FIFA WC qualifying: UEFA Zone: How it stands

Portuguese midfielder Andre Martins (2L) is teased by teammates Nelson Oliveira (L), Beto (3L) and Antunes (R) during a practice session in Praia Del Rey near Obidos on October 9, 2013, on the third day their training camp in preparation for the World Cup 2014 qualifying football matches Portugal vs Israel

Group F: Russia and Portugal are the pace setters in this group and would fight tooth and nail for 1st and 2nd places. Fabio Capello’s side lead the Portuguese by a point with the Russians having two away matches against Luxembourg and neighbours Azerbaijan to contend with while Paulo Bento’s men have two home games against Israel, placed third by a distant five points, and Luxembourg to look forward to.

Matches on October 11: Azerbaijan v Northern Ireland, Luxembourg v Russia, Portugal v Israel

Group G: Bosnia’s first ever participation in a major international tournament since independence will be a reality if they beat Liechtenstein at home which looks a formality after Safet Susic’s men pumped in eight past their opponents on the opening matchday in Vaduz and then win in Lithuania four days later. Second placed Greece are level on points with the small Balkan nation on 19 points with a difference of 15 in terms of goal difference and would hope Bosnia drop points in addition to them winning against Slovakia and Liechtenstein.

Matches on October 11: Bosnia v Liechtenstein, Greece v Slovakia, Lithuania v Latvia

Group H: The tightest of all the groups with four teams from 1st to 4th having a definite shout for automatic qualification and play-off berth. England have destiny on their hands as two home wins against third placed Montenegro and fourth Poland at Wembley would ensure an automatic spot. On the penultimate day, Montenegro face Moldova knowing that a win against the minnows coupled with a victory against England would atleast ensure a top-two finish while Poland know that they have to beat second placed Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday before aiming to topple England and pave their way for a play-off spot or beyond.

Matches on October 11: England v Montenegro, Ukraine v Poland, Moldova v San Marino

WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION UEFA – GROUP H – FULL TABLE

Team Pl W D L GF GA +/- Pts

1 England 8 4 4 0 25 3 22 162 Ukraine 8 4 3 1 19 4 15 153 Montenegro 8 4 3 1 15 8 7 154 Poland 8 3 4 1 18 9 9 135 Moldova 8 1 2 5 4 15 -11 56 San Marino 8 0 0 8 1 43 -42 0

Group I: Spain and France are level on 14 points with the latter having played a game more which means home wins for the world champions against Belarus and Georgia would ensure an automatic qualification for Vicente del Bosque’s side while France a play-off spot. Les Blues entertain Finland in Paris on Tuesday which is their only qualifier to contend with this week.