Groups set for exciting conclusion

The last two sets of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying group fixtures are played on Saturday and Wednesday. Ukraine remain the only confirmed qualifiers from Europe other than hosts Germany, but Poland are on the verge of joining them and England, the Netherlands, Sweden, Croatia and Portugal are also sure of top-two finishes. All eight group winners qualify along with the two runners-up with the best records against the other top-six sides in their pool. The other second-placed teams meet in three home-and-away play-offs in November.

Group 1
Leaders the Netherlands, with the best record in any group, will definitely have at least a play-off place. The Czech Republic are four points adrift of the Dutch in second place and two points ahead of Romania, who have played a game more. Thus a point in the Czech Republic on Saturday would take the Dutch through, and even if they lose they need only beat F.Y.R. Macedonia four days later. Romania must win in Finland and hope the Czechs get only one point against the Dutch and Finns to finish second.

Group 2
Ukraine are certain to finish top. Greece and Denmark are two and four points respectively behind Turkey with a game in hand on Saturday - against each other. Victory would leave Greece requiring a win against Georgia to reach the play-offs, while a draw or a Danish win would bring Denmark's trip to Kazakhstan and Turkey's visit to Albania into play.

Group 3
Portugal are five points clear of Russia and Slovakia, and need only a draw at home against either Latvia or Liechtenstein to qualify. On Saturday, Slovakia and Russia play Estonia and Luxembourg before their showdown in Bratislava. The play-off contenders drew 1-1 in Russia.

Group 4
Switzerland and France currently occupy the top spots and are both one point above Israel - who have played a match more - and three in front of the Reoublic of Ireland. The top two meet in Berne on Saturday when Israel welcome the Faroes and Ireland visit Cyprus, with the Swiss in Dublin and France playing Cyprus four days later with all four teams still in the hunt.

Group 5
Italy are five points clear of Norway and Slovenia. A draw for Italy at home against Slovenia on Saturday would be enough to send them through, while on the same day Norway, who are second on head-to-head record, welcome Moldova and Scotland, two points adrift of the play-offs, play Belarus.

Group 6
Poland and England are already certain to finish as the top two sides. England are five points adrift of the Poles and need to win both of their remaining games - the latter of which is against Poland at Old Trafford - to claim top spot.

Group 7
Serbia and Montenegro are two points clear of Spain with Bosnia-Herzegovina one point further adrift, and Belgium still in the running on eleven points. Four points for Serbia and Montenegro from their games in Lithuania and against Bosnia-Herzegovina would give them qualification, with Spain to visit Belgium and San Marino, who also play the Bosnians on Saturday.

Group 8
Sweden and Croatia will finish in the top two. Sweden are a point clear but things could change as they meet Croatia in Zagreb on Saturday. An away victory for Sweden in that showdown would confirm qualification.

Runners-up
Groups 1, 6 and 8 remain the most likely to provide the best runners-up, and should the Czechs not defeat the Dutch on Saturday, Poland will be assured of one of those two berths assuming they do not top their pool.