Explained - The results England and Scotland need to qualify for Euro 2024
Rejoice, it's the international break! Again...
Okay, this time there's actually a reason to be excited, with confirmed places at Euro 2024 up for grabs for the continent's best sides. Who, you might ask? Well, Scotland for starters.
Steve Clarke's side are on the brink of booking their flight to Germany by conquering a qualifying group containing two-time European champions Spain and Erling Haaland's Norway. England, too, can start making plans for next June, as Gareth Southgate's Three Lions are on the cusp of overcoming reigning champions Italy in their group.
But what exactly do the two teams need to qualify? And how about Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland? Let's take a look ahead of October's crucial clashes...
England
Starting off with the Three Lions, England will secure their place at Euro 2024 should Ukraine draw with North Macedonia on Saturday and Southgate's side beat Italy three days later. If fellow Group C side Ukraine were to lose, then a draw would be enough for England when they welcome Italy to Wembley.
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Regardless of what happens between Ukraine and North Macedonia, though, it's likely highly that the Three Lions will find their way to Germany. Southgate and co sit six points clear in first with 12 more goals on second-placed Italy, plus the top two teams automatically qualify anyway.
Have your say! Who'll win Euro 2024? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
England are on their way to Germany at a canter (PA)Scotland
They were put in Group A and so far Scotland have produced an A-star performance as they bid to qualify for back-to-back Euros. Having managed an astonishing five wins from five games, Steve Clarke's men only need to draw with Spain - who they beat in Glasgow back in March - to book their place.
Even if they lose in Seville, Scotland would still qualify if Norway somehow fail to beat Cyprus, who are yet to pick up a point. Should Norway get the job done, they'd still have to beat Spain in Oslo on Sunday to prevent Scotland - who don't play another qualifier until their final pair of games November - from celebrating qualification this weekend.
Scotland are set to conquer Spain in their group (Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)Wales
For Wales, it's all about Sunday when they welcome Croatia to Cardiff. Rob Page's men will still have slim hopes of qualifying regardless of whatever else goes down between the four other sides in Group D on Thursday.
Wales have three games remaining and, realistically, need to win all of them - including a clash with Turkey at home. Should they fail to do that, then luckily a play-off berth seems a certainty, despite suffering relegation in the Nations League.
The draw for the six play-off semi-finals across three routes will take place on Thursday, November 23 at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Welsh fans are fond of the play-offs, having secured their place at the World Cup in Qatar through them last year.
Rob Page has a difficult task on his hands (PA)Northern Ireland
It's last chance saloon for Michael O'Neill's men, having turned back to the manager who triumphantly led them to the 2016 European Championships in France. Northern Ireland need to claim all three points against whipping boys San Marino on Saturday to keep their Euro dream alive, with that game in their six-team group taking place at 2pm.
Fans will then face an anxious wait, as if Slovenia beat Finland and Denmark versus Kazakhstan doesn't end in a draw, the Green and White Army will no longer be able to dream of sipping German Pilsner next June. Should Finland do them a favour, then Northern Ireland will still have the task of facing Slovenia at home next Tuesday and would need to continue their winning streak.
Northern Ireland are hoping for some fortune from Finland (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)Republic of Ireland
Finally, another long shot. After more than three years in the job, Stephen Kenny's time in charge of the Republic of Ireland could be up once this round of fixtures comes to a close. A victory at home to Greece would technically keep them in the fight, but should they draw or lose and the Netherlands win, it'll be over.
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If however Gus Poyet's Greece are dispatched in Dublin and later France, but then manage to beat the Netherlands, they'll finish on 12 points. Should the Netherlands concurrently lose to France and, crucially, Ireland but then beat minnows Gibraltar, they'll to end up on 12 points, too, alongside the Boys in Green, who also are expected to win against Gibraltar.
Stephen Kenny needs Ronald Koeman's Netherlands side to collapse (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)Goal difference and head-to-head results would therefore come into play in the race to finish behind France, with Ireland already losing 2-1 in Greece and by the same scoreline at home to the Netherlands in September. Unfortunately for Kenny, the play-offs are now an unlikely route, as lower-ranked Albania are expected to qualify automatically from Group E ahead of higher-ranked Poland, who'd take Ireland's spot.
The draw for the Euro 2024 group stage is due to take place more than three months before the play-offs matches are scheduled. All eyes will be on Hamburg on Saturday, December 2.
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