Finals countdown moves closer

Catch the eye
Tonight, 18 qualifying ties take place around Europe. Those that catch the eye include Italy's visit to Finland - two sides looking to catch Wales in Group 9 - and the Athens meeting of Greece and Ukraine. The Greeks won in Spain on Saturday and, like their opponents tonight, now stand just a point behind Iñaki Sáez's Group 6 leaders.

Narrow margins
A number of the qualifying groups remain remarkably tight. Just three points separate the first four teams in Group 4, where Latvia are the surprise leaders from Sweden, Hungary and Poland. It is closer still in Group 5 where Germany and Scotland are level on eight points, followed by Lithuania on seven and Iceland on six.

Danes reunited
So to tonight's games. Group 2 leaders Denmark visit a Luxembourg side managed by former Danish hero Allan Simonsen, while Norway - level on ten points with the Danes after Saturday's defeat in Copenhagen - cannot afford a second successive setback at home to a Romania side just a point behind. (Click here for a full Group 2 preview)

Czechs eye summit
In Group 3, the Czech Republic can join the Netherlands on 13 points at the top of the section by beating a Moldova side buoyed by Saturday's win in Austria. The Austrians themselves are away in Belarus. (Click here for a full Group 3 preview)

Latvia at risk
Latvia could lose the leadership of Group 4 tonight as second-placed Sweden face Poland and third-placed Hungary visit San Marino; victories for both would see the Latvians drop to third. (Click here for a full Group 4 preview)

Close contest
In Group 5, leaders Germany will climb three points clear of Scotland if, as is expected, they defeat the Faroe Islands. Lithuania's home match against Iceland promises a closer contest; just a point separates the two, who both retain realistic hopes of qualifying. (Click here for a full Group 5 preview)

Six-pointer in Athens
Spain's hopes took a dent with defeat by Greece in Zaragoza and they will look to return to winning ways away to Nothern Ireland in Group 6. The Greeks, meanwhile, face another six-pointer at home to Ukraine. (Click here for a full Group 6 preview)

Pressure on
Group 7 leaders Turkey hope to stay above England by defeating F.Y.R. Macedonia tonight. England - two points behind but with a game in hand - can keep the pressure on by beating Slovakia. (Click here for a full Group 7 preview)

Second v third
Second meets third in Group 8 when Estonia take on Croatia. Neither team is at full strength and a draw would suit Belgium who would jump from fourth place to second provided they beat Andorra. (Click here for a full Group 8 preview)

Finnish threat
Helsinki hosts the meeting of Finland and Italy and the Azzurri will be in no doubt of the potential difficulties in store after the Finns' 3-0 defeat of Serbia and Montenegro on Saturday. Victory for Italy would lift them to within two points of Group 9 leaders Wales; Finland winning would close the gap to three points. Serbia and Montenegro, meanwhile, simply must beat Azerbaijan to keep their fading hopes alive. (Click here for a full Group 9 preview)

Swiss can consolidate
Finally to Group 10 where leaders Switzerland can consolidate their position with victory over Albania, and Ireland can maintain the pressure - and climb above Russia into second place - by beating Georgia. (Click here for a full Group 10 preview)