown in Lisbon on 10 October will likely decide who wins the group.

GROUP C

If Germany beat the Czech Republic tomorrow, they will be guaranteed first place with a home win over Norway on Monday and if second-placed Northern Ireland fail to beat the Czechs on the same night.

The Irish could close in on at least a playoff place by beating San Marino tomorrow.

GROUP D

Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Wales and Austria are separated by only four points. Serbia are ahead of Ireland on goal difference, and they play each other in Dublin on Monday. Before then, Serbia host Moldova and Ireland visit Georgia tomorrow. Wales and Austria are even on points in third and fourth place, four points behind their rivals, and meet in Cardiff on Saturday. The losers will likely be out of realistic contention.

GROUP E

Poland are closing in on a spot in the top-seeded pot at the World Cup draw on 1 December. They are six points ahead of second-placed Montenegro and visit third-placed Denmark on Friday and host Kazakhstan three days later. Montenegro travel to Kazakhstan before hosting Romania. Denmark, level on points with Montenegro, need to defeat Armenia on Monday.

GROUP F

Englandhavebeenunconvincing, yet remain unbeaten and lead the group by two points.

A win over Slovakia on Monday would bring them close to qualifying. They first play Malta tomorrow. Scotland lag six points behind England in fourth place.

GROUP G

Spain and Italy meet tomorrow in one of the most-anticipatedgamesineuropeanqualifying. Both have five wins in addition to the draw between them last year in Turin.

GROUP H

Belgium’s passage could become smoother if the group leaders defeat Gibraltar and Greece in the coming week. But if the Greeks, the only team to stop them by drawing 1-1 in March, beat Estonia today, then Belgium on Sunday, the pursuit of top spot would be wide open. Bosnia-herzegovina are challenging for second place, a point behind Greece.

GROUP I

Croatia, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine are separated by two points. Third-placed Turkey visitukraineonsaturdayand host leaders Croatia on Tuesday. Iceland travel to Finland before hosting Ukraine. Croatia should solidify their group lead tomorrow against visiting Kosovo.