Group A
1800 CET: Azerbaijan – Belgium
Azerbaijan have had a largely forgettable qualifying campaign thus far, picking up only one victory in Group A against Turkey, and needing a near miracle to reach the finals. Their last meeting with the Belgians ended with a heavy 4-1 defeat, and coach Berti Vogts must be hoping for a better performance from his team this time around.
With Germany having established an insurmountable lead in Group A with a perfect 21 points from seven games, the race for the runners-up spot takes centre stage. Belgium sit precariously in second place on 11 points, only one point ahead of Turkey. With only three games remaining for them in Group A, the pressure is on Belgium to emerge from tomorrow’s encounter with a comfortable three points.
1900 CET: Turkey - Kazakhstan
Guus Hiddink’s men may view this match-up as a straightfoward three points, given that they soundly defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 during the opening round of qualifying. Crucially, Turkey hold a game in hand over Belgium for the runners-up spot in Group A, and will be looking to press home that advantage against their Turkish opponents tomorrow while gaining a boost to their goal difference in the process.
Kazakhstan have been in dire straits during qualifying, with a lone win against Azerbaijan representing their only points in Group A so far. They will be looking to keep the score respectable against Turkey, to at least ensure that they do not suffer the embarrassment of finishing last in the group.
Group B
1800 CET: Russia – Macedonia
With Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland level on 13 points in Group B, Russia will know that there is no room for slip-ups against Macedonia. Dick Advocaat’s men are also level with the Irish with a plus-five goal difference, and will be looking to tomorrow’s match as a chance to considerably improve on that tally.
Macedonia started Group B in decent form, picking up four points from their opening three games. Since then they have been in freefall, losing their last three matches, including two against the Irish. With their hopes for qualification hanging by a thread, John Toshack will be eager for his team to defy the bookmakers and pull off a shock victory tomorrow.
1800 CET: Andorra – Armenia
Andorra’s Group B campaign has been as close to futility as one can get, with six defeats in six games and only a solitary goal scored. With elimination confirmed, they are purely playing for pride at this point, and should probably be satisfied with avoiding a rout
Armenia still have an outside chance of qualification for next summer’s tournament, sitting fourth on eight points, five behind Russia, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland. The three-team deadlock at the top of the group may end up working in their favour, but there must be no mistake tomorrow against Group B’s cellar dwellers.
2045 CET: Republic of Ireland – Slovakia
With three teams in Group B on 13 points, Ireland’s lead at the top is minute, ahead of Russia only on goals scored. With every point and goal valuable at this stage, the Irish will be preparing to take all three points, and will look to captain Robbie Keane to add to his five goals in qualifying so far.
Meanwhile, Slovakia sit in third place, behind Russia and Ireland on goal difference. With only six goals from six different scorers in qualification so far, the Slovaks need to improve their attacking potency if they are to stand a chance of making it to the finals in less than a year’s time.
Group C
2045 CET: Slovenia – Estonia
Slovenia have bagged an impressive 11 points from seven games so far, and sit second in Group C. However, Nothern Ireland and Serbia are only two and three points behind respectively, and both teams hold a game in hand. A win here is crucial for Slovenia to maintain their second-placed standing, and put paid to Estonia’s hopes of playing for Poland and Ukraine once and for all.
For Estonia, this game acts as a qualification six-pointer, since a win will see them move onto 10 points, within one of Slovenia. A second-placed finish is still barely within their grasp, but defeat on Friday will open up an insurmountable seven-point gap on the runners-up spot with two games remaining.
Group D
1930 CET: Luxembourg – Romania
Tomorrow’s hosts Luxembourg have been eliminated from qualifying, and prop up Group D with a solitary point. The last time these two teams met in qualifying, Romania emerged 3-1 winners, and try as they might, Luxembourg will probably expect something similar this time around.
Romania meanwhile are still in with a shout of progressing from Group D with eight points, four points back of second-placed Belarus but with a game in hand. Victor Piturca and his team will surely be aiming for all three points and a significant boost to their goal difference in order to maintain their chances of qualification, especially since they will face the Belarusians in just over a month’s time.
