MAN ALIVE TO A SWISS MISS
EUROPE’S race to qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup in Qatar enters the final stages over the next few days.
Record Sport picks out the main talking points.
ITALIAN JOB TO DO Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup for the first time in 60 years and they have work to do to avoid a similar fate.
Success at the Euros and a world-record unbeaten run notwithstanding, Roberto Mancini’s men are locked on 16 points with a Switzerland side who have lost only one of their last 36 World Cup qualifying matches.
Tomorrow’s meeting in Rome will go a long way to deciding who takes top spot in Group C and who will be in the play-offs.
SPAIN FACE PAIN
Spain, the 2010 world champions, are another heavyweight on the ropes.
Luis Enrique’s side sit second in Group B, two points behind leaders Sweden. Tonight they visit Greece, who held them to a 1-1 draw in March, knowing failure to win would give the Swedes the chance to wrap up top spot with victory in Georgia.
Otherwise the group will be decided when Spain host Sweden in Seville on Sunday.
LAST-DAY DRAMA
Eight more European teams will confirm their places in Qatar by Tuesday.
There is a last-day decider on the cards in Group G as Holland host a Norway side who trail them by two points with two matches to play and another in Group A when Portugal host Serbia in Lisbon on Sunday.
Belgium would win Group E by defeating Estonia in Brussels on Saturday, although an unlikely loss could set up a group decider in Wales.
BALE STILL MAKING HAY
Talking of Wales, Gareth Bale is set for his 100th cap against Belarus in two days’ time.
The 32-year-old, would become only the second man – after Chris Gunter – to reach a century of appearances for Wales.
Rob Page’s side enter their final qualifiers third in Group E and are looking at the play-offs as their most realistic route to a first World Cup finals since 1958.
AARON SWEATER FOR PICKFORD
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale is still waiting to make his England debut but has emerged as a serious contender to Jordan Pickford.
Ramsdale has been a revelation since joining the Gunners and he is yet to lose a game in goal his new club. Gareth Southgate has a big decision to make.