The play-off race in Europe

GROUP ONE: Qualified : Denmark. Can reach play-offs : Portugal, Sweden, Hungary

GROUP ONE: Qualified: Denmark. Can reach play-offs: Portugal, Sweden, Hungary

A win over bottom-of-the-group Malta at home on Wednesday would guarantee Portugal a place in the play-offs.

Wednesday: Denmark v Hungary, Sweden v Albania, Portugal v Malta.

GROUP TWO

Can qualify automatically: Switzerland and Greece.

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Can reach play-off: Switzerland, Greece, Israel and Latvia.

A point against Israel would clinch automatic qualification for Switzerland, while Greece would go in to the play-offs if they beat Luxembourg at home.

Wednesday: Latvia v Moldova, Switzerland v Israel, Greece v Luxembourg.

GROUP THREE

Can qualify automatically: Slovakia and Slovenia.

Can reach play-off: Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech. Republic and Northern Ireland.

If Slovakia can beat Poland away they will be assured of first place in the group, but if they fail to win they can be caught by Slovenia who finish up with a game against San Marino. The Czech Republic and Northern Ireland are all but out, both needing a favour from San Marino.

Wednesday: Czech Republic v Northern Ireland, Poland v Slovakia, San Marino v Slovenia.

GROUP FOUR

Qualified: Germany.

In the play-offs: Russia.

Wednesday: Azerbaijan v Russia, Germany v Finland, Liechtenstein v Wales.

GROUP FIVE

Qualified: Spain.

In the play-offs: Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Wednesday: Turkey v Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina v Spain, Estonia v Belgium.

GROUP SIX

Qualified: England.

Can reach play-off: Croatia, Ukraine.

Ukraine will go into the play-offs if they beat bottom team Andorra.

Wednesday: Kazakhstan v Croatia, Andorra v Ukraine, England v Belarus.

GROUP SEVEN

Qualified: Serbia.

In the play-offs: France.

Wednesday: Romania v Faroe Islands, France v Austria, Lithuania v Serbia.

GROUP EIGHT

Qualified: Italy

In the play-offs: Ireland.

Wednesday: Ireland v Montenegro, Italy v Cyprus, Bulgaria v Georgia.

GROUP NINE

Qualified: Netherlands.

Can reach play-offs: Norway.

The group is completed, with Norway unlikely to reach the play-offs having, with the last round of matches to go, the worst record of the second-placed teams.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times