Stage set for Prague showdown

Group 1
France, the holders, need just a point against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Wednesday to win the group, but even if that proves beyond them, Jacques Santini's men will be confident of getting what they need from their final game at home to Israel. Slovenia, meanwhile, can theoretically still either win the group or be eliminated but their most likely fate is second place. They need just a point against either France or Cyprus to make sure. To win the group they would have to win both games and hope France lose at home to Israel. For Slovenia to be eliminated, they would have to lose twice and Israel would have to beat both Malta and France.

Group 2
Victory for Denmark over Romania at the Parken stadium on Wednesday will take them through to Portugal, but a draw would only be enough to guarantee a play-off place. Defeat, meanwhile, could open the way for Romania to win the group – only a Danish victory in their last match, away to Bosnia-Herzegovina, could then stop Anghel Iordanescu’s side. But Bosnia, too, could also win the group: assuming they win in Luxembourg on Wednesday and Denmark fail to win, that last match in Zenica will be decisive. Norway, meanwhile, will have to hope results go their way if they are to clinch a play-off spot.

Group 3
Only the Czech Republic and the Netherlands remain in contention and they meet on Wednesday in Prague. Victory for either side will win them the group and consign the losers to the play-offs. A goalless draw would mean the Czechs going to Austria for their final match knowing a win would still take them through; a 1-1 draw would still be enough for the Czechs, as long as the Dutch do not go on a scoring spree in their final game at home to Moldova; a 2-2 draw or more would mean the Dutch just have to beat Moldova to go through.

Group 4
Sweden will win the group on Wednesday if they overcome Poland in Chorzow, and a draw will be enough for the Swedes if Latvia and Hungary also draw in Riga, leaving Latvia, Hungary and the Poles to fight it out for second place. Defeat for Sweden on Wednesday would mean at least three of these teams going into the final round of matches – when Poland visit Hungary and Latvia go to Sweden – with at least a play-off place to play for.

Group 5
With Iceland not playing this week, the group will go to the wire regardless of Wednesday's result between Germany and Scotland. Nevertheless, with a home game against Lithuania still to come, victory for Scotland at the Westfalenstadion would put them in pole position; victory for Germany would mean a win at home to Iceland in their last match would take the 1996 winners through.