Underdogs sense their chance

Making history
Iceland visit the Faroe Islands knowing victory will take them above Germany at the top of Group 5, albeit having played one game more. They have never qualified for a final tournament before and Asgeir Sigurvinsson, one of Iceland's joint-coaches, said: "The players realise they would make history by winning and taking the top place in the group." [For a full match preview click here].

Wales can move clear
With home and away fixtures against Germany to come, of course, there is still some way to go for Iceland but for Wales a win in Serbia and Montenegro tonight would carry them five points clear of second-placed Italy at the top of Group 9.

Hughes hungry
Wales, missing striker John Hartson and defender Andy Melville, have not reached a major finals since the 1958 FIFA World Cup but even a draw in Belgrade would guarantee them at least second place in the section. However, manager Mark Hughes said: "I want us to qualify outright. Our fate is now in our own hands and I want us to qualify automatically."

Kežman returns
The match is Ilija Petkovic's first in charge of Serbia and Montenegro and marks striker Mateja Kežman's return from a self-imposed international exile. [For a full match preview click here]. There are also 19 friendly matches taking place tonight involving European teams, the pick of them arguably Germany's meeting with Italy in Stuttgart.

Hinkl debut
The last time the sides met there, in 1994, Andreas Hinkl was a ballboy but today the VfB Stuttgart youngster should make his full international debut. Germany are missing key players in Michael Ballack, Christoph Metzelder, Arne Friedrich, Jens Nowotny, Torsten Frings, Dietmar Hamann, Christian Ziege and Jörg Böhme.

'Honour at stake'
Italy, meanwhile, are without Alessandro Nesta and Cristiano Zanetti. The countries' last encounter produced a goalless draw at EURO 96 but with other meetings in mind - including the 1970 World Cup semi-final and 1982 World Cup final - Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said: "This game is not simply a friendly - there is prestige and honour at stake."

Low Countries derby
In Brussels, Belgium face the Netherlands in the 123rd meeting of these Low Countries rivals. Dutch coach Dick Advocaat has described the match as the "ideal chance to experiment" and will try AFC Ajax's Rafael van der Vaart up front alongside Ruud van Nistelrooij.

Van der Vaart experiment
"Until now [Patrick] Kluivert and Van Nistelrooij as a pair have not brought what I expected from them. Some people think Rafael is best in midfield but he has proved he is very dangerous close to goal."

Makelele question
In Geneva, Switzerland face a France side expected to be missing Claude Makelele, following the player's contract dispute and subsequent absence from training with Spanish champions Real Madrid CF. Jacques Santini called up S.S. Lazio's Ousmane Dabo as a possible replacement.

Beckham is back
Another Real Madrid player, David Beckham, plays his first match on English soil since leaving Manchester United FC in England's friendly against Croatia. Beckham has a back strain and is expected to play only 45 minutes.