Testing times for Euro 2020 sides
Belgium is already through, but France, Republic of Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland face tough matches, while England faces challenges in Prague.
Already the first entry has been made on the list of the 24 teams who will line-up for next year’s European Championship and there will be more before the latest series of qualifiers are completed on Tuesday.
Top-ranked Belgium have kept up their dominance in Group I to march effortlessly into the tournament field and advance the claim they have to being one of the favourites next June and July, where this particular edition of the European Championship is hosted - not in a single country - but widely across the continent.
Tonight England can book their place if they win away in Prague against the Czech Republic while world champions France and Euro 2016 winners Portugal can make firm stops in the right direction too with victory at the same time.
The game in Prague is overshadowed by the threat of racism from the terraces with the English players threatening ahead of time that they might walk off in protest should they been targeted by bigots.
For local police there is also the prospect of 6000 visiting English fans – many of them thirsty – taking over the Czech capital with the inevitable problems of hooliganism.
Although England have not lost any qualifying match for 10 years, this is their stiffest test yet in Group A.
It is the same for France in Group H as they go to Iceland, who sit only three points behind Didier Deschamps’ injury-depleted side in the standings. Influential goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Kyliam Mbappe are among those not making the trip.
Spain are fancied to beat Norway away on Saturday and also inch closer but this is another difficult test for them.
But the pool that offers the most intrigue is Group D where the Republic of Ireland sit top with 11 points, Denmark are second on nine and Switzerland have eight.
The Irish are away at Georgia tomorrow where victory is far from certain and they could lose their ascendency.
Denmark host the Swiss, also tomorrow, in what is a key match for both sides with just two places available to advance from the group. To take a bet, go to www.bettingworld.co.za or www.tabonline.co.za or www.soccer6.co.za