Play-off positions in sight

November play-offs
The top two from each of the eight groups will enter November's two-legged deciders for the eight places in next summer's final tournament - the last in an even year, with subsequent editions to take place every two years from 2007. The eventual hosts will be picked from among the eight qualifiers.

Group 1
Following F.Y.R. Macedonia's August draw with Finland, the pool is now a three-horse race, with Romania a point clear of the Czech Republic and the Netherlands - but with two games left to the Czechs' four and three for the Dutch. Saturday's fixtures are vital, with Romania welcoming the Czechs and the Netherlands visiting eliminated Armenia. Three days later the Finns host the Macedonians, with the Czechs playing Armenia 24 hours later knowing that if they have won in Romania, three more points would seal the 2002 champions' play-off spot.

Group 2
Denmark lead Ukraine by six points with a game in hand, and victory in Turkey on Friday would ensure a play-off berth, as their hosts, Greece and Georgia - fresh from a 1-0 win in Kazakhstan that took them to within five points of Ukraine - would all be unable to catch the Danes. Ukraine go to Georgia that day hoping to move five points above Greece and Turkey, with the latter travelling to Kiev four days later. Bottom team Kazakhstan play Albania on Friday then Greece, currently third, on the Tuesday.

Group 3
Portugal are the only side with a perfect record, and a guaranteed top-two finish, allowing them to enjoy Luxembourg's visit on Friday. The same day Latvia, who lost 4-0 to Russia in August, need to win in Estonia to have a chance of catching Russia or Slovakia. The Russians have a four-point advantage over Slovakia, and if they overcome Portugal and Slovakia fall in Latvia on Tuesday, they will clinch a play-off spot – while Portugal, should they defeat Luxembourg and avoid defeat in Russia, will confirm pole position.

Group 4
Israel have one match remaining - and if they prevail in Switzerland on Friday they will move out of reach of the Swiss and into the play-offs. Should Switzerland triumph, they would climb one point above second-placed France, who travel to the Republic of Ireland four days later, when the Swiss go to pointless Cyprus.

Group 5
All six teams could qualify with four games left: reigning champions Italy are five points clear of Norway at the top, with Belarus and Slovenia at further one-point intervals behind them. Italy make the trip to rock-bottom Scotland on Friday, while Norway are in Slovenia, and Moldova play Belarus. Victory for Italy would mean that a win in Belarus four days later would take the Azzurri into the play-offs, while Norway will hope that success against Scotland leaves them close. Any slip by the Norwegians would be good news for Slovenia, who a day later go to Moldova.

Group 6
Germany won 3-1 in Poland in August, and are level at the summit with England, five points above the Poles with a game in hand, while Wales and Austria retain only slim hopes. On Friday, England visit Wales and Germany entertain eliminated Azerbaijan knowing victories, and a draw between Poland and Austria, would settle both play-off places. If not, the top two meet four days later in Trier, when Poland play Wales and Austria travel to Azerbaijan.

Group 7
Belgium, Spain and 2004 runners-up Serbia and Montenegro are separated by just one point, though Spain have played a game more. Belgium journey to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday, while Serbia and Montenegro welcome Lithuania. Whatever the results, the encounter four days later between Spain and Serbia and Montenegro in Aranjuez will be pivotal, with Belgium hoping the result will allow them to end the week with pole position as they play pointless San Marino. Lithuania take on Bosnia-Herzegovina hoping their respective mathematical chances are still alive.

Group 8
Croatia are three points clear of the other likely contenders, Sweden and Hungary, with four matches to play. On Friday, Iceland, in fourth, tackle Croatia, Sweden encounter fifth-placed Bulgaria and bottom side Malta are Hungary's guests. Four days later Malta is Croatia's destination and Bulgaria play Sweden, with the Wednesday seeing another potentially decisive fixture, Hungary against Sweden.