The road to the 2022 World Cup is drawing to a close and all four of the Home Nations still have a chance of qualifying, although some have a much slimmer chance than others.
England are well on track to seal their spot in Qatar after easing past Andorra to strengthen their grip on top spot in Group I.
Scotland and Wales can be optimistic about securing a playoff spot but Northern Ireland look set to miss out after going down to Switzerland.
Three Lions Closing in on Top Spot
England require five points from their final three Group I outings to cement their place at the top of the standings after defeating Andorra 5-0 on Saturday.
They are unbeaten in 28 World Cup qualifiers and look set to make that 29 when they welcome Hungary to Wembley on Tuesday.
The Three Lions have avoided defeat in their last 14 meetings with Magyarok, winning 12 times during that streak, and it’s no surprise to see them as short as 1/6 to claim three points.
Gareth Southgate’s men take on second-placed Albania, who earned a third successive win when beating Hungary on Saturday, during the November international break before wrapping up the qualifying campaign away to San Marino.
Top spot might already be decided but the race for second and a route into the playoffs is still firmly up for grabs as Albania only sit one point clear of third-placed Poland.
Albania host Poland on Tuesday and victory for either nation could prove crucial in that race for second spot.
Playoffs a Possibility for Scotland and Wales
After a stuttering start to qualifying, which saw Scotland draw their opening two games in Group F, Steve Clarke’s men are riding a three-match winning streak.
Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win over Israel has put them in the driving seat for second place and run into the playoffs with Denmark, who sit seven points clear at the summit, seemingly uncatchable.
Craig Gordon was all of us at full time.#SCOISR pic.twitter.com/Z63p2CC3J7
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 10, 2021
Scotland, priced at 4/13 to win, head to 8/1 outsiders Faroe Islands, who have picked up just four points, on Tuesday and nothing less than a victory is expected.
The Scots ran out 4-0 winners in the reverse fixture and have won the last five meetings by an aggregate score of 18-1.
Denmark are already guaranteed at least a playoff spot and deserve a huge amount of praise for winning all seven of their fixtures without conceding a single goal.
Meanwhile, Wales are third in Group E after a 2-2 draw away to the Czech Republic but they are firmly in the running for second place.
They are level on points with the Czech’s, who are one place better off, after embarking on a four-game unbeaten run and they have a game in hand.
Wales can be backed at 20/33 to win when they head to 5/1 shots Estonia on Monday and they’ll be seeking revenge after being held to a goalless draw on home soil.
Baraclough’s Boys Limping Out
Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching the winter showpiece in Qatar were all but ended on Saturday after losing 2-0 to Switzerland.
The Swiss, who sit second, are now six points clear of Northern Ireland in Group C after with three games left to play.
NI head to Bulgaria on Tuesday as Switzerland travel to rock-bottom Lithuania and anything but a win for Baraclough’s men could officially end their chances of reaching the finals.
*All odds correct at time of writing
