Decision day for U21 prospects

Play-off places
The winners of each section progress automatically to the play-offs for the final tournament next summer, with the six best-placed runners-up also going into the draw, to be held in Frankfurt on Monday at 12.00CET. As two of the groups comprise four teams, and the other eight groups five, only results against the teams in first, third and fourth places will count when determining the six best runners-up. The play-off games will be played over two legs on 15 and 19 November.

Czech chance
In Group 3, the Czech Republic know that only victory will lift them above leaders Belarus, who hold a three-point advantage but have completed their campaign. However, the Czechs face a tough task away to third-placed Austria. The inclusion of defender Tomáš Hübschman, who has won nine caps for the senior side, is offset by the loss of Vlastimil Vidlicka and Aleš Schuster. Also in Group 3, the Netherlands and Moldova meet in Helmond.

Three points needed
Victory is also vital for Group 5 leaders Scotland at home to third-placed Lithuania, themselves needing three points to maintain their slender qualification hopes. The visitors are boosted by the availability of full internationals Deividas Cesnauskis, Zydrunas Karcemarskas and Marius Stankevicius, although Tomas Tamosauskas and Edgaras Cesnauskis are suspended. Germany must better Scotland's result at home to pointless Iceland.

Scandinavian favourites
Norway are favourites to win Group 2 as they end their campaign at home to bottom side Luxembourg. Denmark, level with the leaders on 16 points, face the team directly below them, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and will at least finish second if they avoid defeat by less than three goals. However, Denmark are without key players Hjalte Nørregaard and Leon Andreasen through injury; Christian Traore and Sebastian Svárd deputise.

Italy in charge
Italy are another country whose play-off place is virtually secure - they need only avoid defeat at home to Group 9's basement team, Azerbaijan, to hold off Serbia and Montenegro, who end their campaign in Wales.

Better result
Croatia have already wrapped up Group 8 and sign off with a home game against Bulgaria, who must record a better result than second-placed Belgium - up against lowly Estonia - to overhaul the Belgians and finish second.

Struggle for second
Poland are the runaway Group 4 winners, but opponents Hungary want a victory in Budapest to seal second spot. The two other sides eyeing the runners-up berth, Sweden and Latvia, meet in Eskilstuna - both hoping for a Polish success.

Point required
France have won Group 1, while second-placed Cyprus need a point at home to Slovenia to edge out their opponents and third-placed Israel, who travel to Clermont-Ferrand to play the leaders.

Places decided
The other three groups have been settled. Armenia welcome Group 6 winners Spain while runners-up Greece face Northern Ireland. Group 7 victors Turkey take on England, with second-placed Portugal playing Slovakia. Group 10 pacesetters Switzerland entertain the Republic of Ireland, and the team immediately below them, Russia, host neighbours Georgia.