Following on from the Wolves game we see a break in domestic football as international teams across the continent get together for the latest double headers. Below I will preview each group and pick out the key games as the groups begin to draw to October’s climax.

I have added interest as I’m hoping to be selected as a volunteer for the tournament having applied to UEFA so fingers crossed. Either way I’ll be in Poland/Ukraine for the kick-off next summer hoping watching Ireland take on Europe’s finest and if not Ireland then tickets for Germany game’s will be on my wish-list.

Group A – Key Games

Azerbaijan – Belgium
Turkey – Kazakhstan
Germany – Austria
Austria – Turkey (Sept. 6)

Germany have run away with this group and a win at home to Austria on Friday night confirms their place next summer as well as maintaining their 100% record. Second place however is very much up for grabs with Belgium, Turkey and Austria battling for the runners-up spot.

Belgium hold the advantage over Turkey by a single point but having played a game more the Turks probably fancy their chances. Austria are the rogue danger to both but given their anticipated loss to Germany it’s probably too big an ask to expect any better than third. They can however dent Turkish hopes in Vienna September 6, Belgium’s up and coming team will certainly hope so.

Belgium would grace the tournament next summer much moreso than Turkey for me. They have a very young but talented side and are a team to follow over the next few years. The current generation could be in the class of Ceulemans, Pfaff and Scifo in a few years and so I’ll take them to squeeze out Turkey but only just.

Group B – Key Games

Russia – Macedonia
Ireland – Slovakia
Russia – Ireland (Sept. 6)
Slovakia – Armenia (Sept. 6)

The tightest group with 3 nations currently tied for first place (Ireland, Russia and Slovakia). This double header should make some sense of the group with Ireland hosting Slovakia on Friday before travelling to Moscow for a tie with Russia.

I think Ireland can and will beat Slovakia in Dublin but I fear the worst in the Luzhnicki with Russia needing to win also. The fact that it will probably be played on an artificial surface doesn’t help.

My tip here is Russia will take 6 points from 6 and lead the group going into October’s final games. Ireland will most likely have to settle for a play-off spot and a win against Slovakia will make this almost certain as they will have the better head-to-head.

Group C – Key Games

N.Ireland –Serbia
Slovenia – Estonia
Italy – Slovenia (Sept. 6)

Italy currently lead the way by 5 points from Slovenia and 2 wins from 2 will see the Italians through. They should have no problem dispatching the Faroes on Friday and at home to Slovenia doesn’t look too tricky on paper so it’s all about 2nd place here.

Slovenia will expect to beat Estonia and will target at least a point in Florence while N.Ireland remarkably still have a major chance also. Serbia’s fans didn’t help their team’s chances when rioting cost them a forfeited match against Italy and they travel to Windsor Park knowing it’s a case of really must win.

I think they have the team to do it and although bigger teams than Serbia have come a cropper at Windsor in recent years, they’ll pick up the points they need and go into October’s final clash away to Slovenia knowing its winner takes all with the play-off place the victor’s reward.

Group D – Key Games

Belarus – Bosnia
Albania – France
Bosnia – Belarus (Sept. 6)
Romania – France (Sept. 6)

Another tight group here with France currently leading the way by a single point however 2 tricky looking away days means it’s far from a formality for Laurent’s Blanc’s charges. A loss in either game would throw this group wide open going into October.

The other key clashes are the double header between Belarus and Bosnia (currently 2nd and 3rd respectively). While both or either have chances of taking group leadership two draws would allow Albania and Romania in particular back into the play-off picture. Indeed as it stands both are 4 points behind 2nd placed Belarus having played a game less.

France should win the group with their final two games at home but 2nd place is anyone’s guess.

Group E – Key Games

Hungary – Sweden

With the new world number one ranked side The Netherlands likely to keep up their 100% record against San Marino (at home) and away in Helsinki, the only critical game over the next two match days sees 3rd place Hungary up against 2nd place Sweden in Budapest.

Hungary are 3 points behind Sweden going into the game having played a game more so even 2nd place looks beyond them at this stage however if Sweden keep winning they will go into a final day clash with The Netherlands (in Stockholm) knowing that a win might just give them the group. They currently trail the Dutch by 3 points and even a reverse in this fixture could see them qualify automatically as best runner-up

Group F – Key Games

Israel – Greece
Georgia – Latvia
Croatia – Israel (Sept. 6)
Latvia – Greece (Sept. 6)

Another very tight group with Greece sitting top right now, a point better off than Croatia and Israel (who have played one game more).

The two up coming match days sees Israel with a big chance of over-taking the Greeks at least and a win in Tel Aviv would be a massive boost however their 2nd game in Croatia looks difficult. Croatia on the other hand are targeting maximum points away to Malta and then also the aforementioned game in Zagreb which would give them a great chance of winning the section overall.

Greece will have other ideas however and knowing their penultimate game (in October) is at home to Croatia will be keen to get the job done in two albeit tricky away games and then it will be in their own hands.

Group G – Key Games

Bulgaria – England
Wales – Montenegro
England – Wales (Sept. 6)

It’s getting close to crunch time for England’s latest ‘golden generation’ and to date they’ve been making hard work of a fairly easy looking section.

On paper it should be 6 points from these 2 matches – Bulgaria were very poor at Wembley and Wales are, well Wales. The trip to Sofia will be the trickier of the 2 and maximum points is a must as Montenegro are expected to turn over the Welsh in Cardiff.

With England and Montenegro tied for group leadership, it looks as though this group will go to the penultimate match day in October when Montenegro host England in Podgorica. Any English slip-up could allow Montenegro to snatch the group in the final game.

Group H – Key Games

Norway – Iceland
Cyprus – Portugal
Denmark – Norway (Sept. 6)

Another group which is to close to call with Portugal, Denmark and Norway all tied on 10 points and far adrift of Cyprus and Iceland.

Norway will expect 3 points from the Cyprus game and Portugal are favoured to win in Cyprus, however they drew with the same opposition 4-4 in the reverse fixture.

The second match day sees Denmark host Norway with a chance to put themselves back level on top. This group is going to the wire with Denmark v Portugal on the final match day likely to decide the group, the loser will likely miss out on even the play-offs.

Group I – Key Games

Scotland – Czech Rep
Spain – Liechtenstein (Sept. 6)

Group leaders Spain currently have a 100% record and a 6 point advantage over 2nd placed Czech Rep and will qualify with a win over Liechtenstein and a Czech loss in Glasgow.

That said the latter looks unlikely with a draw being my prediction. Scotland must win to keep alive any slim, lingering play-off hopes but in the wake of the domestic club’s poor showing in Europe it is a big ask especially given they face Spain in Alicante in the final round.

Bozzy’s Banker: For those who read my comment on ‘How to Make a Million in 13 Bets’ its time to put my money where my mouth is. As you know the bet must come in at at least 2/1 so I’ve gone for the following this Friday:

Germany 1/6 v Austria
Croatia 1/7 v Malta
Belgium 4/9 v Azerbaijan
Russia 1/5 v Macedonia
Norway 2/5 v Iceland

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