Next step for Wales and Latvia

Wales and Latvia look to consolidate their positions in their UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying groups today, as three qualifiers and 15 friendlies take place across Europe.

Odds on Latvia
Two of Wednesday's qualifiers could have a significant impact on the outcome of Groups 4 and 9. Latvia can go three points clear of Hungary at the top of Group 4 if they win in San Marino. The odds favour Aleksandrs Starkovs' side although he will be well aware that Latvia's last match against the Sanmarinese, a home FIFA World Cup qualifier, ended in a 1-1 draw that resulted in his predecessor, Englishman Gary Johnson, losing his job.

Wales hope to maintain start
In Group 9, Mark Hughes's Wales look to maintain their perfect record and will go five points clear of their nearest rivals if they win in Baku against Azerbaijan. However, the Welsh have been ravaged by injuries and withdrawals with Robbie Savage, Mark Pembridge, Andy Johnson, Jason Koumas, Craig Bellamy, Nathan Blake and Gareth Taylor all missing. "We have lost a few players but we have others to come in," said Hughes. "We realise it is a difficult game but we will apply ourselves well. My initial thought is not to change the side any more than I have to, we have had enough disruption already."

Azeri problems
Azerbaijan have problems of their own, with Zaur Tagizade injured and brothers Emin and Kamal Guliyev suspended. The Azeris have lost their opening two games and football in the country is undergoing a difficult spell. National coach Asker Abdullayev said: "It seems that no one in this country cares about football except coaches like me. Everyone else refused the job, but my friends came to me and said if I didn't take it on, who would?"

Mediterranean tussle
Wednesday's final qualifier sees Cyprus face fellow Mediterranean islanders Malta in Nicosia. Both sides are looking to get off the mark in Group 1 and join Israel and Slovenia on three points behind runaway leaders France.

Eye-catching friendlies
Elsewhere, there are friendlies across the continent as coaches look to fine-tune squads and systems for future qualifiers. Reigning European champions France face Yugoslavia in Paris without Zinedine Zidane while old rivals Germany and the Netherlands meet in Gelsenkirchen. Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni could do with a good result in Pescara against World Cup semi-finalists Turkey after a series of disappointments.

Hosts face Scots
EURO 2004™ hosts Portugal play improving Scotland in Braga in what could be caretaker coach Agostinho Oliveira's final game in charge. His mooted replacement, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup glory earlier this year, is expected to be in the stands. Portugal are without players from FC Porto and Boavista FC while Scotland are missing Rangers FC's Barry Ferguson. Nevertheless Scotland coach Berti Vogts said: "I am looking for a good result, good entertainment and a good performance from my team."