Thursday 8 October 2015 14:16, UK
While England's place at Euro 2016 is assured, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland still have work to do to make the France showpiece.
All four nations are tantalisingly close to reaching the European Championships. Watch Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland live tonight on Sky Sports. Wales play on Saturday.
Republic of Ireland v Germany (Sky Sports 1, 7pm)
Scotland v Poland (Sky Sports 2, 7.30pm)
N Ireland v Greece (Sky Sports 5, 7.30pm)
Bos & Herz v Wales (Saturday, Sky Sports 2)
Here, ahead of the final round of qualifiers, we take a look at where they stand in their groups and hear from a former player on their nation's performances in qualifying so far - and their hopes of reaching next summer's tournament…
Where do Scotland stand in Group D?
Fourth-placed Scotland, with 11 points, trail Republic of Ireland by four points and second-placed Poland by six. Leaders Germany are out of sight for the Scots on 19 points.
What do they need?
Scotland can no longer qualify automatically for Euro 2016. If they at least pull level with Ireland they will go into the play-offs (due to their superior head-to-head record). To do that, Scotland need to take four points from their remaining fixtures (Poland at home, Gibraltar away), and hope Ireland fail to take points off Germany at home and Poland away. However, if they beat Poland and Ireland then do the same on Sunday, the Scots will finish third - assuming they beat Gibraltar - and Martin O'Neill's men will take the automatic spot, leaving the Poles in fourth place.
To qualify odds: 8/1 with Sky Bet
Expert view: Neil McCann
Scotland never do things easily. But against Poland at Hampden, with a massive crowd, I hope we can do it.
What do you make of Scotland's situation?
McCann says: "Defeat to Georgia in the previous round of fixtures was horrendous in terms of our aspirations for qualification. Looking at it now, it feels worse. If we'd beaten Georgia we'd have been guaranteed to be sitting on 17 points, as we'll defeat Gibraltar in our final qualifying game. Then you're looking at the Polish game, a home game, and considering automatic qualification. But now we're just hoping to go into a play-off situation. They're not nice games to play in, anyway. But that's the position we're in."
Can Scotland qualify?
McCann says: "Poland are a dangerous team to play - they have a front four who throw caution to the wind in attack and Robert Lewandowski up front has been on fire for Bayern Munich. But we can take confidence from the performance against Germany last time out [in a 3-2 defeat]. To score two goals against the world champions is a positive. It's well within our capabilities to get a win over Poland.
"Gordon Strachan may think a draw is a good enough result, if Ireland don't win their game. But it's a risk not to expect Ireland to pick anything up in their remaining fixtures. Scotland never do things easily. But at Hampden, with a massive crowd, I hope we can do it."
How has the team's performances gone down at home?
McCann says: "Scotland have been better under Gordon Strachan - and that's why the defeat to Georgia was so crushing. He's had a very positive impact on our game and we're improving. If you take away the Georgia result, the optimism has been pretty high, we've built momentum and played an attractive brand of football.
"The country has taken to Gordon, the squad have taken to what he's trying to achieve. But we're in a position where we're struggling to qualify again. I'm positive, though. I'm always positive. And I'll remain that way when we turn up against Poland at Hampden."
Where do Ireland stand in Group D?
Third-placed Ireland are on 15 points. They trail second-placed Poland by two points and leaders Germany by four. Fourth-placed Scotland are four points behind, but have a superior head-to-head record.
What do they need?
Ireland could still win the group with victory over Germany (at home) and Poland (away) in their remaining fixtures. Second spot - and automatic qualification for Euro 2016 - is currently a more realistic target but much will depend on Scotland's clash with Poland. Victory for Scotland and defeat for Ireland against Germany would leave Ireland needing to win in Poland, given the Scots complete their campaign away to minnows Gibraltar.
Qualification odds: 7/4 with Sky Bet
Expert view: Niall Quinn
The kids in Ireland are wearing Irish rugby jerseys now. We have to hope this team are good enough to qualify to rebalance that a little bit.
What do you make of Ireland's situation?
Quinn says: "A combination of Ireland gradually improving and Scotland having a ferociously bad result in Georgia has opened the door again. There are two very, very tough games to go to try to stay ahead of Scotland and it's not as simple as some might say. Germany are starting to run into form after an initial hangover after the World Cup. They're as strong as ever and we're playing them at a particularly bad time.
"Scotland will beat Gibraltar in the last game, we know that. It all depends on what Scotland do against Poland. Neil McCann and I, from day one, our heads have been melted trying to work out the twists and shifts. But the Georgia result Scotland had has transformed our chances and we have to capitalise."
Can Ireland qualify?
Quinn says: "Germany were a bit cold when we got a draw against them last October. They're a different beast now. I saw a relaxed Germany come to Dublin and score six in 2012. I can't see that happening again but a confident Germany are coming and are going to be very difficult. A point would be fantastic.
"If Martin can get something out of this game, we can say he's truly arrived as Ireland manager. Then it all depends on Scotland's result with Poland as to how we approach the final game. We need to take one game at a time."
How has the team's performances gone down at home?
Quinn says: "A couple of things have happened in this qualifying campaign which have perked Ireland's standing. One was Aiden McGeady's late winner against Georgia, which is critical as the group stands right now. The other was John O'Shea's late equaliser against Germany.
"They were two goals which showed the spirit in the squad is there, there's a never say die attitude around the place and players are starting to emerge and feel better about being international footballers. In general it's moved on to a pretty good place. But it's far easier to be positive if we get into a play-off from this group.
"The kids in Ireland are wearing Irish rugby jerseys now. We have to hope this team are good enough to qualify to rebalance that a little bit - and it would work wonders for the development of the game if they did. These internationals come slap bang in the middle of the Rugby World Cup.
"There's rugby fever in Ireland at the moment and it would be good to remind people that football deserves to be up at the top of people's conscience, in the national psyche. It's about how we see our footballers. It's important we give the people as much to talk about as the rugby lads do."
Where do Wales stand in Group B?
Wales lead Group B on 18 points, one point ahead of Belgium and five clear of third-placed Israel.
What do they need?
Wales need a solitary point from their remaining qualifiers against Bosnia (away) and Andorra (at home) to qualify for their first major tournament since 1958. Two wins would guarantee top spot. Even two defeats could see Wales automatically through to Euro 2016 as the best third-place finisher.
Group winner odds: 5/4 with Sky Bet
Expert view: Ian Rush
People say don't get carried away - but let's get carried away! The Wales fans deserve that and you can sense the excitement.
What do you make of Wales' situation?
Rush says: "I'm very pleased. We still need a point but if we don't qualify now we'll never qualify. You'd give anything to say all you need is a draw at home to Andorra to qualify and that's the position Wales are in because they've done really well. They've only conceded twice in eight games and been excellent in this campaign. They have two players in Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey who can win you games.
"But Ashley Williams has also played a major part, leading by example. All of the defenders have thrown their body in the way to stop goals going in. Defensively they've been well organised, difficult to break down and everyone has given that little extra. Chris Coleman deserves credit for that. He's got them organised, wanting to play for Wales. It's going to be a proud moment when they qualify."
How important has Gareth Bale been for Wales?
Rush says: "This all started for Wales away at Andorra, when they were losing 1-0 and playing on a ridiculous pitch. Gareth Bale won us the game that day with his two incredible goals. It was no one else, Bale won us the game. Even in the last minute he was chasing back at right-back because he was so desperate to win. When the supporters and other players saw that, they started to believe.
"They saw him scoring goals, working hard for the team and he was so proud after the game. Since then it's got bigger and bigger. Four thousand fans went over to Cyprus and we're nearly qualified now. Bale has led by example, not just by his goals but by his work rate as well."
How has the team's performances gone down at home?
Rush says: "Half of Wales will be in France next summer! I never qualified as a player so my next dream is to see Wales qualify in my lifetime for a major tournament. We're on the brink of it now. People say don't get carried away - but let's get carried away! The Wales fans deserve that and you can sense the excitement.
"Qualifying for France 2016 is a major step for this team. We can enjoy that now. Who knows, perhaps we can cause an upset next summer. They'll certainly make it difficult for teams. Then we can take that experience into the World Cup qualifying campaign. We're into the top 10 in the world rankings and will be seeded for those qualifiers. We mustn't let that slip."
Where do Northern Ireland stand in Group F?
Northern Ireland are top of their pool on 17 points, one point ahead of Romania and four clear of Hungary, who currently occupy the play-off spot.
What do they need?
Victory at home to Greece will guarantee Northern Ireland a place at Euro 2016. A draw or defeat will leave them needing to get a result away to Finland to secure an automatic spot, should Hungary defeat the Faroe Islands. Michael O'Neill's men are already guaranteed at least a play-off spot.
Group winner odds: 11/10 with Sky Bet
Expert view: Gerry Armstrong
There have been a lot of good individual performances but it's not about one player. It's about the team. Northern Ireland have to work hard and play as a unit, as a team, and that's what Michael's got them doing.
What do you make of Northern Ireland's situation?
Armstrong says: "It's still not done and dusted! The Greece game is not a straightforward game. It would have been more so if Kyle Lafferty, Conor McLaughlin and Chris Baird were available. But Michael's going to have to reshuffle the pack and see what he comes up with. Greece have had a couple of better performances in their last couple of games, too, which makes me nervous!
"But before the qualifying campaign started I'd have taken 17 points and hoped we'd make it through the play-offs. With two games to go, and one at home, I'm thinking if we can get 20 points and automatically qualify that would be incredible."
Who have been the key men for Northern Ireland?
Armstrong says: "Lafferty has scored seven goals and he's been amazing. Gareth McAuley has scored three times but his consistency in defence has been superb, while Steven Davis' passing and movement is great. I'm also liking what I've seen from Stuart Dallas and McLaughlin. There have been a lot of good individual performances but it's not about one player. It's about the team. Northern Ireland have to work hard and play as a unit, as a team, and that's what Michael's got them doing."
How has the team's performances gone down at home?
Armstrong says: "I definitely didn't see this coming. The results hadn't been great before this campaign but they got a great result away to Hungary, won in Athens and that gave them belief. Once you've got belief you can build on that. Michael O'Neill has turned them around and done a fantastic job - and that's great for football in Northern Ireland.
"The league is part-time in Northern Ireland and a lot of teams play on plastic surfaces. But the football heart is still there, the fans still turn out to support their team - and they're enjoying this run."
