Euro 2020

A good draw for the Republic of Ireland last night leaves them top of their group, albeit one distorted by number of games played. The qualifying is, of course, slightly complicated by the secondary qualifying route. So lets see how the home nations are looking:

ENGLAND
Simple group, and with the fall back of a guaranteed play off spot. England will qualify for Euro 2020.

SCOTLAND
The other home nation with a play-off spot guaranteed, this one may be needed. A win tonight at home to Russia will put them level on points with the second placed team, but with a far inferior goal difference - although H2H is the first decider.
As it stands, fellow guaranteed play-off place nations Serbia and Norway also look like needing the second chance. Finland, however, look in a good position for automatic qualifying, leaving the 4th slot open to Bulgaria or Romania.

WALES
Currently the worst placed of the British teams, 4th with 3 points from 3 games. Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia sit above them. However, their prospects of a play-off place are not too shabby. 7th in the Group B list, Ukraine, Denmark, Sweden and Russia all are in good positions to qualify automatically. Thats means alongside Bosnia and Austria, Wales would be in the play-offs. Like Scotland, this looks the most likely route.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
As said, a draw with Switzerland last night leaves the Irish top of the group. Automatic qualifying is probably the best hope, although as it stands all but 3 teams in League B are in auto qualifying positions so Ireland could get the 4th. With Denmark having a game in hand, and 3 points behind, and the Swiss 6 points but 2 games in hand, behind the Irish it is very tight.

NORTHERN IRELAND
Similar position to their Southern brothers. Top a group including Germany and Netherlands, but with the other 2 having games in hand. The play-off prospects are slightly worse than the Republics, finishing a place below. They could end up playing League A teams in the play-off if they end up in that route.

As it stands, we could still end up having all 5 of our teams at Euro 2020 (which will put England and Scotland in the same group with games being played at Wembley and Hampden Park). Would be great if it happened (Ireland will also host their own group stage fixtures if they qualify).


Other "interesting" stories building:

The new kids on the block, Kosovo, are very much in contention in Group A. They also have the fall back option of play-offs against (likely) Georgia, North Macedonia and Belarus.

Finland are second in Group J, and 5 points ahead of 3rd after 5 games each. They look in a very good position to qualify for their first major tournament, and have a guaranteed play off place if it doesn't happen through the group.

Israel are also looking to make a debut at the Euros, and are second in Group G. They stand a good chance of a play-off place if they don't succeed, although it could be against higher league opponents.