September's qualifiers threw up more drama and there is still plenty to play for ahead of next summer's finals in Germany.
England and Scotland took further steps in the right direction, while Wales potentially reignited their campaign with a vital victory.
However, it was tough for Northern Ireland and the Republic, who look like they will be sitting it out next summer.
The next batch of qualifiers take place between 12th-17th October, before the last couple of rounds from 16th-21st November.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Scotland | 5 | 15 |
2nd | Spain | 4 | 9 |
3rd | Norway | 5 | 7 |
4th | Georgia | 5 | 4 |
5th | Cyprus | 5 | 0 |
Scotland may have been outclassed by England in their friendly but they deserve to be cut some slack after a fabulous start to qualifying.
Steve Clarke's side have won five out of five to accrue a perfect 15 points and lead Spain by six points, albeit La Roja have played one game fewer.
Norway, 9/2 to qualify, are also in the mix but the Scots are in control, although they will need to produce a performance when they head to Seville on 12th October.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | France | 5 | 15 |
2nd | Netherlands | 4 | 9 |
3rd | Greece | 5 | 9 |
4th | Republic of Ireland | 5 | 3 |
5th | Gibraltar | 5 | 0 |
France look well set to qualify for Euro 2024 but there is a fascinating battle behind them, with the Netherlands and Greece tied on nine points.
The Oranje's participation in the Nations League Finals means they are a game behind the other teams in Group B.
However, the Dutch demonstrated their superiority by beating the Greeks 3-0 in Eindhoven and will feel they have a cushion.
Although they are still to host France and face Greece in Athens, Ronald Koeman's side have chances to pick up points as they conclude their campaign against an ailing Republic of Ireland side and minnows Gibraltar.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | England | 5 | 13 |
2nd | Italy | 4 | 7 |
3rd | Ukraine | 5 | 7 |
4th | North Macedonia | 5 | 7 |
5th | Malta | 5 | 0 |
Italy did themselves a huge favour by beating Ukraine on Tuesday and, similar to the Dutch, are guaranteed a play-off place.
England lead the group on 13 points, with the Azzurri, Ukraine and North Macedonia all tied on seven.
The Italians lead that battle on goal difference but they are still to face England at Wembley and Ukraine on neutral territory.
They are just 1/4 to qualify and Luciano Spalletti's side may feel they have an advantage due to their remaining home fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Croatia | 4 | 10 |
2nd | Turkey | 5 | 10 |
3rd | Armenia | 5 | 7 |
4th | Wales | 5 | 7 |
5th | Latvia | 5 | 0 |
It looks all to play for in Group D, with four of the five teams still in with a chance of qualification.
Wales' win over Latvia could act as a catalyst to their campaign but Croatia and Turkey lead the way, while Armenia are making a real fist of qualifying for a first-ever major tournament as an independent country and are 6/1 to make it to Germany.
Robert Page's side are still to host both Croatia and Turkey in Cardiff and will believe they can qualify. However, even at 2/1, Wales' inconsistency is worrying and their trip to Yerevan could cause a headache.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Albania | 5 | 10 |
2nd | Czech Republic | 4 | 8 |
3rd | Moldova | 5 | 8 |
4th | Poland | 5 | 6 |
5th | Faroe Islands | 5 | 1 |
Defeats to Moldova and Albania have left Poland in danger of failing to qualify, with Albania the surprise leaders ahead of the Czech Republic and 2/1 to retain their place.
They host the Czechs in Tirana on 12th October, while the Euro '96 finalists are also set to travel to Warsaw in November.
Moldova have been the surprise package but they may live to regret only drawing with the Faroe Islands in the opening match of this campaign and could come unstuck when they play the other big teams in the pool.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Belgium | 5 | 13 |
2nd | Austria | 5 | 13 |
3rd | Sweden | 5 | 6 |
4th | Azerbaijan | 4 | 1 |
5th | Estonia | 5 | 1 |
Austria took a huge step towards qualification with victory in Sweden on Tuesday and the winner from the group looks set to be decided by their meeting with Belgium on 13th October. Belgium are 4/11 for top spot, with Austria 2/1.
The pair drew 1-1 in June and Belgium have subsequently won three in a row without conceding.
With Azerbaijan and Estonia very much also-rans, Sweden would need three wins and some significant fortune to qualify automatically.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Hungary | 4 | 10 |
2nd | Serbia | 5 | 10 |
3rd | Montenegro | 5 | 8 |
4th | Bulgaria | 5 | 2 |
5th | Lithuania | 5 | 2 |
Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro are trading blows in Group G but the Magyars' 2-1 win in Belgrade on Thursday could give them the edge, especially as they have a game in hand.
They are also due to host Serbia in Budapest on 14th October, while Montenegro head to Belgrade three days later.
The Brave Falcons are also due to take on the Hungarians in their final game and the way the fixtures have panned out hints that the Montenegrins could fall short at 20/1to top the pool.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Slovenia | 6 | 13 |
2nd | Denmark | 6 | 13 |
3rd | Finland | 6 | 12 |
4th | Kazakhstan | 6 | 12 |
5th | Northern Ireland | 6 | 3 |
6th | San Marino | 6 | 0 |
Northern Ireland's poor form and the presence of San Marino has allowed Group H to turn into a four-way battle.
Slovenia and Denmark are tied at the top, a point ahead of Finland and Kazakhstan. Those two meet on 17th October, three days after the Finns have visited Ljubljana and the Kazakhs have gone to Copenhagen.
Finland's closing fixtures against the Norn Iron and San Marino will give them hope and they are 4/5 to qualify, although Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's late winner in Helsinki on Sunday could prove to be the decisive moment in booking Denmark's place at the Finals.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Switzerland | 6 | 14 |
2nd | Romania | 6 | 12 |
3rd | Israel | 6 | 11 |
4th | Belarus | 6 | 4 |
5th | Kosovo | 6 | 4 |
6th | Andorra | 6 | 2 |
Switzerland took their time to get going but eventually eased past Andorra in their second September qualifier and ended the month two points above.
Romania kept pace, drawing with Israel before beating Kosovo. The Israelis host the Swiss on 12th October but it is hard not to be drawn to the game between the Skyblue and Whites and the Tricolorii in Jerusalem on 18th November.
The Romanians, just 2/5 to qualify, then finish up against Switzerland in Bucharest and will want to get the job done before then, with Israel, who are 5/4 to go through, concluding with an eminently winnable trip to Andorra.
Position | Team | Played | Points |
1st | Portugal | 6 | 18 |
2nd | Slovakia | 6 | 13 |
3rd | Luxembourg | 6 | 10 |
4th | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 6 | 6 |
5th | Iceland | 6 | 6 |
6th | Liechtenstein | 6 | 0 |
A perfect six wins from as many games means that Euro 2016 champions Portugal look well set to qualify but second place Slovakia, 1/6 to qualify, could be in jeopardy, with them still to visit the Selecao, Luxembourg and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The latter two have live chances of making their first-ever European Championships and their meeting on 16th November could effectively become a knockout game, especially with Luxembourg concluding their campaign against Liechtenstein.
Iceland will also retain hopes of qualification but on paper, at least, next month's match at the Stade de Luxembourg looks the most significant in deciding who goes through with Portugal.
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