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Outside of CONCACAF and the USMNT situation, there are some big/meaningful games beginning tomorrow thru next Tuesday
UEFA:
The closest group is Grp I... Croatia, Iceland, Turkey, and Ukraine are all within 2 points of each other for the top 2 spots in the group. Croatia plays at Ukraine the final match, Iceland is at Turkey Friday.
Wales v Ireland on 10/9 should determine who finishes 2nd in their group
Montenegro v Denmark - both vying for the number 2 place in their group... behind Poland. If Montenegro wins they may need to draw or play Poland close in their final match.
Portugal v Switzerland on Tuesday. The Swiss have a 3 pt advantage, but assuming both win Saturday (as they should), the Swiss will at least a draw since Portugal has a huge advantage in GD. Whoever finishes 2nd will likely qualify in the play in game.
Netherlands v Sweden on 10/10 will be for the 2nd place finish in their group. Sweden has 3 points advantage and a +6 GD, so the Dutch need to lay it on Belarus in a big way on Saturday, and do the same to Sweden to overcome the GD.
Slovakia, Slovenia, and Scotland are all battling for the #2 spot behind England in their group. They all play at least one of each other too. Slovakia has the easiest road.
Greece and Bosnia battling for 2nd place behind Belgium. Greece with the easier road
Spain - some interesting distractions on Team Spain due to the political situation with Catalonia's referendum on Independence. Pique is getting jeered at open practices because of his outspoken stance supporting independence. At least one fan had a sign reading "Pique Out". Spain will qualify for the WC, but will be interesting to see how this plays out with the national team and the club teams located in Catalonia region (Barca, Espanyol, and Girona to name a few)
CONMEBOL
Other than Brazil, 7 (Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Ecuador) are vying for spots 2 thru 5 (5th place has to play New Zealand home and home).
All the matches mean something... Key matches are: Argentina v Peru, Venezuela v Uruguay, Colombia v Paraguay, Chile v Ecuador, Peru v Colombia, Ecuador v Argentina, Brazil v Chile, Paraguay v Venezuela.
AFC:
Syria v Australia in a home and home, winner will play the 4th place CONCACAF team in November.
UEFA:
The closest group is Grp I... Croatia, Iceland, Turkey, and Ukraine are all within 2 points of each other for the top 2 spots in the group. Croatia plays at Ukraine the final match, Iceland is at Turkey Friday.
Wales v Ireland on 10/9 should determine who finishes 2nd in their group
Montenegro v Denmark - both vying for the number 2 place in their group... behind Poland. If Montenegro wins they may need to draw or play Poland close in their final match.
Portugal v Switzerland on Tuesday. The Swiss have a 3 pt advantage, but assuming both win Saturday (as they should), the Swiss will at least a draw since Portugal has a huge advantage in GD. Whoever finishes 2nd will likely qualify in the play in game.
Netherlands v Sweden on 10/10 will be for the 2nd place finish in their group. Sweden has 3 points advantage and a +6 GD, so the Dutch need to lay it on Belarus in a big way on Saturday, and do the same to Sweden to overcome the GD.
Slovakia, Slovenia, and Scotland are all battling for the #2 spot behind England in their group. They all play at least one of each other too. Slovakia has the easiest road.
Greece and Bosnia battling for 2nd place behind Belgium. Greece with the easier road
Spain - some interesting distractions on Team Spain due to the political situation with Catalonia's referendum on Independence. Pique is getting jeered at open practices because of his outspoken stance supporting independence. At least one fan had a sign reading "Pique Out". Spain will qualify for the WC, but will be interesting to see how this plays out with the national team and the club teams located in Catalonia region (Barca, Espanyol, and Girona to name a few)
CONMEBOL
Other than Brazil, 7 (Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Ecuador) are vying for spots 2 thru 5 (5th place has to play New Zealand home and home).
All the matches mean something... Key matches are: Argentina v Peru, Venezuela v Uruguay, Colombia v Paraguay, Chile v Ecuador, Peru v Colombia, Ecuador v Argentina, Brazil v Chile, Paraguay v Venezuela.
AFC:
Syria v Australia in a home and home, winner will play the 4th place CONCACAF team in November.